To not want my 15 year old DD going to Notting Hill Carnival

[Margot110]

Hi all, my DD (15, 16 in November) is set on going to carnival tomorrow with 5 or so friends. I’m terrified of the violence (acid and splashing), not so much her being overwhelmed with her being very streetwise and not someone to find these situations scary. I know she’d have a good time but I’m just very scared of something going wrong and she’s trying to tell me the likelihood of this is low but I’m not convinced

A music festival is more fun, imo, but then I'd worry about drugs.

I don't blame you, I'm not keen on my (23yo) au pair going! Its better than wanting to go to Reading festival though......

I'd be tempted to get her to go next year instead and offer to pay for her and her friends to go out for lunch instead?

Do people mean it's too dangerous for 15 year olds without adults or for 15 year olds period? Because I don't know the festival but I've just shared a train carriage with around fifteen children who looked to be aged between 4 and 11 (and their mums) who were all on their way back from Notting Hill Carnival. They had facepaint, foam fingers, whistles, painty clothes and were totally high on sugar - but they seemed to have had a good family day out.

I wouldn't go again due to the lack of toilets and so much walking! Remember I had to pay someone to use the toilet in their house! Drinking and no toilets was not fun

If she must go, morning only! Before people are high and drunk and before the huge masses show up. I went on the Sunday a year ago, on my own (I was 21, I looked 16-18), the morning was nice to walk around and see what's to see. I had to deal with strangers (grown-arse-men) trying to talk to me and a fair bit. Sunday is supposed to be family day but the rain today might have changed that.

By about 15:00 is goes a bit down hill but I met up with some people (guys) at this point so I was mostly fine safety wise someone did grab me by the neck in a crowd though and I didn't tell the guys till we were well away. We left went the sun was going down and went to a pub, I don't think your DD should be there at that point.

For me 15 year olds unsupervised. A police officer friend said to me a couple of years ago "NHC is a very different place for a someone in their forties, and a teenager. For you it's a bit of fun and you'll get a few drinks and some food, watch the floats and head home but for a teenager it's full of threat coming from all angles" and I agree with that. FWIW she wouldn't let her kids go either.

It's a shame she's missed today, especially if this year would be her first experience of carnival. My DD was there earlier today - she's 13 - and had a great time in spite of the rain.

What alternative activity is on offer if she doesn't go tomorrow? Would she be happy to go for the afternoon only? How confident is she when it comes to navigating her way around London by foot?

If my DD was 15 and wanted to go tomorrow, I'd explain the risks but ultimately, if I thought she would make sensible choices and could get herself home, I'd let her go. Of course I'd be devastated if she was hurt as the result of going to carnival but then I'd be devastated if she was hurt whilst anywhere. Sadly, stabbings and acid attacks aren't limited to events.

Makes sense CarolDanvers, thanks.

We used to go to reading festival and hit the carnival on the way back on Monday, from about age16-22/23 2000-2007 ish, it was great fun. I went again a couple of years ago and found it a bit dull and a bit crowded but that's me showing my age. If she's sensible let her go, just give her an early time to be home it's the Monday night that can get rough after everything finishes, although the police presence is incredibly high these days, I noticed that a lot when I went two years ago

No way in hell. I had to walk back through the after party of carnival once, after working at Westfield. It was 9pm and a 10 minute walk round the corner to where I was staying in Holland Park. It was the most frightened I've ever been- I was 25. I know it was more post carnival but assuming that it was overspill from carnival, YANBU. I'd not want any child of mine near it. Period.

It's so busy now, but if they stay together and leave early will be ok. Pickpockets and drunken folk to be wary of, it's a bit over hyped and commercial now, lost its way, used to be a great family day out

My brother is going and he is dreading it. He is a policeman who will be wearing full kit and supported by his colleagues. He prefers boring shifts.
If my daughter was old enough to be considering it, HE wouldn’t let her go.

Did she end up going?

We live on the route, and weren't planning on going withDD who is 10 month, but as we were walking back home from where the car was (a mile away!) the vibe seemed really chilled this year.

We took her out with us and just did 2 hours. And it was fab.

Either way, it's a tough choice to make and I hope either way you all had a good day

X

She did end up going as I couldn’t help but think about all I did in my youth and had a great time. Came back stinking of alcohol and weed- I’m telling myself it was from the surroundings and it her but I’m most likely lying to myself, nevertheless I’m happy she’s in one piece and also very happy