Would you let your child do this or am I over the top?

[KrustyBurger]

Currently on holiday in the USA. We are staying at a Marriott so not a motel type set up.

Husband asked our daughter who is 12 to run some rubbish down to the bin next to the lift, she would have to go past about 12 room doors (6 each side).

I said no, il do it as you never know who’s in the rooms and it only takes 5 seconds for someone to open the door and yank her in and you wouldn’t even know which room it is or where she is.

Husband said ok but gave me a strange glance.

Was I being over the top? Or would other parents do the same. It’s nearly 10pm at night here.

Husband's a bit of a clean freak and our bin is full hence not just leaving it.

but its the marriott!
its a nice hotel.

Yes, my question. My DH would just have done it if he was the one who wants it gone!

another one wondering why DH doesn’t do it and also thinking you’re OTT and need to branch out on your. Viewing habits

I agree with you op and would do the same. I'm not overprotective and my Dd has a lot of independence at 11.
I wouldn't expect her to go around by herself at all in a foreign country. That includes hotel corridors.

Sounds like one of those sketches from the Catherine Tate show, where the middle-class mummy and her 2 kids end up in situations where they may have to do 'common' things or meet other people, and are petrified and hysterical...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g-BVgPeZR-Y

Never seen the show…

You need to back away from the tv dramas.

”I’m in a foreign country” - do you mean to be xenophobic? Or is it just the United States you think is riddled with criminals?

Could DD leave a hotel room in France? Ireland? How about the Isle Of Man?

I’m happy with my viewing habits.

DH was dealing with our youngest.

It’s true life crime, not dramas.

I think most countries have a fair amount of criminals.

I would have zero issue with my 11 yo doing this. I think you are being way ott.

I think you're being way, way too OTT.

You would though, because they will have cctv in the corridors.

If someone was determined they could have her in the room and you outside if they wanted to.

This is bonkers, and I'm amazed that there are people agreeing with you.

Why do you think she's more likely to get pulled into a hotel room in a foreign country then she is at home? Why on earth do you think someone might be standing lurking by their hotel room door waiting for someone to walk by and drag them in? And magically knowing whether it's male or female, young or old? How many people would actually want to do that anyway?

In my experience, hotel corridors are freakily empty, so goodness knows how long they'd have to wait with their ear to the door, ready to pounce.

I simply can't get my head around such paranoia. People's risk assessment abilities are clearly shockingly illogical.

I live in the USA.
I watch all of the crime shows, and in all my livelong days, I have never heard of any child getting snatched from a hotel corridor.
Ever.
Besides - it’d be on the front page of every major newspaper and on every major news outlet in the nation.
It’d be a gigantic story, like Kristin Smart or even Gabby Petito. We’d know her name.
Plus - it’s a very poor idea to snatch a child from a hallway in a classy hotel if you can’t make a clean getaway. Where would this perv go if he’s trapped in his room? The police know right where he is - there’s no escaping if he only has the stairs and the elevator. The windows don’t open (insurance, dontcha know).
I think you might be worrying unnecessarily, but you’re a good mum to be so vigilant.

OTT

More chance of your plane crashing

@BarcardiWithGadaffia the difference being my dc have to learn to cross roads and I would teach them to be aa safe as possible at age appropriate times.

Her dd didn't have to walk down that corridor on that day and isn't gaining anything from doing so.

The true crime genre has a lot to answer for. 😅

Seriously, I can’t think of many safer places than a hotel corridor. Even in a (gasp) foreign country.

Definitely OTT. My DD is at greater risk when walking to school, which I would allow her to do.

Can you get some help with your anxiety, OP? The teenage years are going to be tough otherwise.

On holiday in the US recently, my 12yo often went to the lobby (using the lift) to get himself a drink. He also went all the way along the corridor to fill an ice bucket. It didn't cross my mind to worry about it. At home, he rides his bike a lot. That's something my brain often lands on to worry about.

You put the stuff in the bin?
DH wanted the bin emptied and it’s either you or DD who does it?

But it's a foreign country don't you know......

This is very OTT and I think the fact you are away from home has heightened your perceived risk. Even if someone was lurking and tried to grab her, you would presumably hear the screaming and follow that, not just be in a situation where she has disappeared into thin air.

It's fine that you were OTT here. Like you say, she has hardly missed out. However our emotions often cloud our thoughts and rationally this was far less risky than going to the corner shop at home, given the short distance/time plus you being nearby.

OTT. I’ve heard more stories of kids being snatched from parks or the walk to school than hotels. It was an irrational decision.

Wouldn't think anything if doing it. My DD that age regularly went down to hotel lobby in NYC to use the communal computer ( before tablets were had by all and sundry)