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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Daisymay2 · 17/04/2016 13:22

I think you are doing the right thing too OP but completely understand your worries.
I was a student in London in the 1970s, when the Provisional IRA were bombing the captial , I was in a Hall of Residence next door to a building which was bombed one Saturday night and heard 2-3 others go off- mainly in restaurants. Now I am a parent I realise how scared my parents must have been, although they hid it. I was blaze and carried on with my life as normal..
One of my sons is doing a course which involves commuting into London for the week from time to time. ( Next one starts tomorrow) The other is currently studying in Dublin, where there have been a few incidents recently. I am concerned about both of them to an extent, but I know that the chances of anything happening to either of them is remote.

NickiFury · 17/04/2016 13:28

Anyone who uses the word "unhinged" towards someone with this anxieties is a real twat. Just so you know

bloodyteenagers · 17/04/2016 13:32

How is the coach any safer though?
Not long ago Victoria coach station and area was evacuated because of a bomb from ww2. There will be more across the country, ticking time bombs laying there with the potential to go off.

The Eye risk is no different to any other area of the country. There are alerts up and down the country not just in London. A monument, museum, theatre, shopping centre all carry the same risk.

Same with the day of the week doesn't count. Terrorists don't work office hours. But then drink drivers don't operate only after dark. Crazed gun men don't just go crazy on a Friday night.

LifeIsGoodish · 17/04/2016 13:35

You say that there didn't used to be, in your lifetime, a terrorist risk in gong to London. Well, you must be very young then! I grew up in London during the IRA bombing campaigns, using the Tube every day to go to school.

Our perspective was that you could not let the terrorists control you, else the bullies win. We lived our lives as normal, going in to town, using public transport, going to crowded attractions etc. We just remained vigilant - reported unattended bags, etc.

Terrorist atrocities touch many people emotionally, but only very few physically.

AugustaFinkNottle · 17/04/2016 13:39

I don't understand your logic. You acknowledge that travelling by coach presents a greater risk, but you are saying that you would prefer that your dd do so. Why?

Buckinbronco · 17/04/2016 13:43

I don't get the whole
London eye threat. Why would
Anyone blow up the London eye? There aren't many people on it, it's contained, there are many more places which would cause far more terror and destruction.

Don't forget not all "terrorists" are smart enough to successfully launch a terror attack. Particularly those who get caught whilst it's just an idea they've had... I think there is a difference between ISIS and some random brummy fantasising about blowing up madam tussauds

NataliaOsipova · 17/04/2016 13:47

I think a clinical assessment of risk is always helpful in these situations, because it helps you to put things into perspective. All actions (and in actions) carry risk. Not meaning to make light of your situation, but if your DD stays at school there's a risk of, say, a gas leak or a structural problem with the building causing a catastrophic collapse. You don't worry about that because it's extremely unlikely. The same, though, is true of being the victim of a terrorist attack - it's just in people's minds because of recent news events. I think the thing to focus on is the car trip to school that morning will likely be the riskiest thing she does that day....

PerspicaciaTick · 17/04/2016 13:47

Because it in the very centre of London, it would hit people of all nationalities, it is practically opposite the Houses of Westminster, it is internationally recognisable.

Coconutty · 17/04/2016 13:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Buckinbronco · 17/04/2016 13:53

It's not really in the very centre of London. There are probably less than 200 people on the entire thing. Many major cities have an eye, and it's a tacky tourist attraction. Dont see it myself

foragogo · 17/04/2016 13:54

yes so much twattiness on here. I was born. raised, lived and work in London and I'm not offended by people saying they think about the possibility of terrorist attacks when their kids are on school trips. same for any big city. or when you let yout kids cross the road in their own for the first time. the terrorists only win if people modify their behaviour which noone on this thread has. it's normal not unhinged to consider risk and have strategies.

PerspicaciaTick · 17/04/2016 14:02

It is opposite the heart of UK government. So no, not geopgraphically dead centre but not the suburbs. It would be as symbolic as hitting the Eiffel Tower or the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

GabiSolis · 17/04/2016 14:19

There really is no need to belittle the OP's fear here. She is still letting her DD go on the trip! There have been some borderline abusive comments made towards her, and just to be clear, being so downright nasty and offensive about anxiety is absolutely not on. There are people on this thread who owe the OP an apology.

