First shopping trip to london

[4am]

Dd is going on her first shopping trip to London today - she's 17.5 and going with a friend. They are meeting at a station part way around midday and then travelling up together.

They are going to hip market area (not west end shops etc) to soak up the vibe and rummage the vintage shops.

What's a reasonable get home by time?

I'm saying by dinner time, so 7.30pm.
She's pushing for me to be more flexible- but realistically she'll run out of money way before then 😅.

We live around 45/60 mins away by train.

7.30 is reasonable, right?

She's been to London loads of times with me and once with other friends for an activity.

I'm just questioning myself.

Why so early? YABU

She’s nearly an adult - let her come home when she’s home - I would expect a couple of text when she’s on her way back.

She's 17 - leave her to come home when she wants, for goodness sake.

London will be packed today, as will transport in and out. I would be a bit flexible she is very nearly an adult.

I didn’t have any curfew at that age. Live 20 mins away from London by train. Your time is crazy early for a nearly 18 yr old. Crazy.

This is the advice I need.

I did say that I'm questioning myself didn't I?

Hence the post.

Goodness, at 17 I wouldn’t have been negotiating a home time with my mum - I’d have simply told her roughly when to expect me (ie “not home for dinner” or “probably not until late late”)

They’re going to Camden I assume? She’ll love it - fondly remember my first trip there, I was in my element!

God don’t go today!! The crowds will be madness. Let her go without curfew next weekend.

Yes, yes, of course - you are all right.

I just need to make sure she has enough money and a fully charged phone.

Thanks for making me see sense- what's a reasonable £pocket money fund for her to take? She has some left over birthday money, maybe I should top it up? What's reasonable? Nefer been to Camden myself.....

It’s light still at 10pm so I would say before it gets dark and make sure to check return train times and text me when on train as I’ll collect her from local station and to have a great day

It's all arranged for today with her friend- it's been cancelled a few times already by them for various reasons and I don't want to be the one to say not today.

Tbh she won’t be able to string out Camden all day, it’s 2-3 hours max in my opinion but I am not a 17 year old. On less busy side of road there is new development with lots of food etc and plenty of places to just sit and hang out and watch the canal boats. Lunch is around £15 I reckon including drink.

Today is perfect day. It’ll be busy but it always is

I went to camden on Wednesday it was busy not not horrific . At 17 I was clubbing it at camden through the night 😁

Dd1 is the same age and I wouldn’t give her a set time unless she wanted a lift home from the station and then we’d have to agree a time that is mutually convenient.

Nephew, aged 21 came to UK for first time. Arrived with basically no money. On day 1 he spent an entire day in Camden, alone. Didn't spend much as didn't have any hut loved it!!! Went back the next day and had a job by dinner time.

He was older, yes, but had never been to London ever.

My point is thatbat this age, you'd be amazed how they can entertain themselves for hours with almost no money!

730 for a 17 yo?!?!

It’s summer, it’s light and there are loads of people around. She might want to grab a bite before she comes back.

I’d maybe say catch train about 9 to be home by ten - of course if she come home earlier, fine.

Depends what she's into really. Camden is much less interesting than it used to be and they recently closed one of the best vintage stores. There's lots of things to spend money on if she's a shopper, but not much in the way of alternative anymore.

@nearlyspringyay - read the thread!

I got the message 😅 that's why I posted for advice.... she can come back later - I just forget she's almost 18, even though I know she is iyswim ....

At 17 I was taking the train from Glasgow to the south of France, and my kiddo complains about getting the tube to Wimbledon.

kids today, eh?

They've changed their minds and gone to Brighton for the day instead.
I can't keep up!