To not want DD to go to Thorpe Park?

[demo2026]

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?

15 is perfectly fine. Iv been going alone since I was 12/13

Absolutely let her go.

@20viona

15 is perfectly fine. Iv been going alone since I was 12/13

Really?! I'm surprised you were allowed in.

from year 6..so 11-12yo. They would get dropped off and picked up but would be in the theme park alone.

Probably not true since you have to be accompanied under the age of 12 (unless they lied of course)

My DS went last October half term in a small group. They were 14. They had a ball.

15 is definitely old enough to go on their own. Does she not already do lots of things on her own with friends?

I wouldn't let the boy pay, though. I'd make sure she had enough to pay for a ticket and get some food. Has she saved some from her allowance for the trip?

@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.

11/12yrs is completly irresponsible !!!

Just seen it is a birthday trip for the boy in which case I'd just check with the parents it is ok to pay for her ticket. Is there anything specifically you are worried about?

Don't let the boy pay, let them go.

I went abroad on holiday with friend at that age. They will be fine.

11/12yrs is completly irresponsible !!!

There's loads of groups that age over the summer. Parents drop off in the morning with Merlin Annual Pass and they stay until parents finish work. Schools often have trips and the kids wander without supervision.

Nope, I wouldn’t allow my DD to take this trip. Not even entirely sure why , but they are still children. Maybe as I only have an infant I don’t understand.

@TotorosCatBus

11/12yrs is completly irresponsible !!!

There's loads of groups that age over the summer. Parents drop off in the morning with Merlin Annual Pass and they stay until parents finish work. Schools often have trips and the kids wander without supervision.

They shouldn't be allowed in. School kids on a trip being allowed to wander is completely different, they're still technically accompanied by adults.

Year 6 is 10/11 and they’re definitely not allowed by school to wander round alone. I very much doubt they’d be welcomed in as a group without any parents! From secondary age they are allowed to wander around alone but there are teachers at designated places in the park if needed and obviously lots of kids known to them! A small group with no adults on site is a little different but I would personally allow it at 15

My kids did this loads of times at that age (and younger). Sometimes on the train but sometimes me and another parent would take/collect them. They were absolutely fine.

My 15 year old did this a few weeks ago on an inset day and had a fab time. I would suggest prebooking tickets as it is cheaper and will get booked up - it’s very busy atm.

I went abroad with friends for a week at that age

We live close to Thorpe Park and my 15 year old has been with friends this week. They have never encountered any trouble there. We have heard that sometimes the late night events (around Halloween) can be more for adults, but not the summer days. She will have a great time and it will be full of school trips so lots of kids her age.

@Carboholic

I went abroad with friends for a week at that age

So? That's not exactly normal either.

When I was 15 my friend and I went off for a weeks' cycling holiday in scotland alone! We went up on the train and stayed in youth hostels. The bikes were quickly ditched in favour of liebfraumilch and roll ups.

We lived to tell the tale.

At 15 I was going clubbing with my mates, getting drunk and dancing on podiums, so a day out at Thorpe Park sounds v tame! I am rather old though, grew up when kids were allowed to play out on the street and I know times have changed since.

We used to take the train there from Guildford all the time at 15 and had a blast.

Sometimes our parents would take turns to take us or pick us up.

What's the problem?

@BungleandGeorge

Year 6 is 10/11 and they’re definitely not allowed by school to wander round alone. I very much doubt they’d be welcomed in as a group without any parents! From secondary age they are allowed to wander around alone but there are teachers at designated places in the park if needed and obviously lots of kids known to them! A small group with no adults on site is a little different but I would personally allow it at 15

Can I just give you a 👏🏽 👏🏽 . Sometimes, the stuff I hear that some parents do on Mumsnet... I just think to myself... isn't there any humanity? But then I read sensible posts like yours and I know that there are sensible in this world

I'd think they'd be fine, but get the Kelloggs boxes they need the code from inside and pre-book the tickets, I wouldn't allow another family to pay that even if it is in leu of a birthday party.

You’re being way too overprotective. I know this isn’t the norm by any stretch but I left home and had to fend for myself at 16. You need to unclench.