Worried about ds going to London.

[Throughautomaticdoors]

He's in year 3 and 7 years old. They want to take them to the national history museum. I know all about his unlikely it is that anything will happen or that he's more likely to crash on the coach than get involved in a terror attack.
And yet I'm worried sick over it. He seems so little. It's the thought of him effectively being on his own in the event of anything happening rather than with his family.

Would you be happy to let your primary aged child go? Am I being ridiculous and over the top?

[Glastonbury]

We went in August there definitely is security. They checked every persons bags which meant there were huge queues.

[MCMLXVII]

Bless. More likely to have a Chinese satellite fall on his head.

[pinkiponk]

Do you let him travel in a motor vehicle?
Statistically far far more dangerous, why aren't you worried about that?

[NataliaOsipova]

In the nicest possible way, you are being unreasonable....because you have a completely distorted perception of the risk of your children being in a terrorist attack versus the risk inherent in all the things that they do in everyday life. It is thousands of times more likely that they would be involved in an accident on the coach, for example, which - in turn - is much less likely than being involved in an accident in your car while you are taking them to school/out for the day. It is probably more likely that there is a gas leak/building collapse at your child's school than it is that he will be killed by a terrorist. Or that he suffers a catastrophic choking incident with something in his school lunch. Or a football is kicked into his head causing an immediate fatal injury.

Apologies if I'm now scaring the hell out of you with all these random possibilities - the point I'm trying to make is that BECAUSE all of these things are so unlikely, we do them day in and say out without thought or worry. And we have to do that, because otherwise a) we would be paralysed with fear and be unable to function and care for our children and b) our children would miss out on a whole range of valuable and educational experiences. It's a bit like flying. I am irrationally nervous about it, even though I know that it is many thousands of times safer than going on the school run. It is the illusion that I have some control in the latter, so I don't let it stop me from going on holiday!

Please try not to worry - your son will have a brilliant day!

[LittleLionMansMummy]

In the nicest possible way op, you're being ott - but I totally understand those awful thoughts about them sometimes when they're in someone else's care. The thought crosses my mind even when I just drop ds off at school sometimes (e.g. Dunblane). Try to focus on the fun he'll have instead, it's such a great opportunity for children his age. He'll come home full of what an amazing time he had!

Also agree with pp - our police and security services are excellent. While they admit it's not if but when something happens here, they really do excellent work to keep us safe. There is a school of thought that due to the effectiveness of their work, it's unlikely to be something 'big' but go for the shock factor instead (kidnapping a policeman or soldier). It's also as likely to be Birmingham, Manchester or somewhere else - precisely because London is so well protected.

If you're still concerned, perhaps a risk statistician would be able to put your mind at rest!

[scarednoob]

it's not U to worry about it, esp with the media doing the terrorists' job for them.

but it's a very unlikely target, given the gates and security. soft targets like shops, bars, football stadiums are much more likely IMO.

and how I hate having that O. if you're a dictator or an MP or an army chief or a terrorist - JUST STOP KILLING EACH OTHER!

[Chippednailvarnishing]

Btw the British museum is full of stuff from other countries, like egyptian mummies and the Elgin marbles. Not really British at all...

[lastqueenofscotland]

Totally ott.

I live in London, get the tube, have go through lots of "tourist" areas every days for work there is a police presence and there is security at the museums.

If you don't let him go you risk making him a very very nervous child/adult which could affect him in so many ways

[BikeRunSki]

There is security at NHM.
There is loads of security throughout London.

[RitchyBestingFace]

Sorry posted too soon.

I also add that my DS goes to school in London and has been going into town on nursery and school trips since the age of three. No-one I know would keep their child from going on a school trip and I know some pretty protective and neurotic parents. To be honest it wouldn't even occur to me or them to factor 'terrorism' into our thinking - though obviously the schools need to do so as part of risk assessment.

[RitchyBestingFace]

YABU particularly when you give the impression that you aren't worried about a road accident but just about terrorism. It suggests you don't have a rational approach to risk and have magnified 'terrorism' in your mind.

For what it's worth the risk of a road accident is also very low. We can't protect our children from every single risk - they have to go out in the world and manage it. You need to give them these skills - it's your job as a parent.

I live in London and there isn't a day when I don't see big groups of school children - from reception to teens - on the tube or on Oxford Street. It would

[Camembertie]

I work next door and the long queues outside NHM are testament to their robust security in place.

I know it's scary but honestly they host dozens of school trips and are so well drilled I think he's in as safe a place as he could be.

I too am very anxious and was beside myself when DD went on a school trip involving 1 hr tube journey each way as am terrified of the tube. I do, however, wish to shield my children from my anxiety as I would hate them to suffer like I do. So I found a TA I could text or hwho could text me v occasional updates, any possibility of the same?

Goudge luck

[ifyoulikepinacolada]

It's not a prime target, what with not being about British history at all, and with the stringent and thorough security checks. OP, I know it's scary if you're not used to London, but the terrorists want to make a political point, not smash up a model of a dodo.

The school will have their own risk assessment. The museum will have a risk assessment. He'll be with all his friends. I'd let him go.

[Oblomov16]

Year 3? They are actually more mature than you realise in year 3. You sound over-anxious. Are you always? Have you seen your GP recently?

[Mummyrowland]

You could volunteer to go with them - a pp said you wouldn't be with him - in our school we are actually put with our kids whenever possible so worth an ask

[MissHooliesCardigan]

OP, please try not to worry. 8 million people live in London. Hundreds of thousands commute in every day. Several millions of tourists visit every year. The last terrorist attack was 11 years ago. I'm hopeless at maths but I can see that the chances of any individual being involved in a terrorist attack are millions to one. He'll have a great time.

[RunningLulu]

He's more likely to fall into the gap between the tube train and the station, then get involved in a terror attack.

[Googlebabe]

You are completely entitled to have these feelings as a caring protective mother. Would you consider volunteering as a parent/supervisor?

[GingerbreadCake]

What about the millions of kids who live here safely and the millions of people commuting on the tube day in day out? You obviously have no experience of London at all. Don't let your OTT anxiety ruin a lovely day out for your child.

[shovetheholly]

"I don't think a terrorist is especially likely to target a load of dinosaurs on a random Thursday."

I laughed.

OP, you are being silly. But it's lovely that you feel so protective of your little one. Time to let him achieve this milestone, though. Maybe get him a lovely dinosaur book for when he comes home raving about T-rexes!

[InformalRoman]

35 people are killed and 420 people injured every week on the UK roads.

Do you worry every time your son gets into a car?

[hollyisalovelyname]

I can understand where you are coming from but I could win an Olympic gold for worrying.

[TheNaze73]

You have every right to be concerned although you must know YABU

[GingerbreadCake]

You sound nuts. Sorry.

[StVincent]

Also I know people who work or have worked in targets like Buckingham Palace, Old Bailey, Parliament and BBC for decades and nothing untoward whatever has happened to them. I don't think a terrorist is especially likely to target a load of dinosaurs on a random Thursday. He'll be fine, you need to let him go. If you're still worried, run through with him what he should do if there is an emergency.