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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to let them camp on an island overnight?

668 replies

chomalungma · 01/08/2020 18:01

(Inspired by another thread)

We are on holiday in the Lake District. Lovely cottage. DH is working away. DC's have seen a lovely island and want to go camping there for a few nights. Light a campfire, cook for themselves. They'll get there by sailing boat. Youngest is 6 and oldest is 14.

Would you let them go?

OP posts:
nevermorelenore · 01/08/2020 18:23

Ha, I thought you were doing a Famous Five for a while. It was crazy what those kids were allowed to get up to. And not an adult with a DBS and paediatric first aid certificate in sight.

ListeningQuietly · 01/08/2020 18:23

We didn't mean to go to sea

alphasox · 01/08/2020 18:23

It will be fine, just ask the lady at the farm down the way to keep an eye out and let them have milk and cake. Lol

I love how many people thought this was serious Wink

Bluebellbike · 01/08/2020 18:27

YABU. Too much responsibility for a 14 yo. Definitely no camp fires though. Far too easy for them to get out of control, destroying wildlife habitats and beautiful trees.

TeenPlusTwenties · 01/08/2020 18:27

They can send you a message back by pigeon post, or set up an elaborate system with flags.
Just watch out for dodgy people wearing squashy hats, and keep an eye out for the armadillo.

EarringsandLipstick · 01/08/2020 18:29

This thread 👏👏👏

Loving all the excellent Swallow & Amazon references!

DappledThings · 01/08/2020 18:30

I so wanted to call my daughter Dorothea but DH vetoed it.

PoodleMoth · 01/08/2020 18:31

My first thought was Enid Blyton Famous Five! I have never actually read Swallows and Amazons. Can you even imagine thinking about letting children do that these days! Apparently my grandad used to play down the river with his siblings all day every day aged 2 and no adults to supervise!

CaptainNancy · 01/08/2020 18:31

That's actually my island, and I'd better not find any land lubbers on it!
I'll scupper their boat in the bay.

MissSarahThane · 01/08/2020 18:31

Came in to see how long it would take for someone to ask if they were duffers!

DanielRicciardosSmile · 01/08/2020 18:31

Is it your own private island? And are they rowing over with Timmy the dog?

CaptainNancy · 01/08/2020 18:33

I only share grog if they share tea.

Bumpsadaisie · 01/08/2020 18:34

I think you should let the youngest go as long as he promises to wash every day and do what his eldest brother and sister say.

What kind of eggs is your eldest girl best at? (I don't count boiled.)

ineedaholidaynow · 01/08/2020 18:34

Interestingly DH never read Swallows and Amazons but loved the Famous Five. I was the complete opposite. Looks as if there could be a similar divide on this thread. DS has had the benefit of the love of both sets of books Smile

Puddlelane123 · 01/08/2020 18:35

Only if one of them is called Titty!

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 01/08/2020 18:35

@CaptainNancy

That's actually my island, and I'd better not find any land lubbers on it! I'll scupper their boat in the bay.
You won’t if we’ve taken the Amazon.
nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 01/08/2020 18:36

Not sure if you have clarified this already but this is an island in a lake right? Not ocean? Because if ocean, does it remain when the tide comes in? Only my cousins and I nearly got stranded and drowned on a little island that we swam out to once. Didn't occur to us that it was only visible at low tide. I wouldn't leave a 6 year old in the sole care of a 14 year old around water either way though, never mind how responsible they are.

BaldAndWild · 01/08/2020 18:36

Will there be grog?

Great Northerns used to be my favourite birds, I feel aggrieved that they are also known as "loons". They are NOT loons, they are sleek and elegant (and probably intelligent).

2bazookas · 01/08/2020 18:37

I wouldn't let a 14 yr old be responsible for a 6 yr old in a boat / or overnight on an island. Don't assume they would be alone there.

Nor would I send them to camp/light a fire on someone elses land, or island, without the knowledge and permission of its owner. If the owner spots campers or a fire on his land he might steam over there to read the riot act. Or, local teens might think " wahey, Party!" and decide to join in. Far too many variables for a 14 yr old to manage safely.

From Primary school onward our kids often camped out/bivouacked together (without us) overnight (and cooked their food on a campfire) but it was on our own land, well out of sight from anyone else.

Iwantalonglie · 01/08/2020 18:38

No, I wouldn't. They'll get hungry and want a midnight snack. And if they've finished the ginger bear and spam, the older ones might just eat the little one...

Strawberrypancakes · 01/08/2020 18:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IceCreamSummer20 · 01/08/2020 18:38

Drowning is a real risk with younger kids. Just no!

ListeningQuietly · 01/08/2020 18:41

I always wanted to be Nancy because she was ruthless Grin

FlamedToACrisp · 01/08/2020 18:41

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut

Not sure if you have clarified this already but this is an island in a lake right? Not ocean? Because if ocean, does it remain when the tide comes in? Only my cousins and I nearly got stranded and drowned on a little island that we swam out to once. Didn't occur to us that it was only visible at low tide. I wouldn't leave a 6 year old in the sole care of a 14 year old around water either way though, never mind how responsible they are.
Don't worry, I'm sure the Eels will keep an eye out for them if the tides are tricky!
roxfox · 01/08/2020 18:41

Hehe are you aunt fanny? Is this famous five?!Grin

Also no. Lol. Adult needs to supervise.