My father wouldn't let my dd sleep in a tent in the garden at the weekend because of missing Madeleine...

[PetronellaPinkPants]

Honestly
This has all gone OTT

When we were kids my db and I would sleep in a tent on our own sometimes from a pretty young age. We had a pump up airgun pretty much as soon as we were big enough to pump it up between us!

So, at the weekend had some friends to stay at my parents, they have a very grown up 11yo (nearly 12) and an 8yo. DD nearly 5. They were all so excited at camping in the garden on their own, the tent about 10 yards from the back door which was left open all night for them, they had a mobile in case they wanted anyone.

My father decided that due to Madeleine McCann's abduction he would not be able to sleep unless dd came in when we went to bed (so of course she was fine while we were inside til 2am drinking and partying!?!?! Obv no abductors would come in then, they would of course wait until later when there was not an almighty row coming from the house and we were all quiet and could her the screams of the abducted children!!) As the other two really wanted to sleep without a grown up, I had to agree.

As it happened it started raining and dd didn't like the noise so came in of her own volition. I do object to this hysteria from my (normally very sensible) father though! I can't see that anything has changed from when we were kids and we were allowed to sleep out from when I was about 7 (and I was the eldest)

What do you think?

[GiantSquirrelSpotter]

Ah but PPP, if a mad out of control combine harvester went on the rampage, you'd never forgive yourself...

[PetronellaPinkPants]

(there are no grain crops behind his house anyway it is a meadow)

[PetronellaPinkPants]

GSS I think that is a risk I am prepared to take to allow my dd a bit of freedom in this already stifling world

[Kathyis6incheshigh]

My parents used to know a farmer who decided he'd do a spot of harvesting after the pubs shut one night.
He ended up in prison for killing someone with a combine harvester while drunk.

Anyway, bottom line is, I agree with Petronella. But when I was little my grandma vetoed us sleeping in the garden once when she was visiting in case we got abducted - no doubt child abduction hysteria is as old as child abduction itself.

[veruccasalt]

My dd6 began to sleep in a tent last summer at my parents house (with my adult dsis) and 9 times out of 10, they'd repaired back to the house by 2am to get some proper sleep in a bed . It's not my thing but I would camp out in the garden if she wanted me to.

I wouldn't prevent her from doing it again but I'd always insist that an adult sleep in the tent as my parents back garden is reasonably secure (but not absolutely since there is a side-gate). Better safe than sorry .

[nogoes]

When I was young I slept in a tent in our back garden until about 2am then I would get really scared and have to go back in the house. I don't think I would let my children sleep in a tent without an adult present, irrational I know but the case of Sophie Hook a few years ago has always stayed with me.

[Loshad]

We weren't allowed to sleep in a tent in (very safe) back garden as children until about 12/13, and i'm not sure that it's fair on the 12 yo to make them responsible for their 5yo cousin. We live in the middle of nowhere, and I don't allow my boys to sleep out in the tent unaccompanied, even though both DH and I hate camping and fight to get the other to do it. That case of the little girl abducted from her back garden tent a few years ago has stayed with me, rightly or wrongly, and i don't generally suffocate the boys.

[elasticbandstand]

yeah, i remember the abduction from the tent... whatever was the result.
regardless of current concerns, or even probably the previous abovementioned one, would not like it, scaredy cat that i am

[dinny]

Petronella, when we go camping me and dh share pods with one dc each - because I am paranoid about leaving them in a pod alone.

[Finbar]

There was a case a few years back when a girl did get abducted from a tent in her grandparents garden - it was in nOrth wales - what's taht place called ? - big sea front and old fadshioned hotel up on the cliff ?

That's what would put me off,not so much the recent Madeleine case. The image has never left me - mainly because we used to sleep in a tent at my grandparents and thought it was ace.

[dinny]

was she found, Finbar?

[elasticbandstand]

but i can understand it is annoying that your dad stuck his oar in... it is your decision.

[Finbar]

NO I don't thikn she ever was. I know they did get a local man for it. Strange I can't remember the details of what happened - but can clearly se the news pictures of teh garden and the thoguht of being taken from that tent.

[Finbar]

Llandudno - that ws teh place.

[Doodledootoo]

Message withdrawn

[Doodledootoo]

Message withdrawn

[tatt]

unfortunately the world may have got worse. The internet has allowed paedophiles to see that there are quite a few people liek them and that reinforces their own twisted values. Before the net cam along they may never have met anyone who would share their interests. So I suspect there is more of a problem now.

I have often left a child in the car if they don't want to be dragged round the supermarket. On the last visit I didn't do that because I wouldn't want all the "why did they leave them on their own" fuss and there was an unattended male in the next car. I know it's totally irrational but human beings are irrational. Sometimes you need to do what feels right.

[dinny]

totally agree, Tatt - it is terrifying, the internet can probably make weak idiots who would previously have not been able to access this material far more dangerous as they can now see this filth any time they want. I just don't know what the solution is. very very frightening.