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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want DD to go to Thorpe Park?

233 replies

demo2026 · 15/07/2021 19:26

DD is 15, it is her last day at school tomorrow before the summer holidays. One of the days next week, she wants to go to Thorpe Park with her friends, 2 other girls and one boy. They're all 15, the boy said he's going to pay as his parents are giving him some money.

The problem is, his parents won't be there so it'll be just them. I'm not really comfortable as they're all only 15.

Am I being too overprotective and I should let her go? What are other peoples opinions on this?

OP posts:
Palavah · 15/07/2021 19:28

How close is Thorpe Park to where you live? How will they get there? What would need to be true for you to feel comfortable with her going?

WaterBottle123 · 15/07/2021 19:29

Are they sensible kids?

Midnightballerina · 15/07/2021 19:30

They're 15 not 5
What is it you're worried about?

Playdoughcaterpillar · 15/07/2021 19:30

I would if you can drop and pick up or it's an easy journey for them. They could leave home next year!

titchy · 15/07/2021 19:31

What do you think is going to happen to them? Confused

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 15/07/2021 19:32

How will they get there?

SmidgenofaPigeon · 15/07/2021 19:32

At 15? But you’ll know where there’ll be all day. I think you’re being crazily overprotective.

Wannakisstheteacher · 15/07/2021 19:32

I’d let her go - but I’d never let the boy pay Shock I very much doubt his parents gave him money so that he can pay for 3 other people.

Goawayquickly · 15/07/2021 19:32

They'll be fine! Do you live near?

Hobbesmanc · 15/07/2021 19:33

I think a theme park is actually a pretty safe environment for teenagers. Its a contained place, staff will be alert to single men etc and the rides are really safe- more chance of an injury on a bus than a roller coaster. As long as someone responsible drops them off and picks up I'd be happy. We used to go to the local fair at 11 on our own

SmidgenofaPigeon · 15/07/2021 19:33

Also yes how much money will the boy be given?!

Cover her ticket.

Donatella · 15/07/2021 19:33

My 13 old went to Chessington a few weeks ago with her friends, I'd be wary of her going to Thorpe Park as you tend to get more groups of rowdy teens, but I think I'd be OK with it at 15.

Doublestar · 15/07/2021 19:33

What are you worried about? 15yo's don't generally want an adult trailing around a theme park with them so even if I took my dd and her friends I wouldn't hang around (plus I hate theme parks).
How far away are you if something goes wrong?

I remember being taken to a theme park with school at age 11 and being allowed to go off on our own - the teachers just went and did their own thing and met us at the end of the day.

Liviannaranna · 15/07/2021 19:33

15?! Is Thorpe park near you, because my ds was going with his friends alone from year 6..so 11-12yo. They would get dropped off and picked up but would be in the theme park alone.

Hercisback · 15/07/2021 19:34

At 15 you need to let her go! She's not a baby anymore and needs to develop her independence.

JustWonderingIfYou · 15/07/2021 19:35

15 years old?

Gosh, you sound slightly over protective. I'd say its normal for 12year olds to go around thorpe Park alone. She's practically an adult, do you not trust her for some reason?

Do you baby her in other ways? Probably not helpful in the long run tbh, give her some independence.

shouldistop · 15/07/2021 19:35

Of course they should go?!

We went to Alton towers on a school trip aged 13 and just got sent off for the day with a time and place to meet.

Load3 · 15/07/2021 19:36

As the mother of a five year old I am aghast.
As an ex fifteen year old - I was boozing in parks at that age so a trip to a theme park sounds positively wholesome.

secular39 · 15/07/2021 19:36

@Liviannaranna

15?! Is Thorpe park near you, because my ds was going with his friends alone from year 6..so 11-12yo. They would get dropped off and picked up but would be in the theme park alone.
That's a bit young sorry and a bit careless
Waxonwaxoff0 · 15/07/2021 19:36

15 is plenty old enough to go to a theme park on their own, you're being way OTT.

nosyupnorth · 15/07/2021 19:36

YABU. At 15 your DD should be well into developling the skills to do things independently and be more than able to spend a day at a pre-agreed location, which will be busy with families and with staff all around. I notice you haven't given a reason you think she shouldn't which makes me think deep down you know it's an irrational concern.

ShitPoetryClub · 15/07/2021 19:36

IME Theme parks are very well policed, she will be fine, however I couldn't accept another child paying unless it was a birthday treat or something.

ElderButtFuckinNaked · 15/07/2021 19:37

I think that sounds absolutely fine. There are loads of attendants and security at Thorpe park.

Better than drinking cider in a car park!

Oblomov21 · 15/07/2021 19:37

You have got to be kidding me. We live close and everyone I know has let their dc go in groups, alone, from a much younger age than 15.

Ds2 is going tomorrow on a school trip. And they are y7.

What are you concerns. This seems totally illogical and completely overprotective. They are a nice group of 15 year olds? They will be dropped off and picked up? So what's the issue?

shouldistop · 15/07/2021 19:37

You should pay for her ticket though