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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:
frazzledfragglefromfragglerock · 16/07/2021 17:49

Next week is kids week at Thorpe park so it will be full of unsupervised school kids. I have been several times with school groups and have seen things kick off a couple of times (though security is all over it) I would let my kids go on that week only if I or another adult was somewhere on site.

As it happens my daughter (12) is going on a school trip next week. I have already lectured her about looking out for idiots, sticking with her friends and not to worry about leaving a queue if they're unhappy and going to teacher base if needed even if she misses out on rides!

OldMamaOf3 · 16/07/2021 17:51

She'll be fine, a little independence goes a long way.
Pay for her ticket, they'll have phones if they need to contact you.

KatherineJaneway · 16/07/2021 18:00

@demo2026

DD has finished school now, and I asked her if she was sure if the boy is paying as its expensive and she said yes and it'll only be her and the boy as he's fallen out with the two other girls.
This would worry me
Hillary17 · 16/07/2021 18:07

Seem to be in the minority here but I’d say no. A parent can take them and hang back, fine. On their own no.

NeverForgetYourDreams · 16/07/2021 18:11

I would say yes

But you have to book at the moment. You can't just turn up

We are going next week with our teen 15. Family day out. Luckily he still wants to be seen with us (no doubt he will milk us for cash all day but I'm grateful he still enjoys our company .... for now) (I love roller coasters and we are 3 hours drive from TP)

Bibidy · 16/07/2021 18:14

I think it's fine at that age, I used to go with my friends all the time at 14/15. Lots of teens go alone together.

Only thing I wouldn't be keen on is the long train journey, but that also depends on whether it's a long distance or just slow trains!

She will also need to get the shuttle bus from Staines as trains don't go directly to Thorpe Park. Don't know if that costs anything or not but if she does go make sure she has enough for that.

Bibidy · 16/07/2021 18:15

But you have to book at the moment. You can't just turn up

Echoing this too!! I am local to TP so follow them on FB and every day they are posting asking people to not just show up as they will not be admitted. It needs to be booked otherwise she won't get in and there isn't much else to do locally.

Wonderfulstuff · 16/07/2021 18:30

Your child, your rules.

But you've posted on a public forum so here's my view ;-) ... your daughter is at an age where there is a whole world of tempting excitement at her finger tips. You need to start letting her of the leash and practicing what it is to be independent, make good decisions for herself, make mistakes etc otherwise she'll get to her next life stage e.g. uni/work and will struggle. So let her go but ask for a clear plan e.g. what time trains, how will she get from station to TP, times for communications etc. If it's her first time doing something like this also be prepared for things to go wrong like missing trains, losing tickets etc and be prepared to rescue her. Hopefully you've raised a vaguely sensible young woman who is ready for this!

FunMcCool · 16/07/2021 18:31

What’s holding you back op?

Lau52 · 16/07/2021 18:38

My 15 year old recently went with her friend. There dad dropped off and picked up but In park on own. They had great time. I also lived near all parks at that age so used to go friends all the time. I thing I did was buy a purse belt that fit her phone and money. She wore this under clothes so didn’t have to leave bag while on rides. Thorpe park is bit more notorious for bags going missing.

SallyWD · 16/07/2021 18:38

I went to theme parks with my friends all the time at that age (was a long journey too). We'd also go to London for the day. Its part of growing up, becoming independent and having fun. My teenage years would have been miserable if my parents hadn't let me do these things.

miltonj · 16/07/2021 18:38

@Hillary17

Seem to be in the minority here but I’d say no. A parent can take them and hang back, fine. On their own no.
Why though?
Nyala · 16/07/2021 18:41

I travelled to Drayton Manor aged 14, on the bus with 2 friends, from South West Midlands.

Yes, you're being over protective

cherish123 · 16/07/2021 19:06

Depends on:

How they will get there
How far away it is
How sensible she is
How sensible the other kids are

I would also make sure she has enough money in case of eventualities.

staringstepan · 16/07/2021 19:13

You haven't said what you're so concerned about op. They won't be able to drink alcohol in TP. I'd think it's a pretty safe activity?

I first went to Alton Towers without parents at 13, and it was fine. TP is much smaller.

sgtmajormum · 16/07/2021 19:19

My son went last week on an inset day with his friend. They are year 8 so 12 & 13
I dropped them off, other parent picked them up. They had a great time.

toastantea · 16/07/2021 19:26

I would have absolutely no problem with my 15 year old going by public transport to a theme park. I would not have anyone else pay though. I would ensure she had enough in the bank to cover anything she may need. Including the cost of return transport in the case of missed train/lost ticket.

sassbott · 16/07/2021 19:27

At 15 as many others have said I would allow it. I’d probably still want to drop off/ collect with other parents but aside from that it’s a very secure environment.

RippleEffects · 16/07/2021 19:28

DS, also 15, went to Alton Towers a couple of weeks after it reopened with two friends. Also 1.5 hrs + from us.

They had a blast. But found it really wierd as things aren't quite like they used to be.

One big thing they had issue with was everything was contactless payment only and you needed to NHS track and trace check in to eat inside (it was cooler then).

We'd (parents) all given them cash, keen that they had a good out of lockdown just being a teen day out.
DS has a debit card so could have used that, but he'd left it at home worried he might drop it, just taking some cash.

At 15, they hadn't pre-installed the NHS app. I'm not 100% sure they needed to have it - DS is quite a rule follower so didn't want to be inside without it.

DS also feels more comfortable wearing a mask so had one and a spare. If catching public transport its something to consider.

What would your DD do if they had a falling out/ if he suggested a detour somewhere else/ if he abandons her? Could she manage getting home, would she pick up the phone, could you jump in a car and get her?

Straycats · 16/07/2021 19:39

Bought season tickets for my kids when they were 12-13 years old, as did their friends parents. They went mostly to Thorpe Park but Chessington also. They'd mainly go when their school had inset days, they have wonderful memories and never encountered any problems. I think it's a shame, that you can't let your child go, as they need these little independent steps, which make it easier for them ie going to uni (only a few years away!)

Fluffmum · 16/07/2021 19:41

How far away do you live? They will be fine

WildJelly · 16/07/2021 19:47

Is it the journey you're most worried about? Do they need to change trains? I think lock down has distorted out perception of what's normal for teens somewhat. Ore-Covid I would have no issue with my DC doing this. Lost Covid I would be taking a deep breath, but still allowing it.

Lovely13 · 16/07/2021 19:56

Would not worry about a Thorpe park visit for a 15 year old. Getting there may be a problem though, if you’re not transporting them. The entry fee is expensive, so the parents are being very generous,

Nikkidolphin · 16/07/2021 20:00

We live a 15 minute drive away from flamingo land and my 14 year old son went the other week with 4 friends (3 girls, 2 boys) I took them all and watched them go through admissions and waited at the gates to bring them home. They had a great time so I’ll let him do it again! My daughter lives a few minutes walk from Thorpe park so I’d let him visit there too with his sister.

marktayloruk · 16/07/2021 20:23

Let her go of course. And if someone else is willing to pay be glad!

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