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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to send ds to the shop?

34 replies

NippyDrips · 19/01/2013 11:21

Ds is 7.9, sensible lad.

Shop is 5 min walk at most, we live in a quiet area, even more so with the snow.

Ds would have to cross 2 roads but they are not busy, rarely see a car other than school drop off/pick up and people who live here as there is nothing else round here so no through traffic.

I feel like he would prob be ok, but the over protective mother in me is shrieking NO!

So mighty mumsnetters.... Wibu to send him?

OP posts:
mollymole · 19/01/2013 11:22

Why can't you go with him ??

Nancy66 · 19/01/2013 11:23

I wouldn't send my 7 year old but that's because he is as daft as a brush and we live in a busy area of London.

Don't know - still seems a bit young to me but i wouldn't think you were terrible or irresponsible if you did. If that makes any sort of sense.

HousewifeFromHeaven · 19/01/2013 11:23

No.

DoingTheBestICan · 19/01/2013 11:24

Do you have younger dc? Is that why you can't go with him? Not sure I would let my ds go tbh.

seeker · 19/01/2013 11:25

If he's happy to go, then yes of course, under those circumstances. But only if he's happy to go.

MrsKeithRichards · 19/01/2013 11:25

Why not?

WorraLiberty · 19/01/2013 11:25

I don't understand these threads where people ask if they should let their kids go to the shop...and then describe a scenario where it's 99.99% unlikely that they would ever come to any harm.

He's your DS and only you know him and your area Confused

mrsjay · 19/01/2013 11:26

what seeker said if he is sensible and can be there and back within 5 minutes let him go, I started letting mine go at around 8 I used to 'time' them so it was a race and they didn't doddle .

OrangeLily · 19/01/2013 11:27

Yes

DefiniteMaybe · 19/01/2013 11:27

If I'm still living in the same place when my ds is that age I'd send him. I can see the shop from where I live and no roads to cross either though.

OrangeLily · 19/01/2013 11:28

Ah sorry stupid phone

Yes it's OK if goes so YANBU

feellikearubbishmummy · 19/01/2013 11:30

I wouldnt at 7 years old

mrsjay · 19/01/2013 11:31

he is nearly and the shop isn't far maybe the boy has asked to go or mum can't get out or 'something'

mrsjay · 19/01/2013 11:31

8* sorry

kissmelittleass · 19/01/2013 11:32

Does he know how to cross the road? if you feel he would be safe let him go personally I wouldn't but thats me only you can answer the question

PrettyKitty1986 · 19/01/2013 11:33

Yes you are IMO. I think 7 is too young regardless of quietness of roads/only 5 minutes away etc. I've never met a 7 year old old enough to be responsible for themselves, even the more mature ones.

Original poster
NippyDrips · 19/01/2013 11:38

I can go with him, he just wants to go. He is a very helpful lad and always wants to do things.

I never know what age children should do things so tend to be over cautious, just wondered if this was one of those times.

Seems quite a split of opinions here though.

OP posts:
ChippingInNeedsSleepAndCoffee · 19/01/2013 11:46

If he wants to go you aren't sending him, you are letting him go (or not!) there's a significant difference.

He's quite old enough to do that if you are happy he will stop and look for cars at each of the roads and not just assume there wont be one.

coldcupoftea · 19/01/2013 11:47

I work in a year 3 class, so they are all 7/8 year olds... I would say there are a handful of kids un the class who would be sensible enough to do this, and an even larger handful who I would fully expect to spend all the money on sweets then run off to make snow angels and forget all about coming home Grin

You know DS best!

Original poster
NippyDrips · 19/01/2013 12:25

Haha coldcupoftea I can imagine a lot of kids would do that. I just asked ds if he would and his reply -

Well I would get what you wanted and then cos I am kind I would get 3 packs of sweets so you and ds could have some.

Hmmm I do like sweets...

OP posts:
KatyTheCleaningLady · 19/01/2013 12:39

I think he can do it. He presumably knows the route and it sounds quiet. I think he'd get a big thrill from doing it.

5madthings · 19/01/2013 12:41

What seeker said :)

feellikearubbishmummy · 19/01/2013 12:44

Yeah actually I think I would under clear instructions. Its handy having this option of a child keen to go to the shop. my teenage dd has never wanted to go for me Sad

Original poster
NippyDrips · 19/01/2013 12:50

feellike I am sure the novelty would soon wear off with him.

We need packed lunch stuff so going to Asda instead, now Wibu to send him in with a list while I sit in the car?

Just joking of course Smile

OP posts:
FreePeaceSweet · 19/01/2013 12:51

Ds is 8 and goes if I need him to. He doesn't have any roads to cross at all as its around the corner. I did get worried one time as he hadn't come back (it takes 5-10 mins max depending on how busy it is) so I asked dh to go and see where he was. He came back without him. I started panicking and went myself. I couldn't see him so I asked the shopkeeper if he'd seen him. He pointed to the image on the screen. He was kneeling down reading comics in the next aisle. He got a rollicking but of course I was relieved. We stopped sending him but he asked to be trusted again. He hasn't done that or anything similar since.

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