to refuse to let my daughter and friends go for evening walk?

[orangesyellobanana]

12 years old.
Year7.
5 of them.
Want to go for a walk around the
block when it goes dark at 6, until 7.
I've said no. No need. They're having a sleepover so why can't they just chill here?
Apparently all their friends Mums are fine with it.

I spent half my childhood doing that. We’d take a walk a couple blocks away to go to the wee shop on most sleep overs. Stop wrapping your kids in cotton wool unless you live in some sort of ghetto.

I think YABU, it’s their choice.

It's a lovely thing to do

Where do you live in a Favela or something?

I spent hours at that age sitting on the chip shop wall talking shite with friends.
Let them go, it's part of the growing up stage.

It's good she asked you.
My dd is 12 and it's not like it's after 10pm.
I'd say yes but I trust her if she is with friends

I would let them if the other parents are fine with it.

Is your area dangerous or super busy?

it’s walking around the block. Assuming they aren’t hanging on street corners it’s fine

Is there something wrong with hanging around on street corners? It's a time honoured tradition.

Awww loved doing that
my kids loved doing that too
what The worry?

A walk around the block with torches won't do any harm as long as their intention is not to play knock knock ginger a really old
Game from
The 90's , but if they feel safer indoors organise board games like Twister and Jenga and marble run and Monopoly Millennium and Millenial edition that'll give them something to do plus I crease their brain knowledge the different editions of Monopoly are amazing.

Do you live in an area where it would be unsafe to do this?

it's a safe area. It's just something about it being dark. Always fine with this in the summer. Ok, looks like
I'm being mean. I've said they can go!

Unless you live in a really dodgey area I think you're being overprotective at that age and at this hour.

At that age I used to walk the dog round the block at that time.

But you know your area and your child I suppose.

Five 12 year olds in a safe area would be fine with me.

We used to go for a walk around the grave yard because it was scary and we wanted to see who would freak out first. I grew up in a village so I guess it was pretty safe. Unless you live in a rough area then I don’t see a issue.

I'm fine with my 11 year old being out her friends in the dark.

Of course you’re being unreasonable. DD and her friends loved going on walks at that age, and still do! A good and healthy way to spend quality time together

thanks guys, sometimes
I need a bit of perspective!
I'm usually the laid back, easy going parent who allows more
freedom than most!

My 12yo DD is walks home with a friend, about a 15 minute walk, at 8pmish from an activity. Last few minutes alone, since they pass friends house. I was nervy at first, now more relaxed.

She walked home from school at 9pm after concerts a couple of times (5 mins, but I was picking her sister up from elsewhere, and her grandmother, who was staying, wasn't able to do the walk.

I think she's lucky to be able to this stuff. Its great for her confidence.

It's a tricky age to be a parent, you have to switch into allowing independence after a literall decade of organising them.

Well done OP for checking yourself.

It's good to be cautious because while there's safety in numbers, you can't necessarily vouch for the sensibleness or lack thereof of each girl in a given circumstance. But it's good you allowed them to go in the end. 6-7pm seems reasonable and better for them to get out for some air. I'm not ancient but I don't think I'd allow my kids some of the freedoms I enjoyed.

Not when you’re a child.

I know what you mean about the dark but I think you've now made the right decision. It is hard parenting them as they grow