To change my xmas plans because of terrorist threat

[questabelletreetop]

We have afternoon tea booked in London tomorrow, I was planning on taking my two DC ages 12&4 with my sister. The plan is to do that then take the open top bus along Oxford Street to see the lights, ending in Trafalgar Square for carol singing.

My question is with such a huge terrorist risk in London this Christmas would you be taking your children, especially a four year old who can't run?
Is this a sensible thing to do?!

kids should not be scooting on the pavement anyway, he's a menace to pedestrians and in danger if someone reverses out of their drive (and obviously not in the road, either). He walks, scooting is for parks and areas out of the way.

that's a far bigger risk than a terrorist attack, for which your odds are lower than winning the lottery.

driving is of course the most dangerous thing most of us do, because we are all exposed to the phone user/drunk/druggie

The number of armed police in central London, which is heightened during the festive season, you are probably safer than at any other time.

It's pretty well known that these are just security as theatre and don't really reduce the risk much, they just make people feel more secure.

I don't like anything with wheels on the pavement if it's going faster than walking pace.

I've just learned to ignore them for the sake of my blood pressure.

But if it has actually happened to you then that threat is incredibly real.

It has actually happened to me. I was shocked for a long time and I do have generalised anxiety however not particularly related to the incident in question. I can categorically say that being involved in a terrorist incident hasn’t stopped me from travelling to the same area 100 times over and I’ve even passed through with my DC even though the thought of losing my DC is petrifying to me. I understand that the way you’re thinking is a bit of backwards logic though. Bad things have also happened to me without a terrorist being involved. C’est la vie!

To be honest I often wonder if people get get so worked up about this because it actually has never happened to them.

You do realise that it could happen anywhere, OP? It could happen in your home town/area.

Avoiding the things you enjoy doing is letting them win.

Just to let you know that we went

Did the Mad Hatter afternoon tea which was amazing, Carnaby Street lights are the best, bus along Regents Street & Hamleys.
I'm ashamed to say that my youngest had never been on a bus before so we sat at the top of the double decker, he was mesmerised.
I had a very nervous moment where I literally couldn't get on the tube at one point but had to have a serious word with myself and got a grip. Told dc we didn't get on the train because it wasn't our train, calmed down and got on the next one.
So glad we went, it does make me nervous going with the children but I can't avoid taking them back to where I grew up and experiencing all the charms of the city, there is no place like it.
Thanks to everyone who was encouraging, I need to get over my anxiety, definitely planning on getting help in the new year.

Told dc we didn't get on the train because it wasn't our train, calmed down and got on the next one.
WELL DONE OP
That is a really good way of taking control of yourself while not passing it on.

And I'm so pleased you enjoyed it.
Take them out as often as you can over the holidays and let their enthusiasm and joy inspire you.

Well done OP, that's a brilliant update - so glad you and the DC enjoyed it!

Good news, OP!

Fantastic. So glad you all had a good time.

Lovely update! Glad you had a great time!

Wow well done. They'll remember it forever. I think you should be really proud of yourself. X

GLad you went. For us who live in London we have no choice. My dd was in town today and we’re all going up on Xmas eve.

Great update, OP