Fwiw, I have no strong feelings about avoiding London myself and do travel in quite a lot as we live in the Home Counties and it's convenient.

Yourface · 17/04/2016 14:21

You aren't being ridiculous, the tone of some of the twats who post on here is incredible. Is that how they speak to people whose opinion they disagree with, in real life? I always find pleasure in sneering at people who are anxious. It's such fun!

Anyway I think you are completely right in being concerned about travel methods, assuming they are primary age. Not from a terrorist point of view but more from a safety and group management point of view. There is less to go wrong on a coach. I am saying this as a parent who's bright abd intelligent year 6 son was lost on a school trip. Not in London though. Secondly I think there are better and more educational trips than the London eye.

Sorry you are getting a hard time. There are some right knobs on here.

thebestfurchinchilla · 17/04/2016 14:30

I understand OP. Totally. Try to be reassured by the heightened security around London and landmarks. We went abroad in Easter hols(booked before Brussels attack) and I was terrified of checking in. We did it and all was well of course. I felt better for all the armed police. This is what the terrorists want, they have caused us to feel terror. If you stop her going, then what else will you stop doing as a family? Where does it end? I understand but I think you have to overcome your fears for the good of your family.

albertcamus · 17/04/2016 14:32

YANBU at all OP

I used to organise many trips to Central London, including The Eye.

I don't do it any more due to the increased terrorist threat.

The children in my care are not mine to make decisions about in this respect.

Yeahsure · 17/04/2016 14:33

YABU. Anxiety surrounding our kids is understandable, unfortunately it's part of parenthood, but many of us, myself included, have dc who travel by tube and bus every single week day and are fine. Even if something were to happen the odds of it affecting your dc are so minuscule there are probably not even odds to cover it! I'd really try to put your emotional blinkers on and not let this get to you so much.

GooseberryRoolz · 17/04/2016 14:45

The thing is, if you're letting her go, have signed the slip etc, it's a done deal and presumably your rational assessment is that the risk is minor. That being the case, you need to decide to let go of the anxiety or change your decision.

I live two miles from the Eye. I spend a lot of time on the South Bank voluntarily but would not, in the current circs, get in the eye or be happy about the DC doing so (only one of mine is young enough for me to actually decide for them). I also try to avoid the big termini stations.

But it's a personal thing; A mixture of rational risk assessment and emotional reaction. We all have to draw our own lines then live with them.

You'll drive yourself mad worrying about decisions already made.

Boredworkingmum020 · 17/04/2016 14:50

Yanbu to be anxious (I worry everytime my DS goes out in the car with DH/anyone not me). I too would worry I think it's natural in the current world. You have done the right think by signing the consent form - just keep yourself busy the day she goes

GooseberryRoolz · 17/04/2016 14:53

@ posts saying it is not central London or a target; It's iconic and moments from parliament.

drivingmisspotty · 17/04/2016 15:01

I would be anxious too, it is totally understandable.

But I like to think of it like this... How long does it take for the eye to go round? About 30mins? And each time carries about 800 people so could be thousands in a day. Think of all those people, every day since it opened 16 years ago, or since 7/7, or since the Paris attacks. All those people travelling safely. So without incident that you have hardly noticed them. The trip your daughter is taking is obviously the most important to you so you are focussing on that as courting danger, and I do see your logic, but it is vastly more likely everything will be absolutely fine.

Narp · 17/04/2016 15:04

Don't let her go, let her go. I am not sure what you want anyone to say.

You could argue anywhere in London would be unsafe.

People who live in London get on with it. You have the choice to decline the trip

Narp · 17/04/2016 15:05

I would also add that if you've decided to let her go, then you must decide to stop worrying about it. iT'S A POINTLESS WASTE OF ENERGY

Original poster

WhatwouldYOUdotoo · 17/04/2016 16:20

There have been some borderline abusive comments made towards her, and just to be clear, being so downright nasty and offensive about anxiety is absolutely not on

Indeed but thanks to the helpful posters I did um and ah about whether to post in chat or on here..

I have lost two people very suddenly and in spite of that, i think I do very well thank you very much.

OP posts:

Original poster

WhatwouldYOUdotoo · 17/04/2016 16:21

Thanks Driving, its things like that that help!

OP posts:

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