To the mall

[user1484655514]

My daughter is 11 next week and as her birthday treat has asked to go to the shopping mall with a friend ( I assume to spend hours in Claire's) I have agreed as I will take them there I will be in the mall the same time and they have 2 hours then meet me, she is going to secondary in September so want her more independent. Would you let your daughter do this ?

How do you rate her friend, and will one of her parents be there to drop her off/pick her up?

Yes, but if you want peace of mind put a tracker on her phone.

I would definitely do this

Ds was 11 in August so young starting year 7 and we just had to go with him walking to school and back going into town after school etc, no tracker

I will be taking both girls in to the mall, my daughter isn't getting a phone until her birthday ( 3 days later) they are both sensible girls. They have both been told they can't leave the mall but I do fear I will be hiding in shops checking on them lol

Yes I have done this with mine and her friends since Xmas this year. She is also going into y7. Rules are; no leaving the mall for any reason - including a tempting 'free stuff' offer invade it is a trick; go to the toilet together even if one of you doesn't want to; stick together at all times. I usually wait in pret so if there is an issue they know where I am. If your DD has a GoHenry card, you can see where she is by the spending.mine is Usually in paper chase or buying overpriced crap in Pink

The first time she and her friends went shopping alone they bought the waiting mums a thank you card and signed it before they had to return which was lovely!

If you are worries about keeping an eye without needing a phone, try a watch on Amazon called Liberty Watchover. My DD has one and it is fab!

Hope your daughter has a great time!

• in case not invade

Make sure they have a copy of your mobile number with them so they can call you (via someone else's phone) if necessary.

I'd also be having a chat with my DD about various worst case scenarios and how to handle them e.g. Fire alarms, unwanted attention, fall out with friend etc.