12 yo going to town

[boomshakalak]

Would you let a responsible 12yo go to town with a friend for a few hours?

Am dropping off and they're getting bus home.

They're doing some shopping and getting lunch.

Yes of course.

Yes. Mine did this the other day in fact (although I collected as only very patchy rural bus service here).

Sounds fine to me.

Yeah - I used to be allowed in central
London at 12 on my own so not quite sure why I'm questioning it!

I think maybe cos we are quite rural here - things like this seem like a bigger deal!

Gosh, yes. Mine were doing it from year 7 onwards.

Yep

Yes that's absolutely fine.

Yes I used to the get the train into nearest town and back at that age.

Yes! I used to do this all the time from that age. I lived in walking distance so didn't even get the bus!

I'd love it if he did.

Yes, although at that age a couple of my DC's friends' parents used to insist on going too and sitting in a coffee shop "just in case".
So I think either approach would be ok (but you're probably wouldn't want to do the coffe shop thing by the time they are much older).

Yes absolutely.

It’s confidence building. If they have a phone you could ask for a text when they get there and when on bus home to put your mind at rest.

Yes.

Gone off in the pissing rain with no coats and hair perfectly curled.

Laughing away.

Wish I was 12 again!

Yep.

My ds 12 yrs walks into town has lunch etc and walks back. He meets up with friends and it does help that one of his school friends lives around the corner and they walk together.

Yes of course ,although my two were brought up in London. So always in town. But they would get tube or bus to nearest big shopping centre from year 7 with thier friends.

Of course! They're 12. It's fine.