Sleepovers in garden cabin

[soph78]

We have a lovely cabin at the bottom of our garden. Our daughter (12) would love to use it for a sleepover and this was always what we had in mind however my only concern is security. We do have a locked gate to the garden but I feel strange about leaving the cabin unlocked but I also have concerns about them locking themselves in (what if they lose the key or leave the key in the lock so we can't get in if needed). I also guess we should keep the house unlocked which is another concern. I am probably over thinking this but would love to hear other's views.

There’s another thread about sleepovers and you do generally get opposing views to this on MN.

The first view is that it is fine, they will be fine, and have a great time.

The second view tends to recount a high profile case where a girl was abducted and killed after camping in the garden. Of course, to counteract that, it is the only known case of that happening in how many years of children camping in the garden.

As with most things, it really does boil down to your risk assessment and no one should tell you that’s right or wrong.

How many would stay in the cabin? I'd feel better about it if there were a few of them as long as they are all sensible. They could lock the door and put the key on a hook near the door so they don't misplace it.

I'm a paranoid Polly who lives by the 'prevention is better than a cure' philosophy in life so, for me personally, it would be a no. But, I imagine lots of more level-headed parents would say yes!

I think they'd be fine, but I'd check with the other parents.

I'd let them, I'd trust them to lock themselves in and I'd give them a telephone so they can call you if they need to get in the house.

We have the same and have had sleepovers in it since we got it when DCs were 13.

They lock from inside so we can access from outside with a key if needed and we lock our back door but give them a key so they can get in. Also can talk on text etc.

It's not 100% risk free but nothing is really.

As a pp mentioned it’s always the same tragic case that is brought up - and that was more than 25 years ago now. Lots of children have slept out in their gardens before and after that date. Alesha MacPhail was abducted from her bedroom much more recently but you still probably allow your dd to sleep in her own room. They will have a fabulous time.

Our dc have been allowed to camp out in the garden from about 7 with an older sibling or 10 with friends or alone. When children are camping out we leave the back door latched, but not locked. We live in a small town with far lower crime rate than the nearby large towns and cities.

Your concerns re the keys are easily resolved: get another set cut. And if they're locked in and need you urgently, it's just a summerhouse - you'll be able to kick the door in.

Camping in the garden is a lovely step towards independence. The children feel so intrepid!

At that age, if there are a few of them I would be OK with this. Do you have a dog that would bark?

At 12, I’d say it would be fine. Sounds great fun. I’d make sure they had multiple phones (not a problem, I expect!) and that they were able to easily lock and unlock the door (get your daughter to practice and show you several times), and tell them to lock it when they go to sleep. And yes, I’d probably leave the back door unlocked.

There’s always the possibility something could happen but you would have to be incredibly unlucky for a predator or a burglar to be prowling on that particular night.