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?

[LagunaBubbles]

It's not particularly healthy, either for the parents or the child to let anxiety levels be so bad that stops experiences that children would enjoy either for fear of what "might" happen. It is not a psychologically healthy way of functioning.

[Lilaclily]

So glad you let them stay out op
I bet they had an amazing time

[inmyplace]

Thanks everyone. Dh sent me to bed at 5ish and i have just woken up. So I did get some sleep in the end. (Admittedly not much though!) Feeling daft now for having got so anxious, but after the emails about the little girl i just couldn't stop feeling i had to watch over them. Of course now its daylight that feels really silly, but night time does funny things to you and those posts tapped into every parent's deepest fear. I feel hopeful I'll be better next time. I do feel it's important. Our children are growing up so protected that are in danger of missing some vital life lessons because of our fears. I'm really glad I didn't give in to it (even though every part of me wanted to bring them back inside where I could shut the world out )
So they are delighted this morning. They seem to have grown over night and i know they are at an eye when little by litle I have to let them start to (safely) spread their wings. The walkie talkies are charged again and they have just put in a repeat crumpet order and are having a ball. I'm particularly impressed with dt1 as he is usually afraid of the dark. He wraps himself up in his duvet at night and had a whole nightime ritual. He's done brilliantly and is really proud of himself - and he has no idea I was watching over him all night.

[inmyplace]

'Age' not 'eye'. Flipping auto correct!

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

So pleased to hear that they enjoyed themselves, and that they managed to get some sleep. You did the right thing for them by managing your fears and letting them have this experience

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

(That should have been you managed to get some sleep - but glad they did too!)

[Hunsnetloser]

Glad they had fun

[mogloveseggs]

Brilliant! And crumpets for breakfast too! Best night ever I bet

[Oblomov16]

Shocked at how incredibly negative and anxious this thread is.
Yes the Hook snatching was terrible.
But millions of people go camping every year, in tents. Many caravaner shave a tent aswell on their pitch. Cubs and beavers go camping, like others have said.
I am very saddened that 2 x 8 year olds can not have one night in a tent, in the back garden, these days.

[LagunaBubbles]

Great!

[PerspicaciaTick]

As I said last night, you have done a good thing. Your DCs will feel that they are more capable, more brave and more independent than they realised and they will take that attitude into other activities and their education.

[YoureAllABunchOfBastards]

So pleased they enjoyed it - this is the kind of thing they will look back on and remember (and you will remember the bloody sleepless night!)

[TimeIhadaNameChange]

So glad they enjoyed it. Wish id been with them - loved S & A as a child!

Sorry the doom scarers put you off. I presume none of them travel on the Underground ever? I mean, it was less than twenty years ago that three men killed innocent commuters on it...

[Runningbutnotscared]

Well done you for holding your nerve 😃

[JudyCoolibar]

It's particularly ridiculous to suggest that the 60s was some halcyon time when children were safe. When do you imagine the Moors murders happened? Why, yes, that would be the 60s. Mary Bell murders? 1968.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Yes,quite Judy!

I seem to remember reading there hasn't been an increase in crimes of this sort since the 50's it's just we know about things when they happen because of the media.

[squoosh]

SharonBottsPoundOfGrapes your mum sounds amazing. To have gone through something so nightmarish and traumatic but refusing to allow it shape her own children's childhoods. for her and your grandmother!

[SharonBottsPoundOfGrapes]

Thank you Squoosh. She told me when I was 17. She was a bit pissed and what the Irish call maudlin. I was devastated and it explained why she was the way she was. (When she had a drink).