To refuse to let DD go to Chessington with School

[RachelRagged]

DD has a school trip to the above coming up.

Due to Alton Towers I am already nervous. Now there is talk of attacks in the UK and theme parks would be a good place to cause shit load of damage. Am I being overanxious or would you be the same as Me ?

I've been to Chessington since the Alton Towers crash, I'd happily take DD into London tomorrow if she wasn't at school. Don't let fear of events which are so rare that they are newsworthy limit your daughters life.

Sorry, yabu. The chances of something extreme happening to your daughter is minuscule. The likelihood of something exactly the same as what happened in AT and Tunisia, happening in Chessington is very, very, very small. I'm afraid if you think like this, you and your daughter may as well never leave your home again. Can't live life fearing what 'might' happen.

The Alton towers link I understand although the rides that were of similar construction and with safety fears were closed.

But the terror link yes I think you are over reacting totally I'm sorry. the thing is what talk means is that the security services are on alert to prevent them. The thing is your teaching your daughter to be fearful, and I honestly believe while their are people that wish other people harm that's a very small percentage. And being scared to do anything cos there might be an attack or some one might mug or harm you really isn't the way most people live.

And won't she be left out if all her mates are going and have a wonderful time it's not something she'll thank you for.

Yes take precautions, but don't stop doing things that might involve a riisk because that's pretty much life.

A child in my LO's class (junior school) isn't allowed on Any school trips. It's very sad.
(They also had a trip to London after the French attack, and another child also didn't go because of it.)

2015: There was one major incident at Alton Towers prompting other theme parks to undertake safety checks
June 2015: school coach crash in Belgium
No 'terrorist related' incidents or threat aimed at theme parks in UK (to our knowledge)
A total of 146,322 personal-injury road traffic accidents were
reported to the police in 2014. Of these accidents, 1,658 resulted in at least one fatality.
Do you let your children travel by car or on public road transport?
We worry about our children - that's normal.
The aim of terrorism is not to kill people, that's a side effect. The aim is disrupt normal life and frighten people - terrorise them.
Try not to restrict your life and that of your children by worrying. Just take reasonable means to keep them safe. Keep things in proportion. That's all any of us can do.
Life can be scary - but we only get one go at living it.

It's harsh to say you're being unreasonable or over anxious . You're being a loving mum. Something awful has happened in Tunisia this week and the Alton Towers accident is preying on your mind. I woke up on Saturday night and decided I'd cancel our holiday to Egypt this summer and not go shopping at the Trafford Centre the next day.In the cold light of day I didn't do either but I know how you feel. Let your daughter go on her trip.She'll be back before you know it .

Over anxious.

If the school are still prepared to run the trip then I'd let her go. Schools are not that keen on taking unacceptable risks with the children that they are responsible for.

My DD with SN went to Paulton's Park with school a week after the accident at Alton Towers. It did cross my mind not to let her but I'm glad I let her.

over anxious.

some short memories/lack of history here. I worked in London during the height of the IRA bombings and hoaxes. Found more ways to get home than I knew were possible.

the threat is not much than it was then. The road deaths have dropped a bit but are still the biggest risk for most kids.

you live in a very safe and privileged country (which is why many hate us). Be grateful and carry on.

I totally understand why you feel as you do.

But you should let your DD go.

Hi op.

I can't dismiss your fears as easily as the rest of the posters as presumably their child hasn't been involved in a fatal coach crash on a school trip. My dd was and badly injured as a result.

I have very serious reservations about the safety of overnight coach travel with drivers spending hours at the wheel. It's not as regulated as we all fondly hope and not every driver availed themselves of the sleep times allocated to them. been though they should.

So no we wouldn't allow her to do 24 hour coach trips again even supposing she physically and mentally could. She could not.

however the safety of theme parks is excellent. The response of Alton Towers exemplary and I am sure they are even more safe now following this tragic accident.

As for terrorist attacks! My dh was right by the exploded bus just walking past the GMC building on 7/7. You truly cannot live your life worried about terrorists as that way lies insanity and of course they then have won.

Let her go. Pm me if you need any more support.

YABU
Your attitude is far more harmful to her than the tiny, tiny risk.
Of course you are anxious but that is your problem and should be kept firmly to yourself. If you can't manage that then get professional advice.

I'm assuming she is in high school and it is the big end of year blow out you need to let her go. Plenty of posters on here have given a rational perspective. Bet she doesn't give too hoots

YANBU I wouldn't let my child go. My child isn't going on the annual school trip for other reasons. Don't care what anyone else thinks. They are mine so my choice. I have live with consequences of my decisions, no one else.

She is 9 ..

Yes ridiculously overanxious is likely . . I take ADs for depression and anxiety . . Ha best up the dosage. My sister said let her go, life is for living . True enough .. She can go but I will still fret all day.

special I was thinking that. I think there was a very brief period between the IRA and the current terrorism when there weren't bombs, threats, warnings and so on. Apart form that, I have spent my whole decades of life under one set of violent idiots or another. You have to live your life.

I think you're being over anxious - but then I'm off to alton towers at the weekend. I think it will be safer than ever.

I'm glad you are letting her go.

I too would fret all day.

That's why MN was invented....to take your mind of things like this.

She's be home safe and well before you know it. x

Rachel you will fret. I know I do but I want DD to be happy, healthy and experience all life has to offer.

The IRA attacks only really stopped after the Twin Towers, when Americans experienced terrorism for the first time, stopped supporting the IRA and declared their war on terror. So there was no break.

Apologies for the assumption but glad she is going

Well done. Of course you will fret- just don't let her know.

Wow Denim. Just wow. So sorry for your experiences. But what a lovely supportive post.
I too suffer with anxiety. My DS is abroad with school. I will admit to suffering with anxiety at the best of times but putting him on that coach after the Tunisia attacks required more than a few deep breaths.
Can you find something to do to occupy you for the day? It's best to avoid giving yourself time to brood.
I refuse to live my life cowed and worried. I won't stop my kids living their lives but if they want to travel on a gap year I may need medicating!

I wouldn't think theme parks would be particular terror targets at all - trends seem to be extremely large crowds in close proximity (eg stations) or symbolic ones (eg recently foiled Woolwich one). Not helpful in general I know, but I don't think British theme parks fall into those camps.