Would you let your Year 10 dc do this?

[bendmeoverbackwards]

Get the tube into Central London on a school night to have a meal and see a show? And get the tube back afterwards? Or would you expect a parent to travel back with them?

I think that’s the right call. At that age they want a bit of independence but also still to be looked after too, and if your DH meets them and buys them something nice for the journey home that’s actually quite lovely and a nice end to the treat. It might be the case that the parents of the other girls might feel happier letting them go too in that case.

At 15 I would be happy taking my younger siblings across London on the tube during the day, and was pretty sensible and responsible - but I wouldn’t have been massively happy travelling late at night. 17/18 I was travelling back with friends on the last train out of London; but just 15 is just that little bit too vulnerable I’d say.

@bendmeoverbackwards

It's for my dd's 15th birthday. She wants to see a show in town with 2 friends. I would drop them at the tube station, it's an easy journey without any changes. It's the coming home I'm worrying about. If necessary dh could stay late at work (he works in town) and could accompany them home.

Do that then. Problem solved.

Nope. But then I’ve been mugged at a tube station and separately also threatened with a knife on a tube train. Plus groped on tube I dunno how many times.

The problem isn’t your DC, it’s the drunks they may meet.

At 10. No way to any of it without an adult

We don’t live in London but I’d let my kids go to our nearest city to do this. I would pick them up after though, there’s lots of trouble on buses/trains here late at night. Alternatively, they would get an Uber.

I also think that for a nice birthday treat, yes they would probably be absolutely fine, but you also don’t want anything to ruin it, so your DH being there also just avoids the possibility that some drunk jerk or whatever spoils the experience of her birthday treat on the journey home.

they are 15 I would def get DH to stay late and meet them to come home. Far too many horror stories and if you can be safer why wouldn't you

@MrsBlondie

At 10. No way to any of it without an adult

Year 10, not ten years old.

If they’re used to the tube/trip/area then yes. We don’t live in a city so I’d say no to my year 10 dd but she’d end up in Birmingham or similar… if yours is more streetwise then sure. Mine does go into the nearest city with friends for the cinema etc

I wouldn't. I live in London and hate using the tube in the evening. People who have been drinking, large groups of teens etc. I'd get someone to meet them and accompany them home.

My DC did at this age as a one off to see a gig at the O2. For a special occasion I think it's fine.

One of my DCs year group got an unprovoked punch in the face on the train. There was a group of them and they didn't have a clue what to do. It was on the train CCTV but they never caught the attacker. The other boys were traumatised. These were year 8 boys at the time, so around 12. It was daytime and it was outside London. Having lived in London most of my life, I would say no. Even I feel a bit iffy at that time but that depends on what line it is and what stations it travels through. In other words what people may be getting on and off. Are there any changes.... It would still be a no for me regardless at that time.

Yes, and have done. But I would probably meet her at the tube on the way home.

My Dc have regularly travelled independently round London at after-show time, and I have always used public transport late at night across London for work and nights out.

I would be happier on a week night than on a Fri or Sat night.