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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

School Trip to London EYE

130 replies

WhatwouldYOUdotoo · 17/04/2016 11:21

We live near London, and we visit London on a frequent basis.

We usually go at the weekend, and go on short tube journeys, use the bus to get round etc etc etc.

So I am not afraid of going to London.

But DD school trip is making me feel VERY ANXIOUS.

Its on a week day, and on a Friday, by train and tube into London then a trip to the London Eye.

I would prefer it if they went by coach. I would prefer it if they didnt go on a Friday, I would prefer it - if they were not visiting the Eye.

I know life goes on, I know we shouldnt change our habits due to terrorists, I know all that, I have said I am happy for her to go, but at the same time,

We are at heightened risk,

The people in the KNOW say we WILL BE ATTACKED not IF.

The London EYE has been mentioned several times as KEY target.....

I am worried about them being on the tube and train.

I feel very anxious and worried about this.

I know the chances of her being killed in a coach crash are higher but I am nervous....why court danger?
I have lost people close to me very suddenly with no warning...I know life hangs by a thread.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatwouldYOUdotoo · 17/04/2016 11:45

If they were going by coach to say the NHS or science museum, or even perhaps monument I wouldn't be as worried and wouldn't have posted. They did go on a trip to london last year and I cant off the top of my head even remember where because it was by coach to somewhere inane.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 17/04/2016 11:45

They won't be travelling during rush hour though. It wouldn't be worthwhile for terrorists to blow up public transport, at any other time.

Original poster
WhatwouldYOUdotoo · 17/04/2016 11:46

Thank you foragogo, your making me feel better Grin

OP posts:
OutToGetYou · 17/04/2016 11:46

Not sure what your question is but your levels of anxiety are unreasonable, as is your use of capitalisation.

I wouldn't want my child to go on a school trip to the London Eye because it is expensive and not really educational. But hey ho.
Dss never goes on school trips because he constantly forgets to bring the forms home and by the time we see them it is full anyway.

In my memory there has always been the threat of terrorism around London, as a child I was petrified the IRA were going to blow places up when I went to them.

Original poster
WhatwouldYOUdotoo · 17/04/2016 11:48

Not in MY memory though OUTTOGETYOU and I stand by my use of Caps if it assists in the reading of my OP.

OP posts:
Griphook · 17/04/2016 11:49

Just to add while anxiety is a concern, it also keeps us safe, it teaches us to beware of dangers. I think it's natural to be concerned about your child's safety while traveling into London and whilst visiting a landmark. I think you are completely normal in that respect.
I think the school has made the wrong call here and I'd almost think I'd want to look at the risk assessment just to make a point.

WorraLiberty · 17/04/2016 11:51

Are you suggesting that anyone who doesn't understand your OP, has poor eyesight rather than misunderstanding what you're saying? Confused

Perhaps the misunderstanding is coming from your repeated use of capital letters? It does make your thread a bit harder to read.

Just a thought.

MuttonCadet · 17/04/2016 11:52

Nothing wrong with being concerned, I've chosen, for the last few years, to holiday in the UK, if I don't have to be travelling through an airport then I don't.

foragogo · 17/04/2016 11:52

good - the standard MN response is to say you are suffering from anxiety get to the GP asap. I dnt thibk that's the case here. you only wrote what and every other parent I know thinks when their child goes on a school trip into London (or Manchester, or Birmingham or any other big city I imagine).

This is of course sad in itself as fear is the main aim of terrorism. however it's just that, fear, we aren't stopping our children having these experiences, we just worry about it. and I say that as someone that is very independent and fearless in everyday life.

I am sure the schools are aware of this fear and the atmosphere we are living in these days. They like us haveto minimise the worry by consoling ourselves that London is one of the most heavily cctvd citiets in the world and that security is very tight and active. and as others have said, public transport is surely most vulnerable at rush hours and if you were going to attempt to attack a tourist hotspot, you'd want maximum crowds - which isbsurely not when a school trip would plan to be there.

jollygoose · 17/04/2016 11:54

I understand completely op - my dd is 30 and I feel uneasy when she visits London well done for not showing your worry.

pantsjustpants · 17/04/2016 11:54

I remember living in London in the 70'same. My dad worked in the city as MD of a large company that had threats. His car was checked everyday for bombs. I also remember being evacuated from shops due to scares, and it was scary!

I can understand your anxiety, I don't think you're over reacting either. At the moment, we don't need to go to London so we don't.

