Leave 10y CD at movies

[PoodleLion]

Reality check, please.
Two friends left their 10-year-old daughters at a cinema (industrial estate, West London, 4–7pm) while they went home for wine and a catch-up. A random theatre staffer was “keeping an eye on them.” I was horrified. Told them to go back — they did, reluctantly — but now I’m the “overprotective” one.

Honestly, I’m shaken. I don’t feel I can trust them with my own daughter now. I get that kids need independence, but this didn’t feel safe or age-appropriate.

Am I overreacting?

What age can they go out alone and were?
Next year they maybe high school isn't it better to gain that independence gradually?

Depends how responsible they are to stay watching the movie and go straight where they should to be picked up. Hmm. My 10 year old is LOVING having some independence and I was just talking about leaving them at the cinema with a friend as we don’t want to watch their rubbish movies! We decided they would go in by themselves as they’d be respectful to others, but parents wouldn’t leave the premises. Certainly wouldn’t leave to go and drink. Also, we live in a safe area, i don’t know the area you’re referring to.

As the poster above, I’d leave them but remain on the premises.

Yes you are overreacting. "Shaken" is a stretch. A lot of ten year olds have phones as well- do these girls?

Yeah I’d let them go in themselves but I’d be there or thereabouts.

Having said that, I used to let one of mine go with their older sibling when a bit younger than that and one of my so-called friends was horrified.

This- I'd let them go in to the movie by themselves but I'd be sitting outside with a coffee. Or at the most somewhere I can watch the front door with a coffee.

I think it's fine if they have been well prepared for what to do if xyz happens. Especially if they have a mobile.

I definitely wouldn't head home or drink alcohol incase I needed to respond quickly.

I also think it depends on the child, some 10 yo are much more street wise and assertive than others. Equally some are going to be more reliable in terms of staying put in the movie than others.

They are responsible children for sure and wouldn't worry about them doing something they shouldn't. I would be more worried about actions of others. It's not the best area and there have been several updates via the school of secondary school children mugging and intimidating primary schoolers. North Acton is the area.

How are you planning to ease them into secondary school levels of independence?

I would be starting to think about that this incoming school year.

They don't have phones which is another reason why I think it was crazy. No way for the kids to speak to someone they know/trust if they need to.

Had the mother's been on premises then I wouldn't have had any issues.

They will be travelling to school on public transport alone next year.

I personality would have stayed in the cinema cafe. I wouldn't have drunk in case I needed to drive in an emergency.

Your friends actually went back because you told them to? What kind of pathetic women are they, that they just let you boss them around about their own children?!

I think this is fine. There were two of them, it's a time limited activity and staff around if there were any problems.

What do you think is going to happen?

They're only going into year 6 in September so no public transport just yet. If this was their year 6 summer then I'd not have an issue with it.

Yes, I think you are. Given the time of day particularly. Would I have done it, likely not, but my DS isn’t totally reliable. I’d have stayed close though.
Would I have ordered them back? No.