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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel nervous about travelling and cancel my day plan?

30 replies

Cindbelly · 01/06/2017 08:28

I'm normally sensible and level headed I promise but I'm having a wobble and need some perspective.

I had planned to take the DC to London today for the day on my own. No tickets booked, was thinking museums and they are 9 and 4. Will be my first outing to London without DH coming too as he is working. I haven't told the DC yet.

Last night on the phone MIL was shocked I was taking them into London on my own with the current state of critical alert and told me that she can't fathom why I would choose to take them to popular touristy places and on the trains at the moment.

Over the phone I laughed and said it will be fine... but now I'm feeling really nervous Sad

I've got about an hour before DS wakes up to decide what to do... help me mumsnetters please, should I cancel and find something more local? Or go as planned? Journey is about 1.5 hours so not to bad.

OP posts:
NerrSnerr · 01/06/2017 08:35

The threat level was downgraded back to severe a few days ago so no longer critical. I would personally still go- even if there was trouble today the chances of being caught up is tint as London is huge. It's your call though, no point if you won't enjoy it.

LizzieMacQueen · 01/06/2017 08:37

The thing that would put me off is the queues at the attractions rather than any terrorist threat. So if your kids are okay with that then I would say go ahead.

Maybe book seats on the train for your return journey for when they are tired etc. because for me that's the bugger.

mrsmalcolmreynolds · 01/06/2017 08:39

Up to you entirely. Is it just your MIL making you feel like this or had you just not thought about it before? I commute to London daily and regularly bring my DC up. I am off tomorrow and taking them to a farm park but only because the forecast is good, nothing to do with the level of alert.

MrsKCastle · 01/06/2017 08:39

Well it's your call, but objectively the risk is tiny. If you stay local, would you be driving? Because getting into a car is likely to have higher risks involved than a train to London.

Crumbs1 · 01/06/2017 08:39

The threat level is the same as it's been for some time, severe - or quite low risk for most of population. I'd go and not put my entire life on hold out of fear. London will be exciting and fun.

cariadlet · 01/06/2017 08:42

YANBU to be nervous, but YABU if you let your nervousness affect your plans.

I'm taking my dd to London today. We're staying at a hostel for a couple of nights and will probably visit a couple of museums etc.

The main reason for going is that I'm taking her to see Shawn Mendes at the O2 tonight. She's 14 and this is her first real concert (it was her Christmas present). She is so excited about it. I'm sure that I'll be thinking about Manchester while we're they're, but there's no way I could spoil things for her by cancelling.

MyOtherNameIsTaken · 01/06/2017 08:42

Just go. Have a great day!

NataliaOsipova · 01/06/2017 08:43

If you do something more local and go in your car, you are undertaking a significantly more risky activity.

It's understandable to be worried, given all the awful news of late, but it's fundamentally irrational. Your perception of risk is skewed. Again - understandable - but people focus on the minute risk of being the person standing in the vicinity of a terrorist and never think about the minute risk of, say, being killed by a baked beans can falling on their head in Tesco. And they certainly don't focus on the much greater risk of being run over by a car while crossing the road. Or the much greater risk still of being killed in a road traffic accident while driving.

I would definitely go. Apart from anything else, if you are worried, you will be reassured by the significant security presence which will be fully evident in all museums etc. It's probably as safe as it can be at the moment.

MackerelOfFact · 01/06/2017 08:43

The terror threat was downgraded on Tuesday so it's not critical any more.

I'm in Central London and spent a chunk of last week in Manchester. The attacks last week don't really seem to have put many people off, London is heaving with tourists and kids this week during half term, both on the tubes and out and about.

I really think you'd be paranoid to cancel your plans based on a vague perception of a non-specific threat. Once you're here you'll feel much more reassured, everyone is just going about their business as usual and London in the sunshine is bloody wonderful.

Original poster
Cindbelly · 01/06/2017 08:44

Just speaking to MIL last night made me feel nervous, it hadn't even occurred to me before.

OP posts:
MozzchopsThirty · 01/06/2017 08:46

I'm taking my dcs today for 2 days in London

There's no point in worrying about what might happen, I can be vigilant but if it's my time then it's my time

I can't wait to go 😊

Original poster
Cindbelly · 01/06/2017 08:48

Right I'm going to go!
Thankyou all those were exactly the kind of examples I gave to MIL (minus the fatal tesco beans Grin )
So I'm pleased I was thinking along the right lines to start with!
MIL is normally sensible and we get on great and agree about most things so That's why I doubted myself.

OP posts:
thelonelyscriptures · 01/06/2017 08:49

YABU but me too.
I'm too scared to go into town or to the shopping centre near me. I've avoided supermarkets and all sorts of public, crowded places. Fortunately I live in a quiet area with lots of corner shops so we're not starving lol.
I know it's irrational and ridiculous but I can't help it. Can't watch the news or anything.

Ceto · 01/06/2017 08:52

Millions of people have been travelling into and out of London quite safely over the past week. Your MiL is being ridiculous.

NataliaOsipova · 01/06/2017 08:54

the fatal tesco beans Grin

Ok. I am a little over dramatic. But you never know what might happen in the canned food aisle..... Grin

hellokittymania · 01/06/2017 08:56

The sun is shining, and hopefully it will stay shining today. Come here and enjoy your day.

sweetbitter · 01/06/2017 09:02

Your MIL is being silly, think of the hundreds of thousands of children living their day to day lives in London, they're hardly getting evacuated out are they. The risk is miniscule, and as we saw with the Manchester attacks certainly not confined to London anyway.

Imamouseduh · 01/06/2017 09:03

Some of us live in London (even children!) every day and don't give any of this a second thought.

NormaSmuff · 01/06/2017 09:08

it is as safe as it has been for the last few years.

Notalotterywinner · 01/06/2017 09:38

As others have said the risk has been reduced. I have to travel to London most days for work, I know that I shouldn't change my behaviour but I have, I now use the last tube carriage or the quietest carriage, I have stopped walking over Waterloo bridge, which is a lovely walk so my bad, especially as I have picked up new customers in Covent Garden.

I was in Covent Garden yesterday, it was hot, busy and a good vibe, be vigilant and enjoy.

Hulababy · 01/06/2017 11:25

Its normal to feel some alarm or concern, but it is important to also keep going about your life.

I was nervous about going to a concert on Tuesday at an arena. But when there is felt incredibly safe. I have a stadium concert in Manchester tomorrow, and just got tickets to go to the One Love benefit concert there on Sunday too. I won't let fear rule my life, I know it is important not too.

Original poster
Cindbelly · 01/06/2017 18:16

I bloody love you all, we went, had a fantastic day - I can't believe I nearly let MILs fear stop us!
Thanks for helping me see sense Grin

OP posts:
EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans · 01/06/2017 18:20

I was coming on to say YANBU as long as you stand on the right side of the escalator Grin.

So glad you came & had a good time!

Dawnedlightly · 01/06/2017 18:22
Grin Great news
notanevilstepmother · 01/06/2017 18:31

Your MIL was being unreasonable to upset you like that.

I'd implement a "don't tell" policy in future.

I didn't tell my mum how near I was to the rioting in 2012, or that I went to central London last week, or that I went the week after 7/7. I survived. It makes life easier.

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