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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Would you let your 12 year old do this?

93 replies

Homepride1 · 02/07/2015 19:44

Dd 12th birthday is coming up and she would like to take 3 friends to a theme park for the day, I really don't want to be sat on my own all day waiting around for them as they would rather go off alone, so was thinking that I could drop then at the gate (pay see then in) then pick them up at the gate again later at a agreed time!

They would all have phones with them and friends are all 12 as dd is a summer baby

If you were friends parents would you be ok with me suggesting this?

OP posts:

Whatthefucknameisntalreadytake · 02/07/2015 23:16

I've worked in a theme park and based on what I've seen I wouldn't allow it, there's a LOT of older teenagers getting up to all sorts in theme parks, we saw drug use, drinking, sex, fights etc on a very regular basis, mainly over excited 15-17 yr olds, so I would worry about a bunch of just turned 12 year olds navigating all that.

SistersofPercy · 02/07/2015 23:53

Finding a cafe and reading a book is all well and good when you aren't paying almost £50 for the privilege.

Mehitabel6 · 02/07/2015 23:58

Yes I would be fine. The theme park is too and 12 is the minimum age for doing that. Have some sensible rules about sticking together, what to do if they do get lost etc. They have phones and can get in touch. One of the safest places to go alone.

Tessbrookes · 03/07/2015 00:02

Wow, that's helpful, WhatTheFuck
Yup, Alton Towers, Chessington, and whatnot is full of fornicating teenagers by the dodgems and coke snorting by the teacups.
Not. Been to loads of theme parks, multiple times including the aforementioned and Gawd knows where you live but that's not the norm!

Mehitabel6 · 03/07/2015 00:07

A wonder anyone goes if it was like that! Never seen any of it.

SanityClause · 03/07/2015 00:10

I would be fine with this.

Make sure their phones have plenty of charge, and they have a plan for if they become separated, and can't get in contact by phone for some reason.

Mehitabel6 · 03/07/2015 00:19

It isn't as if they are going to a dodgy fair ground in the evening! It is very much in the daytime and family orientated.

imjustahead · 03/07/2015 00:19

i wanted to do this and was fine with it but the park we went to had a rule that under 18 had to be accompanied by someone 18 or over.

BertrandRussell · 03/07/2015 00:25

"there's a LOT of older teenagers getting up to all sorts in theme parks, we saw drug use, drinking, sex, fights etc........

I think you may be confusing Alton Towers with a Bank Holiday Fair on the local Rec........"

Tessbrookes · 03/07/2015 00:37

Finding a cafe and reading a book is all well and good when you aren't paying almost £50 for the privilege.

So, you use your head and take a beach type bag containing a fold up blanket for sitting on in case all the picnic benches are taken and sit out on the grass.
Some sandwiches, crisps, fruit, whatevers, a nice picnic. Enjoy it sprawled out on the grass with your book in peace.
No-one FORCES you to pay stupid prices to eat and drink if you're organised enough to bring your own nibbles and drinks!

nooka · 03/07/2015 00:46

Seems a bit young to me. I'd worry more about children getting sick or losing each other than rides crashing. Mostly because I get sick on rides and dd has had rides trigger her migraines, oh and she got heat stroke last time we went to a fair type place. I'd be concerned that just turned 12 year olds wouldn't be very well equipped to cope with anything too unexpected.

Italiangreyhound · 03/07/2015 00:49

I wouldn't. I think it is too young. Plus kids are all different so some older r younger ones are more or less mature, you can't always go on chronological age.

ScorpioMermaid · 03/07/2015 01:25

We had school trips to Alton Towers etc at this age when I was this age. The teachers went too but weren't seen all day until we all met up at the meeting point to get back on the coach. its just the same thing. They'll be fine but get permission first from their parents.

ScorpioMermaid · 03/07/2015 01:28

ignore my terrible first sentence there! yikes!

Mehitabel6 · 03/07/2015 05:06

I think that you have missed the point entirely Tessbrookes - it refers to the entry fee to get in which is the same whether you buy stuff in a cafe or sit on the grass with a picnic. I think that you will be forced to pay 'silly prices' to get in whether or not you partake in anything!

DawnOfTheDoggers · 03/07/2015 06:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cuppaand2biscuits · 03/07/2015 06:22

I would be fine with it but I'd make sure I checked first directly with the other parents and not through children incase they lied about it being fine.
My mum used to drop myself and my friends at a local theme park at 12.

SistersofPercy · 03/07/2015 09:48

Exactly mehit, thank you.

You are still paying a lot of money to sit around, even with a discount code.

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