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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Would anyone's 7 year old like a penpal?

24 replies

OrlasMummy · 27/03/2017 00:06

Just that really. My DD loves getting letters in the post and likes the idea of a pen pal. If anyone thinks their lo would be interested please get in touch. Must be willing to turn a blind eye to the odd spelling mistake 😉. We live in NI

OP posts:

WildBelle · 27/03/2017 01:17

I'm sure you'll get lots of people saying YABU because you could potentially be giving your address out to weirdos.

But my dd2 might be interested! Has yours just turned 7 or is she going on 8 (dd2 is 7 in July)?

SparkleSunshine201 · 27/03/2017 03:10

I don't think it's wise to do this on here as you will not know who you are writing to. Isn't there a programme through school or kids charity that can set up pen pals?

Sample1936 · 27/03/2017 04:49

Bonkers!

KoalaDownUnder · 27/03/2017 05:18

Well, my 8-year-old nephew might! And we live in Australia, so I'm going to say there's zero chance of any of us stalking you to your house

Why is it bonkers, anyway? What on earth do people think is going to happen?

Crankycunt · 27/03/2017 05:21

Do it through an official site, not asking some randoms on an Internet forum.

HelenaWay · 27/03/2017 06:05

Please don't give your address out to anyone on here.

STFU · 27/03/2017 07:38

I'm not sure if giving your address out is good or bad.

I can't really see the harm in doing it with a name change so there's no identifiable info linked to it.

You could even ask your school if they'd accept the letter 'FAO...'

HelenaWay · 27/03/2017 11:52

Yes.

HelenaWay · 27/03/2017 11:52

Sorry. Typed that by mistake.

RiversrunWoodville · 27/03/2017 11:55

My almost 7 year old dd probably would but we are also NI so your dd would probably be disappointed it wasn't someone somewhere more exciting/exotic

MouldyPeach · 27/03/2017 11:55

My home schooled 7, nearly 8, year old is always looking for new pen pals as sadly many don't seem to last very long :(

But seeing the replies my cynical side is now wondering if this is some kind of social experiment on the naivety of MNers with 7yos

3girlsunder3 · 27/03/2017 11:56

Mine would be interested too, but is already 8! Is your dd just 7 or nearly 8?

3girlsunder3 · 27/03/2017 11:58

Erm also, surely swapping g addresses on here via pm is no different to when buyinh/selling etc? Or am I being naive?

ScoobyDoosTinklyLaugh · 27/03/2017 11:58

Me and my old student friends send each over loads of shite in the post, I love getting stuff in the post.

I wouldn't be worried about giving my address out, its in the phone book, as long as your not on witness protection or anything I don't see the problem.

MouldyPeach · 27/03/2017 12:47

PM me if you like OP, or anyone who's child would like to write to an almost 8 homeschooled girl who loves Pokemon, animals, Cubs...
Maybe a pen pal thread is a good idea?

maybefallingapart · 27/03/2017 13:42

Mine would love to. She had one last year but we lost their details. I also have a 5 year old who would love to too

Majorgoodwinschickenbeatstrump · 27/03/2017 15:31

My 6 year old would! If you like I will send you my Facebook details first so you can have a look and see that we are genuinely nice and normal! :)

CheeseQueen · 27/03/2017 15:47

Lovely idea, I used to love having a penpal when I was little.
However, I'm another one adding to the chorus of "not on here." How would you know whether you're really writing to another 7 year old? Could be anybody.
Not a risk I'd take.
Anyone remember buying magazines such as Patches, Blue Jeans and TV Hits? They always used to have a penpal page where you could find people your own age to write to who were also looking for a penpal. Kind of "Hi, I'm Mary, I'm 8 and love My Little Pony and writing letters."
Then you'd write to Mary via the magazine and they'd pass it on. Is there such a thing any more? Maybe it's gone all digital and there's a trusted penpal website you can sign up to and go through them.
I'd have a look into something like that if I were you.

maybefallingapart · 27/03/2017 15:58

You could argue that anyone on a 'legitimate' website could be just that. Anyone. I read every letter inwards and outwards so that's enough policing for me to be happy. And my address is given out to anyone who buys stuff off me on Facebook. Feel free to pm me (as I have no idea how to pm you) and I will happily give my address first

SusanKR · 13/09/2017 21:25

My 7-year old would really love a snail mail pen pal. She loves dancing and rhythmic gymnastics. If you are still looking for penpals, please email me! [email protected]

glenthebattleostrich · 13/09/2017 21:29

My 7 year old would probably like this, I'll ask her in the morning.

NoSquirrels · 13/09/2017 21:52

But what could the danger be, realistically?

8-yr-old writes to penpal.

Penpal writes back.

Parents (on both ends) check content.

Dixiestampsagain · 14/09/2017 00:48

I have a 7 year old dd who would love that too. I know some will be thinking this isn't a good idea, but I'm happy if anyone wants to send me a pm to exchange info (football loving ballerina here).

lindblum · 14/09/2017 00:55

I had three or four penpals at age 7! Agreed that this isn't a good placet to do it... there are sites that offer such services.

For example - how about you sponsor a child through Plan UK? It's £15 a month for a child anywhere in the world. Letters are sparse, it takes time to deliver and translate etc, but your DD could learn a lot about another country and way of live from doing it. She can send letters, photos, and small gifts like stickers, hairclips, etc, and you can choose what gender you'd like, what age group, what area. I chose a girl of any age in Asia and got a 1-year-old girl in Bangladesh who is now about to turn 4. :)

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