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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not take my 3 children to the theatre on Saturday? Terrorism related.

199 replies

Kingfisherfree · 18/11/2015 22:08

I know I am being U but I feel anxious about going to a major city and being confined in a theatre. I have even looked at the seating plan to see how we would get out.

OP posts:
cdtaylornats · 18/11/2015 23:28

You could be sat in a pub and be hit by a helicopter.

Random things happen. At the moment I decided not to go to the Christmas Fare in Glasgow today but that was to do with visibility being zero due to this months rain falling today.

If you think about it most mass killings in the UK like Hungerford and Dunblane haven't involved terrorists, just deranged individuals and they happened in small towns.

Babyroobs · 18/11/2015 23:42

I too suffer from anxiety. I am worried about my teenage son going to a premier league match at the weekend, and worried about even going to a shopping centre , but I won't let it stop me. As others have said it's wise to take sensible precautions.

Francoitalialan · 18/11/2015 23:57

Hmm. YABU, cos in real life it's proper bollocks, you've more chance of crashing the car on the way there.

But, I don't allow grapes in the house after my boss choked on one right in front of me. (He passed out and wet himself first and scared the life out of us.)

RealityCheque · 19/11/2015 00:06
Biscuit
LaurieMarlow · 19/11/2015 00:40

We'll cancel treats like this - yet at the same time we get into cars without a moments thought.

Human beings are odd have fuck all understanding of risk

Translator1000 · 19/11/2015 06:26

But, I don't allow grapes in the house after my boss choked on one right in front of me. (He passed out and wet himself first and scared the life out of us.)

Shock Did your boss die Franco?

OP I took my dds to the theatre in London last Saturday and they did check my bag though only one compartment of it. Am more scared of the tube tbh, than the theatre. The likelihood of your theatre being attacked at the time you are there is small.

IguanaTail · 19/11/2015 06:35

If you feel really scared then stay at home.

I'm going to the theatre tonight in central London and really looking forward to it. If I felt as worried as you I think I would just stay at home. The whole point is for a fun night out.

Hi5Hello · 19/11/2015 06:36

I work in London and I am very to report there are a lot more armed police about both seen and If you have worked in London for a while and know where to look - unseen to most visitors

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 19/11/2015 06:39

The only places we should be avoiding going are Syria, Iraq and a few other middle eastern countries IMO
You can't live your life in fear. Yes you can probably avoid a terrorist attack by never leaving a 10 mile radius of your house but that's no way to live life.

WiryElevator · 19/11/2015 06:45

We went to theatre in Central London on Sunday, more security than usual checking bags etc, and a much more visible police presence on streets. I felt totally safe.

IguanaTail · 19/11/2015 06:47

All the checking and police presence in the world can't stop a suicide bomber. You just have to get on with it.

Translator1000 · 19/11/2015 06:49

Actually it was Sunday we went not Saturday! What did you see Wiry? We saw Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance but without him in it sadly.

Savagebeauty · 19/11/2015 06:51

I live in London and feel safe. Ds is off to the 02 next week with friends.... He'll be fine.
On Tuesday a 14 year old girl from his school was killed crossing the road ...puts terrorist fears into perspective

Translator1000 · 19/11/2015 06:58

On Tuesday a 14 year old girl from his school was killed crossing the road

Sad That's terrible. My 13 and 11 year olds walk to and from school and the thought of something like that happening really scares me.

There was also the 13 year old who was killed by a lorry in Merton this week or last week Sad.

WiryElevator · 19/11/2015 07:01

We saw Sean Lock and a bunch of other comedians at a charity gig. Just DH and I, got a babysitter for DC.

Translator1000 · 19/11/2015 07:05

Smile Sounds good.

Speederman · 19/11/2015 07:07

1500 people were in the Bataclan. ''Only'' 89 lost their lives. 6%.

It was horrendous but perspective is needed.

Sansoora · 19/11/2015 07:25

Kingfisher, life really does have to go on. Flowers

OTheHugeManatee · 19/11/2015 07:31

YABU. The objective threat level hasn't changed since before the Paris attacks. If anything you're safer right now because the authorities are on high alert.

Go enjoy life and don't let them win.

Buxtonstill · 19/11/2015 07:33

I work in a theatre in central London. We have bag checks, and there is cctv all over the theatre that is monitored remotely off-site.

Kacie123 · 19/11/2015 07:45

Go! Chances are it'll be fine and otherwise you will end up living in fear, which isn't a good thing, terrorism or not.

There are a few things you can do to help feel a bit more in control -

  • when you're there, eye up the emergency exits; know where the nearest hospital is; have an alternate route planned home on the offchance your main one was blocked somehow (useful anyway even if no threats around).
  • maybe pack a few extras in your bags - some food/cereal bars, extra juice, possibly those teeny tiny emergency blankets or handwarmer things and a first aid kit. If anything DID happen where you are (again, very very unlikely) you probably wouldn't know much about it. You're more likely to might end up stuck indoors for a few hours with some hungry restless kids, or waiting at a freezing train station with a typically late train.

And try to enjoy the day - your kids definitely will. I'm off to London this weekend, have been looking forward to it for ages Smile

ihateminecraft · 19/11/2015 08:22

"That's terrible. My 13 and 11 year olds walk to and from school and the thought of something like that happening really scares me."

Arghhh it's got me worried about my son now, not given it much thought before. I wasn't too worried about going into London either until the OP and school cancelling a trip there because too many parents expressed concern. Stop it people!

Original poster
Kingfisherfree · 19/11/2015 08:26

So would you explain to the children with ages ranging from 14-9 what they should do in an attack? They are aware of what has happened in Paris.

For example, to not scream, make eye contact with attacker, if separated find cover behind thick wall, hide, and to run with me etc - or is that just expecting too much?

OP posts:
Mehitabel6 · 19/11/2015 08:30

I think that in an attack you go into panic mode- you don't calmly think of any advice you have been given!

It is highly unlikely. You don't give children tips of what to do in a car crash, which is far more likely to happen.

flowery · 19/11/2015 08:37

We're booked to go to the theatre in London on Saturday afternoon. Didn't occur to me not to go to be honest. I can't live my life like that. DH commutes to London every day anyway, and the day after 7/7 we were both on the train to Kings Cross and getting the tube as normal.

Should no one travel to or in London? Should no one go to bars, restaurants, concerts or football matches? Who wants to live like that? No chance.

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