To be a bit wary?

[SerendipitousHarlot]

GAH! That old freedom question....

Dd has been asked by her friend if she can go and camp in a field in half term

The friends grandma apparently has a couple of fields at the back of her house, that she owns. And friends mum has asked if J can go and the girls camp out overnight in a tent. On their own. Outside.

Now I haven't spoken to the mum yet - but she's very like me, and I trust her judgement.

Now I'm a mum that likes to offer freedom... I think a bit of independence and adventure does kids the power of good, and creates great memories.

But even I'm balking at this.... what would you do?

They're both 11.5 btw - and both pretty mature.

At about this age I camped in a friend's garden and their next door neighbour's cat got itself wedged between the two layers of the tent and started attacking the inside layer trying to get out. - We woke up with horrible noises the tent wobbling all over the place and claws being pushed through the lining at us. Was utterly terrifying.

Once we got over the paralytic fear and realised it was a cat it was incredibly exhilarating. We got the cat out without needing any help and got on with the night on an incredible high.

Even when things do go wrong a sensible 11 year old is perfectly capable of dealing with it themselves and the self-confidence they get from having done something like that without needing to rely on an adult is really great to see. Assuming she is keen on going, let her go, she'll have a fantastic time.

BTW I thought the entire concept of camping in a garden totally bizarre when I was invited, I'd've loved it to have been in a real field, the sense of adventure would have been awesome even if Grandma was only a garden away!

laweaselmys that really is very funny!

That is funny Laweaselmys.

Well, I'd let them do it, there will be a gang of them I presume and they'll probably have great fun.

I'd definitely check out the field and the granny first though and arm your dd with a mobile phone incase she gets a bit windy.

I'd have loved to do this at 11 with a group of friends.

Oh, I didn't actually your question...

erm..

YANBU

Well now I think it's hilarious. We may have tried to kill the cat be whacking it with a torch from inside the tent...

Oh this is an interesting test of my "let them have a bit of independence fgs" stance.

Camping, in a field, or a garden, at that age ... I would say "no".

But that is because of a tragic news story that I remember from many years ago. For some reason that one just stuck with me.

My Dad refused to let me go camping with two girl friends when I was 16. At the time I was furious with him, but now I can understand why .