Incidentally, why the London Eye for a school trip? Is it linked to a school topic?

WakeUpFast · 17/04/2016 11:56

You're being RIDICULOUS.

caroldecker · 17/04/2016 12:00

there are 4 million London eye visitors a year, with 800 on at any one time. Even if it was blown up, and all occupants killed, that is a 1 in 5,000 chance of death.
The annual risk of dying on the road is one in 20,000.
Therefore one London Eye trip every 5 years is less likely to hurt you than travelling there, even if it was attacked every year.
Any fear/anxiety about terrorism is unreasonable.

ilovesooty · 17/04/2016 12:01

People have to go to work in London every day. I'm sure some of them have to work on Fridays at the London Eye.

And the capitals don't assist me at all in terms of readability.

foragogo · 17/04/2016 12:01

it's not unreasonable it's statistically unlikely. that's not the same thing.

PerspicaciaTick · 17/04/2016 12:05

I don't work in London anymore (nothing to do with bombings) and I am relieved to only have to travel if we really need to or there is something specific we want to do. We no longer pop up to town just because we fancy a change of scene, as I used to do regularly.
Having said that, although I would feel exactly like the OP, I would also let my child go on the school trip.

BeaufortBelle · 17/04/2016 12:07

We lived in London from 1980 until last year. I missed the Harrods bomb by seconds because I remembered I wanted to go to Boots over the road. DH still works in Central London. DD is at school on the outskirts 6th form and often catches the tube to town on exeat afternoons for specialist music/theatre shops - I don't necessarily know when. DH flies a lot.

I think you may need some help for your anxiety. Do you worry about this about other things too? How old is your DD? Could you accompany the trip if she's still primary.

I live the London Eye and feel as the views are amazing it is educational because it opens up discussions about famous landmarks, why they are there, what the Thames used to be and is used for now.

She'll have a fab time and come home bouncing with excitement.

wheresthel1ght · 17/04/2016 12:07

At the risk of being flamed your level of anxiety is bordering on hysteria.

I grew up in London at the height of the IRA attacks, I was on the London eye a week after the 7/7 attacks. I have 2 relatives high up in the Met.

There are threats all the time, that doesn't mean they all will happen. You need to calm down and I strongly suggest seeking medical attention for your anxiety.

LyndaNotLinda · 17/04/2016 12:08

I can honestly say I've never worried about going into London and the danger of terrorist attacks. And my colleague was killed in 7/7.

It's very unlikely. A terrorist saying that they were thinking about blowing up the Eye doesn't mean anything - I can say I'm thinking of climbing Everest - it doesn't mean it's ever going to happen.

It's not natural to be worried, it's irrational.

wasonthelist · 17/04/2016 12:10

A lot of people may see me as a gung-ho idiot (!) but I say it's important to behave as if there's no threat from the terrorist scum - otherwise, we're letting them get what they want.

I realise that's easier said than done when you're worried, but I do practise what I preach with DD. I'd rather she (or I) died by being murdered by some cowardly terrorist filth than sit at home worrying about it, letting them set my agenda.

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic to anyone - just my point of view.

NickiFury · 17/04/2016 12:10

My DD is going to Calais in four weeks with school, through the Eurotunnel. I feel the same as you OP. I also live in London but don't feel the same anxiety as I do about this trip, which I know makes no sense but there's no changing how I feel.

MadSprocker · 17/04/2016 12:11

I would say that we have been living under the fear of terrorist attacks since 9/11, and before that from the IRA.

DoYouLikeBirds · 17/04/2016 12:11

It's not likely anything will happen to her, the issue lies with you and your anxiety. That said no one can predict the future, so fretting about these things will only cause you further upset. There are many unknowns in life but I would guess that for the rest of yours this trip to the London Eye won't be anything significant.

wasonthelist · 17/04/2016 12:12

BTW - I also was a regular visitor to London in the IRA years - regularly used Kings Cross at the time of the fire - and so on. I don't believe in being reckless, but sadly, when your number's up....

Original poster
WhatwouldYOUdotoo · 17/04/2016 12:12

**

Thanks, I know really, I have seen similar threads and thats why I tried to make it super clear,

I am letting her go

I am not showing her my worry ( its coming out on here Smile) but some posters I have seen are deterimined to still say bla)

BUT its worth it, because you do get good posts, that help one pull ones self together, and thats why I posted Grin

( brave emotion)

OP posts: