to be really bloody angry about this

[ingeniousidiot]

My DS10 and 3 friends won a prize of a day trip to a local theme park travelling by coach. Three of the parents were happy (with mild concerns) to let the kids enjoy it as their first grown up day trip. One decided that she wanted her dh to trail the kids all day. AIBU to be pissed off that he is essentially changing the dynamics of the group and the presence of the DH standing in the queues behind them completely changes their day?

Adding a bit of background information - the prize gave the option of an open day ticket to allow the winners to go whenever with whoever, or to go on the organised, supervised coach trip. The DH didn't want to go, the other parents didn't want him to go. The DH has said that he will not be responsible for the other children.
AIBU in thinking that she should've chosen the open day ticket and made it a family trip another time, rather than our children being stalked for the day?

I can't believe how many people haven't rtft.

I've just skimmed through and even I have seen the OP state several times that it is supervised by the police.

Would all of you insist on getting on the coach to follow them round school trips too?

YANBU OP.

YANBU. Fellow parents like that, do my head in

Depends on the level of supervision.

I wouldn't allow my 10 year old to go. Theme parks, especially the big ones, require more supervision for a few clueless ten year olds than a help point and the occasional walk around.

Waltetmitty - yy

Disagreeing with the OP does not equate to NRTFT.

Just sayin'.

I don't understand the nature of the 'supervised' trip. If the police supervise them all day, how is it an independent grown-up trip? Surely it is just like a school trip where they are supervised by staff?

If the police just plan to drop them at the gate and pick them up, then I agree, it would be more like a grown-up trip.

I did take DS and a friend to Chessington when they were at the 10/11 yr6 / 7 age, and was inside the park but largely left them to it to be independent. It was fine. I did not hover about behind them. I would want an adult they know in the park with them at 10.

Do you know how closely the Dad intends to monitor them? I bet he spends a good deal of time sitting down having a coffee.

'Bloody angry' is a bit OTT. 'Irritated' would be more in keeping. And you can't dictate how others respond to the invitation. The object is for the kids to have a great day out - how do you know the other families had the 'independent experience' as a key agenda?

Police organised or not I'd be the parent trailing the group and I'm far from a helicopter parent! 10 is too young to be on a trip without a familiar adult imo so I think YABU to be angry another parent feels better keeping an eye out

YABU on two counts:

1. Ten is young enough that lots of very reasonable parents wouldn't think that the supervision provided by the police is sufficient

1. Even if you were NBU on count 1, the other dad is NOT EVEN SUPERVISING your kid, but his own.

So this is all rather odd, really.

Tessabelle - Yr 6 10 year olds in a group supervised by police? With the police going round the park with them?

You might be a teeny bit chopperish.

Would you let them g on a school or cub / scout trip?

But I agree - every parent must make their own decision.

You're not bothered about your 10 year old DS going unsupervised with his mates - your choice as his parent.

Other parent want their 10 year old DS to be supervised - their choice as his parents.

YABU

THEY ARE BEING SUPERVISED BY THE POLICE

Rtft FFS!

It doesn't sound like they're going to be supervised sufficiently, tbh.

Police aren't magic. Even they can't be everywhere at once.

What a bizarre thing to be 'really bloody angry' at.

If they're 10 YABU.

I skim read at first and thought they were 14 or something, in which case it would be different.

I did read the full bloody thread thanks very much. No need to get like that.

I meant parental supervision.

Each parent will have a different view of 'risk'. OP is unreasonable to get angry about it.

...also in terms of changing the dynamic. The police ... that's not going to change the dynamics?

Ratios and duty of care don't magically change because someone's got a badge. I've done trips with our community officers and they've needed a hand from teachers/parents present as ... gasp ... they're not childcare trained. In fact, their skills are pretty much the opposite of creating a chilled out party time vibe while supervising.

There's no way I'd have let my 10 year old go without a parent being with them.

I wouldn't expect the parent (or myself) to literally walk round with them and go on the same rides with them, etc., but I'd certainly want an appropriate adult to "be around" in case something went wrong and to try to stop any problems.

Very similar to when my son and a few friends went to a local water park for his birthday party. Me and OH were there, but we sat ourselves down in the cafe area (just on the edge of some of the pools/rides), and stayed there for the day reading the papers and having the occasional coffee! The kids came and went as they pleased - they knew where we were. We could watch them on a few of the rides and in one of the pools. So they had their freedom, but also knew we were there if they had a problem and knew we were there if they started being silly!

The DH has said that he will not be responsible for the other children.

WTF.

Lots of teenagers getting pissed at the theme park nearest to me. Wouldn't fancy my 10 year old being there alone.

So if something happens to one of the other kids that aren't his, he basically isn't responsible? If he is there and is choosing to gate crash then he is responsible. As for them going alone I think it depends on how sensible they are, can they be trusted to get back to the coach on time etc? 10 does seem a bit young for a theme park such as Alton towers etc but something smaller then that's not to bad.

Crazy. Group of 10 yr olds without an adult at a Theme Park.

Personally I think it depends on what 'trail the kids all day' means.

Last year I accompanied our y6 on trip to our local theme park. The brief was 'lose supervision'. So I went with them to an area, sat on a bench, said do what you want in this area and come and find me. Then we moved to a different area, which they chose, etc.

This theme park does not permit 'unaccompanied' children under 12.

I would be grateful for the bloke being present. 10 years old is pretty young, unless they are part of an organised trip which includes an adult to supervise them.

When DS was 11, the mum of one of his friends organised a visit to a theme park 45 minutes away. DS was told by the other child that his mum would give them a lift there and pick up (and to bring £50 for the day ). I tried to talk to the mum about the arrangements ,but she wasn't up for it. So I said no, much to the annoyance of DS.

3 days later DS told me the trip had been cancelled, of all the 6 11 year old children invited, not a single one was given permission to go.

that is 6 x 11 year old..