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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be VERY concerned about unattended 7 year olds?!

329 replies

Iamthedoctor · 29/04/2008 18:36

I am actually gobsmacked. For once in my life.

I have just been reading another thread and a couple of people have said that they allow their 7 year olds to walk to school on their own WITHOUT making sure that they go in the gates.

HELLO?!!!

DD is 8. There is NO WAY on this earth would I allow her to walk to school on her own!

Worst case scenario:

DD walks to school by herself. I don't see her go in. Some arsehole snatches her. I don't know about it until AFTER school, because the school don't ring me to say she hasn't arrived. Cue police/newspapers/radio/manhunt.

I feel very strongly about this! It's madness!

Fair enough, allow them to walk HOME from school (then you KNOW that they have arrived!), but PLEASE think about what you are doing!

OP posts:
Original poster
Iamthedoctor · 29/04/2008 19:19

FAQ. Now that really HAS made me faint.

Not only is that TOTALLY irresponsable, but also illegal, I am right in thinking.

Colditz. Last post was fairly amusing. However I find no humour in joking about child porn. Do you?

OP posts:
Remotew · 29/04/2008 19:20

Iamthedoctor, I think you are outnumbered on this one and its getting a bit silly.

I can understand where you are coming from but think that if a child is just over the road from school it is no problem. I took DD right up until the age of 11 as I wouldnt have felt comfortable letting her walk on her own, even though I did at 7. If a school doesnt ring home re absences then that would be worrying.

hatrick · 29/04/2008 19:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

kayzisexpecting · 29/04/2008 19:22

It is not illegal!! Bloody hell!

It is if it is for more than 24 hours, but a few minutes is not illegal.

SmugColditz · 29/04/2008 19:22

Yes, I find child porn, especially intergalactic alien child porn, hilarious, and cannot for one moment see why someone would fail dismally to see the funny side of Peedophobia not

FAQ · 29/04/2008 19:22

what is iressponsable going outside for a 5-10 minute "fag break" (from the kids) leaving all 3 inside awake.......or popping out for 2 minutes to get DS1 from school with DS3 safely asleep in his cot and DS2 happy doing something?

Original poster
Iamthedoctor · 29/04/2008 19:22

Abouteve - Yes, I think general cons is that I am nutjuob mother.

I 'did' apologise to FAQ ages ago, not being aware that she was SO close to the school.

I'm still right, though.

OP posts:
muggglewump · 29/04/2008 19:23

I let my 6yr old walk some of the way on her own. In fact the bit she's alone is the actual going in the gates bit so I don't see her.
I trust her to go in, I can't imagine her being snatched on the route it's on and there's no road.
In a year or so I'll no doubt let her go the whole way.
I'm happy with it and so is she

I think Colditz is funny too btw

pointydog · 29/04/2008 19:23

the doctor of mirth and mayhem

kayzisexpecting · 29/04/2008 19:24

FGS if I had £1 for everytime my mum left us to pop to the shop or chippy when I was younger I'd be in the bahamas getting a tan and sipping non alcoholic cocktails.

I'd also take FAQ and her DS's on holiday!!!

Original poster
Iamthedoctor · 29/04/2008 19:24

KAY, it IS illegal. Get your facts straight.

FAQ - what if there was a fire?

Colditz, mind if I ignore you?

OP posts:
ranting · 29/04/2008 19:24

You do realise, don't you that the number of child abductions hasn't risen for 35 years. Would you rather your children lived a life ruled by fear?

pointydog · 29/04/2008 19:25

It is not illegal. Wise up, doctor

FAQ · 29/04/2008 19:25

that's ok kay - we're going to Great Yarmouth for a week with Shelleylou and her DS in the summer [grink]

SquonkTheBeerGuru · 29/04/2008 19:26

could you point us in the direction of where it says it is illegal, please IATD - we've had this debate before and I suspect you will not be able to find a law that proves your point.

kayzisexpecting · 29/04/2008 19:26

My uncle is a police officer and he told my mum when she asked him if she was ok leaving us for 5 minutes that as long as it was not longer than 24 hours its ok!!

misdee · 29/04/2008 19:26

actually Iamadoctor there no 'legal age at which to leave a child unattended. but if something did go wrong, then there is a possiblity of being charged with neglect i think.

FAQ · 29/04/2008 19:26

I know I do worry if I'm outside in the garden having a long fag break that there's going to be a fire and I'd not notice

Original poster
Iamthedoctor · 29/04/2008 19:26

RANTING. I GET THE POINT.

ABDUCTION ISN'T THE ONLY DANGER TO CHILDREN!

Pointy Dog. It IS illegal.

OP posts:
Remotew · 29/04/2008 19:26

Kay, what age were you when your mum popped to the shops?

kayzisexpecting · 29/04/2008 19:27

Cool!!!

I used to live near Great Yarmouth and I loved it there!

Not Illegal. Get your facts straight before you start making stuff up.

SquonkTheBeerGuru · 29/04/2008 19:27

IATD:

SHOW US WHERE IT SAYS IT IS ILLEGAL

please

pointydog · 29/04/2008 19:27

doctor, it is not illegal. Loads of other people have said so too.

We are right. You are wrong.

kayzisexpecting · 29/04/2008 19:28

From about 5 my younger brother being 3. It was from when we moved and the shop was round the corner.

pointydog · 29/04/2008 19:28

Come on, doctor. Give us a smile