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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not let five-year-old child go on school trip into central London

307 replies

Blueflowers2011 · 10/10/2016 20:18

as title says, Year 1 (age 5 mostly) are going on a trip into London, which consists of 30 children and supervising adults travelling on 1 rail train, interchange to 1 underground tube train then a 20 min walk when they get to the other side to visit a shop.

A couple of parents are now saying they are not allowing their child to go which is also confirming my thoughts initially, which btw is mostly due to anything happening in London in general.

I have worked in London all my life and it's bad enough travelling on the tube everyday as an adult, let alone a 5 yr old child. Many parents also feel it's an unneccassary trip at this age just to visit a shop and how it works.

I encourage most things and experiences for my children but just feel this one is a bit too much for a 5 yr old. Am I worrying too much or should I just let them go?

OP posts:
teacher54321 · 10/10/2016 20:20

My ds is 4 1/2 in reception and would LOVE this and would absolutely cope brilliantly with all of it. However he is very confident using trains and tubes and goes up to London frequently with either DH or myself to do things.

Willow33 · 10/10/2016 20:21

They are only going to visit a shop? Which shop?

paxillin · 10/10/2016 20:24

Let them go. They'll have a great time. What exactly are you afraid of? Term time, you can see school classes all the time, including really young ones.

poppopp · 10/10/2016 20:25

Yeah what shop? I don't really see the big deal, presumably there'll be the right amount of staff to look after everyone. I bet he'll have a blast!

mycatstares · 10/10/2016 20:25

Can you not go along as a helper?

Northernlurker · 10/10/2016 20:26

You are worrying too much. There are five year olds in London btw. Lots of them.

UnicornMadeOfPinkGlitter · 10/10/2016 20:26

Is there not a shop much closer that they can visit?

DrBronnersWorstNightmare · 10/10/2016 20:26

Are they going to Hamley's? YABU, plenty of 5 year olds travel on the tube to get to school every day!

Elmindarina · 10/10/2016 20:27

My DD went into central London on the tube 3 times when she was in reception, so 4 and 5 years old. I think you are worrying too much and they will be fine. They will make sure they take enough adults.

Floggingmolly · 10/10/2016 20:28

They will be absolutely fine.

QueenLizIII · 10/10/2016 20:28

I see parties of school children on tubes all the time.

Children do actually live in London all the time. How do you think they manage.

It is London, not Baghdad.

Nonotmenori · 10/10/2016 20:31

Tough one. My DD is 5 and I wouldn't like the idea of it, but saying that, I don't think it's fair on her to exclude her because of my fears. I'd probably let her go and volunteer so that we both win.

HaPPy8 · 10/10/2016 20:31

I wouldn't let mine go. Im a terrible worrier though.

HarrietVane99 · 10/10/2016 20:32

I'd guess the object is not just to visit a shop but to give the children the experience of travelling by train and tube? And there'll be follow-up work back at school - discussion, writing, artwork.

(I loved travelling on the tube when I was small)

YesThisIsMe · 10/10/2016 20:33

I commute at a time when the primary children are on their way back to school from day trips into central London, so I share a tube carriage with primary school trips all the time. They always seem absolutely fine. Sometimes boisterous, sometimes hilarious, often adorable, but I've never seen a single trip where I was remotely concerned about the teachers'/TAs' ability to keep their charges safe. I've never even seen a child crying which is very impressive after a long tiring day.

Lovepancakes · 10/10/2016 20:33

Our DC go on school trips on the tube regularly in London in a group of 30 Confused

Smartleatherbag · 10/10/2016 20:34

I'd worry too, but I would let mine go as they'll be fine.

Chillyegg · 10/10/2016 20:34

Er i work in a school.

That trip will be risk assessed to the very higheat level. Your kid will be very well supervised.....it is the staffs job to make surr the kids are safe.

IzzyIsBusy · 10/10/2016 20:34

What is it you are worried about?

myownprivateidaho · 10/10/2016 20:35

I don't get it, what are you afraid of? Terrorism?

Balletgirlmum · 10/10/2016 20:35

The 20 minute walk might be a bit much for them. Not so much on the way there but on the way back.

I can't think of any significant shops that's 20 mins away from a tube???

Pootlebug · 10/10/2016 20:36

My kids have been on overground train + tube trips since reception. They have had some great times. The occasional parent has stopped their kids going but most have been completely fine about it

sm40 · 10/10/2016 20:36

If it's terrorism, more chance of dying in a car crash! And everyone still gets in the car.

Nataleejah · 10/10/2016 20:37

YABVU

mycatwantstokillme1 · 10/10/2016 20:37

I have anxiety that goes through the roof in situations like this - my son was born prem and didnt leave hospital for 3 months, I don't know if it stems from that. Every school trip I couldn't settle until I went to the school at hometime, would be stressing the night before. BUT I always let my son go because I didn't want him to miss out.
I know it's hard, but if you let him go this time, it make make it easier the next time.
If you really can't face it, don't beat yourself up about it, but like someone else said, there are always loads of helpers on these trips, and the ids are really well supervised.