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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:
riotlady · 15/07/2021 19:59

Sounds like a perfect day out

SmidgenofaPigeon · 15/07/2021 20:01

I don’t know what you think the danger is.

TotorosCatBus · 15/07/2021 20:01

I would let them go but pay for my dd. Wouldn't want the boy paying yo lead to your dd feeling like she owes him.

My dd has been going to Thorpe Park and Alton Towers without adults since y7 and it's been fine

TotorosCatBus · 15/07/2021 20:04

Is it just 2 of them? Bigger groups are more fun

KittyMcKitty · 15/07/2021 20:06

All the children I know (mine included went from year 7 - dropped them off in the morning picked up at end of day. By end of year 10 they had had enough and stopped going.

warmfluffytowels · 15/07/2021 20:07

At 15? Why on earth not?

whynotwhatknot · 15/07/2021 20:07

is he really paying for them do you still have to pre book a slot-try and get them 241 tickets

apart from all that id let her go i was going round london at 15 probably shouldnt but i lived in east london so didnt see it wa sa big deal

NerrSnerr · 15/07/2021 20:09

I would 100% let her go and make sure she has enough money to pay for her ticket too.

Hellocatshome · 15/07/2021 20:11

They are 15 in a public place, what could possibly happen? You want to worry when she is 15 and wants to hang out in the park after dark drinking.

Hankunamatata · 15/07/2021 20:11

She could be doing lots of worse things than going to Thorpe park (remembers fondly lying in the long grass in fields with a boy at 15)

User135792468 · 15/07/2021 20:11

Why would you allow the other boy to pay for your dd? It doesn’t sound like a birthday party. It really irks me when adults actively allow their dc to take advantage of other children.

15 yo is more than old enough to go to a theme park.

DavidTheDog · 15/07/2021 20:16

Sounds great. I would pay for her though, and if I didn't know the others I'd offer them all a lift to the train station.

sugarapplelane · 15/07/2021 20:17

I would let her go, but like you I would have apprehensions about it being Thorpe Park.

We go often as have Merlin passes and enjoy the rides. But I don't like the park itself and I've seen many an altercation there.

sillybut · 15/07/2021 20:19

DD has just returned from a day at Drayton Manor with 4 of her friends - all 15 and had a brilliant day. They're topping it off with pizza in the garden right now. DP dropped them off and picked them up.

I wasn't worried as they're all responsible girls, they were in a group and once the tickets were paid for, they didn't really need much money with them. They took a picnic and all had mobile phones.

Let her go but contact boys parents and offer to pay for the tickets - it may be that he was given money to take friends out for the day but its best to be sure.

Also children in general have missed out on so much over the last 18 months I'm so happy to see them going out and doing something fun at last.

PlanetMJ · 15/07/2021 20:20

Uhm, are you sure they will definitely actually go to the theme park and are not using it as a cover for something less wholesome. Thinking about the previous poster mentioning hanging out in London that day? Could they have thought up the story about the friend paying to avoid being told no due to costs?
Thinking about my 15 year old self rolling around in fields with boys and dropping acid.....

KathyWilliams · 15/07/2021 20:20

OP, honestly, it's fine. I am assuming that Thorpe Park is one of the adventure park type things. If this is the worst thing your DD wants to do at 15, you are 100000000% fine. Even if one of the boys can be a bit "silly".

I'm still in trench warfare with DC5, who is 17, btw.

wedswench · 15/07/2021 20:20

Absolutely let them go. Mine has been going to Thorpe park since 13 without parents. First two years they went with lifts both ways, left at the gate. By 15 they were going under their own steam (trains and buses)

It's a very safe environment. Safer than going in to a big town I'd say although at 15 that's allowed too obviously

FAQs · 15/07/2021 20:20

4 x 15/16 year olds, they’ll be fine! My daughter went with three friends to Alton Towers at 14 and has been in various other numbers since. No adults present. I was more worried she would lose her phone.

Kanaloa · 15/07/2021 20:21

More than old enough, I’d be worried if she couldn’t handle such a small amount of independence. I would pay for her ticket though, it could be a bit awkward if not - for example if she gets in an argument with the boy or anything like that, he might refuse to pay. I would just feel better knowing my child had paid their own way on the day out.

MadeOfStarStuff · 15/07/2021 20:22

YABU a theme park is a pretty safe environment for 15 year olds, I’m not sure what you expect to happen.

CP191989 · 15/07/2021 20:23

If your DD is sensible enough and is street wise then that’s all that matters make sure she’s got a charged up phone money in case there’s an emergency and train times are checked. Hope she has a good time

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 15/07/2021 20:26

She'll be fine. Great chance for her to stretch her legs and enjoy some independence. And some FUN!

MyriadeOfThings · 15/07/2021 20:27

Let her go!
Just one train away. They are together and know each other well.

That’s by doing things that are more ‘risky’ but in a still very controlled environment (because it will be) that teenagers learn best.

RevolutionRadio · 15/07/2021 20:27

At 15 I was travelling distances to go to gigs and staying overnight so a theme park with friends seems relatively safe.

VickyEadieofThigh · 15/07/2021 20:30

@RevolutionRadio

At 15 I was travelling distances to go to gigs and staying overnight so a theme park with friends seems relatively safe.
Me too! In 1974...