please advise - have been told off for letting DS1 busk.

[lingle]

DS1 is nearly 9 and a 1/2. He is obsessed with playing the guitar and luckily is very good indeed at it. He wants a particular pedal for his electric guitar - I've told him we aren't prepared to simply keep buying things for him just because he wants them (he learns three instruments and his electric guitar lessons in particular are very expensive).

Ever since enterprise week at school DS1 has been wanting to go busking. Yesterday was the first sunny Saturday of the year and we walked down into town and I let him try while I sat in a nearby cafe. He made lots of money - but what was special was the smiles on people's faces, the things they said to him, and the comments I heard them making to each other afterwards. He said the hour went really quickly.

Today we went to the park with other younger children and he asked to do it again so I let him. He was in my eyeline 90% of the time - I was on the grass. I tried not to keep coming up to him though - I thought a busker with his mum sat next to him would be bizarre. I did have to put suncream on at one point.

When I finally persuaded him to finish, a lady approaching me and said "Excuse me, BigCity Social Services, do you think it is responsible to leave your child out begging?" I said that I had not left him, but had been watching him, and he had not been begging, he had been busking. Then she said "so long as you know that social services are watching you". I said "this is nonsense, he wanted to play his guitar, he's done it, and he's brought a lot of pleasure to a lot of people". I then asked her if she wanted my name and address and she said no.

So now I'm a bit shaken. Presumably this lady assumed DS1 was on his own? I can't imagine she was a social worker - I suspect they don't say things like "social services are watching you" - perhaps she works in admin or something.

I'm a bit torn now because DS1 has had an amazing life experience, something far more positive than being put forward for a talent show, etc, IMO, and something that has taught him lots of lessons about work and musicianship But a stranger has thought he was being neglected/abused and I've been frightened and threatened.

Any social workers around to comment?

We live in a small town and he ha

Her comments were absurd. I don't see why SS would care. However are you sure you don't need a licence for that?

thanks pippop1 - I think that's a good point.

I discussed it with DH and he feels that appearance is important. If DS does it again we will make sure he is smartly turned out.

Re the licence: the rules are that you don't need a licence to busk with an acoustic instrument but you must move on if asked to or if anyone objects - a refreshingly common sense approach.

Jeez what a bucketload of rubbish. I think it's wonderful that he's busking. He's learning about so many things and you're being totally responsible by being there where you can watch him (but keeping a respectful distance so he can gain his own independence). When I was 9 I used to go busking with a friend of mine without parents around (not that I'd let my own DS do that.. I don't think - but just to illustrate that we were fine).

Scary that there are so many officious people around prepared to lie to make a point, and that the laws are so muddled few know the truth without researching it.
It sounds like your DS had fun and gave pleasure to a lot of people, I love hearing a good busker.

Just a thought...... Justin Bieber was discovered by busking and his mum posting it on You Tube.

Tell you DS to keep at it and he may be able to buy a big house for his mum in the future

LOL! Was he 9?

We're off on holiday in the UK and he wants me to research the licence requirements for each town we stay in!

I used to busk when I was a teenager (13yo - 16yo). Until I was 16 my DM used to sit in a cafe where she could see me. I loved it, passers by seemed to like it, and I got a lot of dosh!!! Didn't have a license but it was a long time ago, I guess you'd probably need one these days. The whole SS thing is ridiculous IMO.

If you are approached again by someone purporting to be from SS, ask for his/her ID.

The issues to be aware of are a) any local by-laws restricting busking, and making sure your DS does not cause an obstruction, and

b) the tax implications i.e. how much he can earn before tax (a tax inspector might just happen to go past and see and decide to meddle do his/her duty). Other than that, good luck to your DS - hope he has a very bright, musical future.

Cannot understand what possible objection there could be to him performing and earning some money. He is not begging, he is providing entertainment for which people can choose to donate or not. He is also clearly under your supervision.

Ignore. Sounds like a nutter to me. If you are with your child, you are not leaving him alone, and he is not begging anyway. Busking is great. I've done it myself as one of an a capella group and it's a lot of fun. I certainly appreciate it when I see others doing it well (not badly, obviously!). Buskers make a walk through a town centre a lot more enjoyable, especially for young children, that's for sure!