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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To let 15 and 16 year old go to London for day by themselves?

27 replies

aaarrrggghhhh · 18/05/2018 13:15

Niece and her friend visiting me. Well travelled etc. They would be getting the train from Hove up and back.

I was going to go with them and then just sit in a cafe and work while they went and did their thing, but they've said they'll be fine on their own.

Obviously I'll check with both sets of parents and they will have the final call. Just interested in what other people think?

Thanks!

OP posts:
PinkHeart5914 · 18/05/2018 13:19

If they are well travelled and sensible I would allow it, at 15 and 16 I don’t think most would need an adult tbh.

I was allowed at that age but then I was allowed to travel to another country alone to see my grandparents too

Domino20 · 18/05/2018 13:19

They'll be fine. Kids who live in London are travelling, often considerable distances, to school on their own from 11 years old. Just have an emergency plan in place and make sure their phones are charged before leaving. They'll have a great time!

Original poster
aaarrrggghhhh · 18/05/2018 13:24

Thanks! I'm still adjusting from my niece needing me to tie her shoelaces. She did mumble something about it being more likely that she would need to look after me...

They're coming from another country on their own. Indeed they booked their flights on their own.

So a fun London day for them it is!

OP posts:
SaucyJack · 18/05/2018 13:27

If you think they're sensible, and capable of going around a city by themselves then I don't see the problem.

I live a couple of miles down the road from you, and having done the easy Hove to London Vic route meself numerous times, then the travelling would be the least concern for me.

justanotheruser18 · 18/05/2018 13:31

I'd have said yes before reading the book I'm currently reading. 2 16 year olds take an unaccompanied trip to London (from Cornwall) and one of the girls goes missing.

justanotheruser18 · 18/05/2018 13:33

But when I was that age my friends and i were always in London at the weekend, unaccompanied.

Idratherhaveacupoftea · 18/05/2018 13:37

I was working in London at the age of 15.

DillyDilly · 18/05/2018 13:38

@justanotheruser. - I’ve read that book and won’t spoil the storyline for you but I very much doubt anything like that will happen to the the OP’s niece.

moita · 18/05/2018 13:42

They'll be fine. I was working in London at 16. Don't let recent news reports scare you.

Nodnol · 18/05/2018 13:43

@justanotheruser, what is it called?

OP, I’d be fine with it. Hope they have a great time!

Amanduh · 18/05/2018 13:46

Absolutely fine.

MycatsaPirate · 18/05/2018 13:46

I used to get on a train to London with friends travelling from Dorset when I was 14. We'd spend the day bus and tube hopping, going round covent garden and the like and then be home in the evening.

It's so easy to navigate round London, just make sure they get their travel sorted before going.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 18/05/2018 13:47

Yep, they'll be fine!

Mountainsoutofmolehills · 18/05/2018 13:50

yes. it's fine, and good for them. we were sensible without mobile phones and got up to loads of respectable fun. the worst comes to worst, the rule is to meet outside the last tube station entrance you went through. i loved those trips to London, and felt very grown up. kudos for you to be such an awesome mum.

MatildaTheCat · 18/05/2018 13:50

Definitely up to their parents but I would be ok as long as they had a clear plan and emergency plans if, say, they lost one another. Also enough cash for emergency taxi etc.

They will have fun and feel grown up.

(The book has some weaknesses Smile )

paddlingwhenIshouldbeworking · 18/05/2018 13:50

I'd say fine. If you all have iphones you could enable fine my iphone so you could help direct them but only suggest that because they aren't yours so the responsibility maybe seem a bit greater!

Frogletmamma · 18/05/2018 13:53

Yes let them go. Just ensure phones are charged and they have enough cash. At 16 I cleared off to Paris with my friend and I still remember the exhilarating sense of independence,

AmeliaScott · 18/05/2018 13:58

They'll be fine. I would have a chat about their plans though to make sure they know where they are going and have a plan if separated. London is generally very safe but I wouldn't want them going to certain places (unlikely as they will probably just want to go to the massive top shop etc).

Yvest · 18/05/2018 14:00

Yes absolutely fine but check where they’re planning on going. West end, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden, Soho all fine. I’m still don’t let my 15 year old go to Elephant & Castle / Brixton / parts of E London alone. He’s not overly streetwise and doesn’t know the areas so he and his friends stick to the area l have mentioned above

Nuffaluff · 18/05/2018 14:01

I did it at that age. Memories...

Nuffaluff · 18/05/2018 14:02

Argos. Paid with my eBay money

InsomniacAnonymous · 18/05/2018 14:02

I moved to London on my own at 16. I was going there on my own at 12. It's a bit pathetic if a 15 and a 16 yr old can't cope together.

Nuffaluff · 18/05/2018 14:02

Whoops! That was supposed to be a text to DH!

OliviaStabler · 18/05/2018 14:07

Depends what they are going there for? The real reason, not what they say to others.

Original poster
aaarrrggghhhh · 18/05/2018 14:08

Well theres a book that won't be going on my book club list....

Okay great you've all put my mind at rest!

OP posts:
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