To not let DS go to theme park

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Need some perspective on this please...

DS (12) due to go to a large 'attraction' tomorrow with a group of 6 friends for a 13th birthday treat. I was always under the impression that both parents were going in with them, however With less than 12 hours before they set off it appears that one parent is staying at home and whilst the other (flaky) parent will drive them, is not actually going in.

I am furious that
A) they didn't run it passed us
B) they would even consider leaving other people's children alone.

One of the mums's has already said her DS won't be going but DH thinks i am totally overacting.

For perspective we all live in a small rural village and just going into the local town independently is a big deal, let alone a huge theme park.

Our KS3 rewards trip is to Alton Towers, including lots of year 7s. We drive them there, give them a meeting point at the end of the day.... As do lots of other schools. Surely standard for that age.....

A 13th birthday party? I would assume they’d be there independently, with a parent nearby. Theme parks are not dangerous. Any risk regarding the rides (minimal) would not be mitigated by having an adult on site.

They should have communicated better though. However, in your shoes I would absolutely let your child go.

Is it a money thing? If they are paying for all of the kids to go they may not be able to afford an adult ticket too. How are they working it if you are three hours away, as surely they will need picking up again so it would be silly for the parent to go back home.
I don't think I would allow my ds at that age to be alone with just children in a theme park.

We used to have school trips to Alton towers from 11, coach ther, escorted in then meet back at a certain place 6 hours later. I think it's fine.

Plus there is the ever present risk of injury cause by mechanical failure.

Even in the highly unlikely scenario that something goes wrong mechanically and the OP's child is injured , is the host parent a fully equipped paramedic, is there a helicopter on standby to airlift the OP to the site in the event of a catastrophic failure of a ride, how on earth does the parent being on site alter the outcome in such a scenario ?

I think if I was taking them there, 3 hr drive, then I would go inside and check in with them, say at lunchtime. They probably should also know where the parent is and what their phone number is.

I wouldn't expect I'd be walking around /going on rides with a group of 12/13 yr olds.

In fact, as per my previous post, looking at other Theme Parks admissions criteria, there seems to be an age restriction of 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

So your DS would need to be accompanied. Kids over the age of 13 would be OK, but down to individual parents to be able to decide if their child would be OK. Mine would not (we also live in a small village OP) so I would not leave the premises, but would not feel the need to hand-hold them, just be there in case needed for emergencies.

No, the driving parent is planning to drop then do some shopping and go to cinema (yes those places well known for being able to check your messages/take calls!!)

I don’t think you are over reacting. Maybe some 12 year olds would be ok - but you know your son better than anyone - and if you don’t think he is ready than go with you instinct. I also think 6 young and very excited boys are not going to pay as much attention to their surroundings as 2-3 boys. Is there any chance you can go with them?

I'm sure the parent is going to sit in a cafe and wait - but outside the park, not spend 50 quid to do it in a cafe inside the theme park...

I think you're crazy to assume a group of 12 year olds would have chaperones!

I'd want at least one parent on site even if they went off in small groups.

I’d want a parent on site so that any of the children Can contact them if they need to. Even if they just need an 20min break. I’d want them just to check in every couple hours to know they were ok. I’d not expect to not to be around and on hand with other people’s children.

I wouldn't be happy with this. They didn't bother to tell you and no adult onsite. Like you, I'd be happy with adult in the cafe in the park so they could keep in touch and go to them if neccesary, but no, they are too young to be dropped and left to their own devices all day. So if one has an accident, how will the parent be able to be contaced in the cinema?! Ffs. Very poor judgement on their part would leave me saying no way.

KATE so no teachers at all on site?

No I wouldn’t be overly happen given that they’re going to cinema. If they were pottering around in nearby town or something I think I’d be ok - are they 12 almost 13? Ds is 11 and I can imagine him coping with this though I wouldn’t allow it just yet.

Parent should be on site at all times. Ive been on school trips to theme parks. A few staff wait in designated meeting point- usually concourse/coffee shop near entrance or central point. Other staff wander around. All the kids are given the main staff mobile number. Last time I went a child needed first aid, but as they knew where staff were and the emergency number they could get hold of someone straight away.

They don't just get dumped and the adults leave.

Sorry, but I wouldn't let them go. If there is any type of accident, who will be there to offer support?

It's good to have an adult around but to pay £30-£50 quid just to get in seems bonkers! Personally I love the rides so go on most with dd and friends for at least part of the day or as long as I'm allowed!

We were fine as 12 yos alone in Thorpe Park and Chessington. It's a good place to give your kids a taste of some independence.

OP if you all live three hours away then you have got the wrong end of the stick
Surely it’s unlikely a parent will do a six hour drive TWICE in a day? They are probably staying in the car park to avoid the entrance fee?

Ring the parents and check the plan

shawshank the link you posted states that 12 and over are considered adults, under 12s must be accompanied so the ops DS can attend.

I'd let my ds go but with guidance on sticking together, what to do if separated etc, but - I would expect the parent taking them to remain in the vicinity if it was 3 hours from home.

Would they be allowed in on their own? My DD went to a big theme park with several friends for her 12th b'day. To her horror, her father had to accompany them in (no unaccompanied under 18s allowed). He then sat and read the paper and got bored. He was also pretty peeved at having to pay to get in, just to sit there. Neither of us would have had any problem at all with the children going in on their own, had they been allowed.

Let him go. Of course it'll be fine. He'll have a ball. He'll be mortified if you cancel.

I wouldn't let my 12 year old go.

I would let my 12 year old DD, she would be mortified at having an adult watching them. But I would have expected to be told in advance as not everyone would be happy with this.