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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To consider this?

19 replies

firenze86 · 28/08/2018 09:04

My 11 (turning 12 next week) year old DD wants to visit her aunty, who lives a 1 hour train journey away. Straight forward train, only two stops before hers and she would be met at the station. She would have her phone with her. Would you let her?

OP posts:

GreenTulips · 28/08/2018 09:07

Yes I would. Mine were often out all day on bikes at that age. But we live in a safe area.

You put her on the train. She'll be fine.

Thehop · 28/08/2018 09:08

Yes I would actually

Shoxfordian · 28/08/2018 09:09

Yes I think it's good to encourage independence like this

irregularegular · 28/08/2018 09:09

If she is happy with it then yes. Mine took the train to school from Yr 7.

Singlenotsingle · 28/08/2018 09:09

Yes. She can't get lost. She'll be fine.

Dinosaursdontgrowontrees · 28/08/2018 09:13

Yes. Many children travel to school alone at that age. She’ll be fine.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 28/08/2018 09:14

Yes.

Idontbelieveinthemoon · 28/08/2018 09:16

Yes, so long as she's smart enough to behave herself on the train there's no reason not to trust her.

Original poster

firenze86 · 28/08/2018 15:41

thanks everyone! Think I just needed a bit of reassurance :)

OP posts:

ThatLibraryMiss · 28/08/2018 15:58

Does she have an iPhone? You can use Find My Friends to see where she is, if that'll reassure you.

HildaZelda · 28/08/2018 16:00

Yes, absolutely. It's good for kids to be independent.

Bestseller · 28/08/2018 16:01

Yes, absolutely. A great opportunity to let her try a simple journey - says the woman who's been biting her nails all day waiting for the news that DS2 has arrived safely following an eight hour train journey.

CripsSandwiches · 28/08/2018 16:02

It's a great idea. She'll know you trust her, she'll feel confident and independent and there's actually very little to go wrong.

OutPinked · 28/08/2018 16:04

Yes, I used to do this regularly to see my Dad except it was a 2.5 hour train journey and I did it back too.

Pinkyyy · 28/08/2018 16:42

Wow I'm surprised that everyone is saying yes to this, it's definitely made me wonder if I'm over protective. I wouldn't ever allow this in a million years

Bestseller · 28/08/2018 16:43

By 11 loads of children are doing a similar children to get to school on a daily basis Pinkyyy e.g. anyone from my town who passes the 11+

Pinkyyy · 28/08/2018 16:45

I feel so sheltered, I had no idea! I actually didn't even know that children were allowed to get on a train alone? I assumed it was 16+ or something

MereDintofPandiculation · 28/08/2018 17:11

The children doing this to get to school at 11 are usually making thier own way to the station, and making their own way from station to school at the other end. That's a lot more complex than being put on a train, and told which station to get off at, with someone at the other end to meet them.

@Pinkyy By 18, children need to be capable of organising, paying for, and making their own journeys unaided (along with everything else that goes with being an adult). 11 is not too early to start!

Bestseller · 28/08/2018 17:17

I agree Mere. I have one DC who's gone to meet friends in a town 15 miles from here today and another who's gone to meet join a friend's family holiday in Cornwall, leaving at 6am this morning. They're older than OP's DC but still school age.They had to start somewhere. Neither of them would dream of asking for a lift if the journey was fairly straightforward on public transport.

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