to allow my DD to go to the Notting Hill Carnival?

[haventkilledtheorchidyet]

DD (14) wants to go to the NHC. She is quite streetwise and will be going with a couple of friends. AIBU to let her?

No fucking way would I let her go

Let her go in the day with strict check in times and a return time with you.

Have you been with her before? Does she know the area? I went when I was about that age (a long time ago!) and while I did know the area I wasn't prepared for the length of time I'd have to walk (buses diverted) and the fact that there was nowhere to go to the loo!

Today, very possibly (but obvs too late now!) Tomorrow - no. No. I'm working there tomorrow and am dreading it.

I'm interested to know why not mummypig? I haven't been but thought teenagers in the day would be OK?

As an adult I could barely navigate my way home. It's a pickpocket's heaven. There is no way I would let DS go at 14.

Lilac - it is just SO busy. Monday has a very different dynamic than Sunday. As a petite woman I have been carried along by the crowd, feet off the floor. Seriously. And shit can go down right in front of you, nothing to do with you, not your fault but you're right there in the middle of it and can't get away.

sounds scary !

No I wouldn't. I had a horrible experience there on the Monday about 18 years ago. Man went mad an pulled out a huge knife in the middle of the crowd. I didn't see it at first and people were shouting bomb so everyone was running and screaming. It was terrifying and I'd never go back.

Does she know the area well and is she generally streetwise?

I would for children's carnival but not for main carnival day

doesn't know the area, we live in SE

Used to live there for about 20 yrs. Most residents either leave or are trapped until the bank holiday is over. And then come out to see their roads trashed. There's always trouble and it's often played down. I would rather send my 14 year old DD to Faliraki

i wouldnt
there were four stabbings there today

If she doesn't know the area, then absolutely not.

Not a chance. DP used to work in Notting Hill and he would agree.

Not a chance!!

If she doesn't know the area then I definitely wouldn't let her, it's pretty overwhelming even without all of the other points pp's have made.

I've been today. It's calmer on the Sunday. Still fucking crazy mad in places though.

Does she know the area?

I think it would depend on how street Savy she is.

Yanbu

Lots of dancing.

My mother lives in Notting Hill and she decamps to ours every year over the bank holiday weekend to avoid the carnival. Not a chance I would let my dc go. No matter how streetwise they are, they simply cannot be prepared for NHC

Imagine your 14 year old and friends know, essentially, what tube to get to carnival, where to spend the day and how to get home. Then imagine that something happens 100 metres in front of them. The TSG storm through and form a ring. It's all distressing, frightening and stressful. Packed with confused people. The path is blocked. They are shunted off down a street they didn't mean to go down, and because of a one way system they are suddenly nowhere near where they intended. They are lost. It's late. Can't see their way. Don't know the area so have no safe 'out' or anyone to call on. At 14. No way.

I'm normally one for letting children have some independence but not on this one, for the reasons others have highlighted above.

Maybe go with her next year (on Sunday, not Monday) and take a view for 2018?

It feels a bit 'lawless'. There is a definite shift in the vibe as dusk comes; I could feel the tension. All the riot police started piling in. Also nearly got crushed in a crowd at one point.

I'm a seasoned festival goer and backpacker, but this felt different. Had great fun though! Not for a 14; I think she could be vulnerable there.