To be too worried to let my 15 yr old go to London

[Bunnyfuller]

….with her friend the same age?

They want to go skating in Trafalgar Sq and then for a wander in Covent garden. 40 minute journey into London on one train, then obvs the Tube.

My DD has been to London with us lots, but never on her own. She’s always had lifts to places, even if they then go around on their own.

DH is working the next 2 weekends, and my other daughter has to work and needs lifts there and back (no buses in the area). She’s only recently started at her job so doesn’t know anyone to ask for a lift.

I guess it’s a WWYD.

I'm considering letting DD go when she is 14 next summer. She can confidently lead the way and can walk from Waterloo to Cov Gdn and the west end.

Whether DH agrees is another matter!

What are you worried about?

Its brilliant your daughter wants to do this. Its okay to feel nervous, but you do have to let her go.

And how far are you from city centre?

Let her go- 15 is quite old enough to catch a train and the tube is easy easy.

Let her go if she’s sensible and she takes her phone. Arrange check in times and when she’ll be back; got to let her go sometime

Yes I think this would be fine and they will be central and it will be busy.

I let mine go with a similarly aged friend this summer and I was so worried but they handled it great! Said the Tube was easy, enjoyed themselves, didn't miss the last train home. The fact there was two of them, the other parents were on board and they stayed in touch via mobile meant it was all fine.

Where is she travelling from? We live in a town on the outskirts of Glasgow and I'd have no problem with a 15yo travelling into Glasgow - I wouldn't be letting them travel down to London though.

She'll be fine! I assume she'll have a phone so she can call for help or company.

Unfortunately, when it comes to our DC growing up and becoming responsible, us parents have to just bite the bullet. I think 15 is a fine age for what she's suggesting. Fully charged phone, emergency money and a cheery wave off. You'll worry, but don't tell her that. Show that you trust her and keep those normal fears to yourself.

Can you verbalise exactly what you're worried about?

Would your DD be happy to share her location with you so you know where she is?

If there are specific scenarios which bother you, can you talk them through with DD, and discuss good ways to deal with them?

I hope I'd be happy to let DD do that when she's 15, though I may feel the same as you.

Going a tiny bit against the grain in that YANBU if your DD and friend have been raised in a semi-rural or rural location. I was running around Paris on my own at age 12, but I grew up there so knew the city well. I presume London is about the same as a similar size city. My DC were raised outside cities and it took longer to get them mature and experienced enough to safely travel into a major city on their own. I didn’t let them go on their own until they were 16 with friends. So I think you and her father are the best judges as to whether your DD is ready for this or not. You could always accompany them and then once in Trafalgar square “release” them to wander about on their own but meet back up with you for the journey home. That might be a good way to increase their street smarts but still give them some time to navigate city by themselves.

I grew up about 80 miles from London (pre mobile phone) - I used to come up here for weekends with sister from 14 (she met me at the mainline station the first time, after that I'd get the tube to her home or work); day trips on my own or with friends probably about 14 too.
Apart from getting a train to Clapton rather than Clacton on one occasion which was a bit confusing, no major mishaps.

Used to travel to south of France by myself (ferry and train) from about 15 too.

For me If they’re 15 and turning 16 this academic year then I’d say yes but if they’re only just turned 15 then I wouldn’t be so keen. I also wonder what would happen if they did have some kind of problem and you needed to go to them?

I first went to London with my best friend at 15, this was 30 years ago so no mobile phones. My parents knew we were sensible and trusted us, I'd been to London many times with them so new my way around to some degree. I remember putting £10 in my bra just in case my bag was stolen. She will be just fine.

There's a great thread running at the moment about the best advice you've been given. Someone posted in there about saying "yes" to your children when you can so that when you say "no" they know you'll really mean it. The poster worded that a lot better than me but I thought it was great advice.

Yes, I would let them. Need to start learning this stuff sometime and if they have phones and stick together there’s not much that can go terribly wrong

Are you sure there is skating in Trafalgar Square? I passed earlier and only saw a Christmas Market

@Solasum

Are you sure there is skating in Trafalgar Square? I passed earlier and only saw a Christmas Market

Same. No skating today.

DD started going into London with friends at 15 and DS will do the same - they have both spent loads of time there so know their way about.

It totally depends on your dd!
I don't think I could trust mine on escalators and how to cross busy London roads
We live by a busy road and I don't feel I've ever managed to road train her inspite of repetitive trying.

I was doing this exact trip from about 13 with friends (40 mins train to London then tube) we always had a great

@Naughtynovembertree are you talking about a 15 year old? You don't trust your 15 year old on an escalator. Unless they have additional needs that's crazy, they could be in the army in a year!

What ice skating in Trafalgar Square??