AIBU to let my dt's sleep in the back garden?

[inmyplace]

Reassurrance needed. Trying to be chilled. Dt's are 8. In a tent, in our tiny back garden. We live on a cul de sac on edge of a town. Low crime rate but shed did get broken into a couple of years ago. Dh will be in the conservatory with the door open- about 8ish feet away. I thought they'd cave, but no sign of going off the idea. Both just really happy and excited. I need to let them don't I?

[susurration]

can you give them a whistle or similar to use to make a loud shrieking noise if anything happens and Dad doesn't hear them?

[inmyplace]

Thanks mamatj. That helps to know there are others out there!
Hockeydude- trying to get that image out of my head now too.
Saturation- they know to tell if there's a problem. Probably easier than fumbling for a whistle.
Think I might move into their room tonight - although that might freak them out of one tries to crawl back into their own bed and finds it occupied.

[Roussette]

Oh gosh.

I wish I hadnt seen this thread.

I remember a horrible crime from years ago with a young girl (Sophie Hook... please don't google it). My DD was the same age give or take a few weeks and it affected me so much. Please do the string thing. I never let my DCs camp out after this.

Sorry.

I can't not mention it.

[maddiemookins16mum]

I slept in my tent the whole of summer 76 (well it felt like it). Mum and Dad were upstairs in bed, bless them. They'll remember it always.

[inmyplace]

Oh crap. Havent googled. But feeling really queazy. Now what do I do? They're asleep.

[Champagneformyrealfriends]

Rousette just googled-wish I hadn't.

[Champagneformyrealfriends]

Inmyplace don't google it

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

They will be absolutely fine! The chance of anything happening is utterly tiny. Relax and let them enjoy their little adventure!

[Roussette]

I'm sorry.

Champagne I did say dont google... thing is... the poor young girl was the same age as my DD and it really affected me as DD had only slept out the weekend before. It just affected me badly. I've never forgotten her and often think about her parents and how they've coped.

I really apologise for being on a downer on this thread. I'm sure inmyplace your garden is much safer but the string thing is a brilliant idea.

[olives106]

I knew the man who found Sophie's body.

SORRY, OP. Statistically you'll be fine, especially with DH sleeping so close

[foxessocks]

I attempted this with my best friend at a similar age a few times but we never made it all night! We used to come back in by midnight because we were cold or scared or uncomfortable! I don't remember her parents ever being close by while we were out there but maybe they were somewhere. It was great fun but now I have my own dd I know I'd be the same as you and nervous!

[MakeMyWineADouble]

Loads of kids do this and they are fine you have taken all the right precautions. Try and think of the story's they will be telling you in the morning and how happy they will be

[Champagneformyrealfriends]

Rousette I know you did-I shouldn't have googled. She was a few months younger than I am. That poor child. My dd is asleep in her cot and I'm fighting the urge to go and wake her up for a cuddle.

[BestZebbie]

I take it that they aren't Cubs? It is perfectly normal for children aged 8-10 to be camping overnight through Scouting, it will be happening somewhere in the country tonight, I suspect.

(wrong age typed in post above as had just been reading about Beavers!)

[x2boys]

I wouldn't let my boys stay out in my garden as it's not very secure I have really low fences but I probably would let then in my parents as their backgarden is very secure ,what happened to Sophie Hook was terrible but you can't let that put you off the chances of something happening especially with your dh sleeping just a few feet away are remote.

[Cannonbear]

Have you got an Android phone and a spare one? You can download Dormi which is a baby monitor app. Set it to low sensitivity so you don't hear everything and give them a phone.

[Hunsnetloser]

rousette that is the case I was thinking of. It's just horrific. Oh olives that poor man who found her

[sleepachu]

give over, drama queen. "please don't google it"? you're talking to other adults. it's really unkind to try to scare the OP like that for no reason.

[mamaduckbone]

My two slept out in the garden together last summer aged 9 and 6. They loved it, AND lasted all night! We left the back door unlocked so they could get in if needs be. You've taken more precautions by having Dh downstairs with them. The thing is, bad things happen in 1 out of a million cases - just like they could crossing a road, going to the park, walking to school...it doesn't mean they shouldn't have the experience!

Hope they have fun!

[olives106]

I'm so sorry OP. There must have been literally millions of nights of children sleeping out fine for one Sophie Hook murder. I think it's just that those of us who were at all close to that case were affected by it so badly we can't not think of it when the subject of children camping in gardens comes up. Statistically it must be a very safe activity (not to be even more morbid, but children have been snatched from their bedrooms and bathrooms before now, there's no such thing as absolute safety, but fortunately such cases are extremely rare).

[inmyplace]

Ok, I'm totally freaked out now. Just had row with husband as iwanted to bring them in. They are both asleep so he refused. So now I'm in the conservatory too. Keeping watch.
I know you didn't mean to buy you've really upset me mentioning that terrible thing.

[Dawndonnaagain]

1. dt2 is currently camping out at Reading Festival - years of back garden practice.
   
2. That poor girl was an incredibly rare event and whilst the thought is terrifying it needs to be weighed up against the fact that thousands of children do this perfectly safely every year.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

They'll be absolutely fine - tis an important rite of passage....

[Dawndonnaagain]

Your husband is absolutely right. Sorry.