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Original poster

Child left alone

105 replies

Than85 · 04/10/2025 05:15

Iv never been kings cross but recently found out via my child she was left alone in the lounge. Iv no idea for how long or for what we reason, mother refuses to answer my concerns. It clearly a busy station and no matter how long I'm just shocked. The snippets iv heard is she was getting tickets but surely carnt gain access to lounge without. Left to fill gaps and justify but I really am struggling to make any sense or reasoning.😢
I can only keep assuming the worst and the upset and fear my child went through. It's eating me alive with worry, this is one occasion I know of,how many other occasions I don't.
I carnt ask my child as dnt want to add unnecessary pressure and when I go anywhere near the subject she clams up and cries.
I need to get past it but struggling too without answers. The silent treatment from mum only makes me think it's worse than the little I know.
I found out via a phone I got her as there was concern parenting issues prior and have been since and read "where are you mummy?"
Any advice please 😥

OP posts:
DramaQueenlady · 04/10/2025 05:53

Kings Cross is huge. No child should be left alone. How old is your child. Does your mother need to have her on her own.

AnSolas · 04/10/2025 06:05

What age is your child

What is alone?

Eg
5 year old told to sit/ stand with in eye sight is not ok

10 year old who can be trusted to stay put is likely ok

What was your Mum like when you were growing up?
Were you put at risk or neglected?

Why do you not have DDs trust that anything she will say about GM is Ok or is there a lot of "something" going on that you are not aware of?

How much time does she and GM spend together?

Original poster
Than85 · 04/10/2025 06:37

My daughter is 9 and it's my daughters mother that has done this.
We separated 5 years ago and back then she left her with new chap after knowing him 2 week. I found this out and again she went silent and kept her from me rather than address worries. I got a court order on the end and was very traumatic time for all especially my daughter.
Iv gone down the mediation route but found out today she will not be engaging.
It scares me to think how long and the distress she was in. Policy in station is not child unsupervised and I just wouldn't dream of at all.
Been made to feel I'm in wrong for wanting clarity.
And no not in site,left alone.timescales I can only work out from her phone but in reality I dnt and may not know the true extent and duration and what was more important than my princess.

OP posts:

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DonewhatIcando · 04/10/2025 07:20

Im not sure what you can do about it, hopefully more knowledgeable MNetters will be along soon to give advice.
I will say if it was my dd I'd be horrified.
Kings X is pretty dodgy ime.
I've had a couple of near incidents there where I've been uncomfortable, verging on frightened & Im not someone easily frightened.
Your dd must have been scared.
Its really not a place to leave a child unattended.

oviraptor21 · 04/10/2025 07:25

Do you have a child arrangement order in place?
You could go back to court and ask for this to be looked at again if you have repeated and ongoing concerns about the mothers capability to be parenting.

What is the 'lounge' at King's Cross? Admittedly it's a big station so maybe I haven't noticed it. Was dd in one of the sets of seats, perhaps not being able to see the ticket office from where she was but the mother could see her while she was waiting?

Original poster
Than85 · 04/10/2025 07:28

The ignoring and silent treatment doesn't reassure me that her mum knew what she did was wrong.
I said before she went to keep hold of her hand and dnt let her out of sight but really didn't expect this. I'm petrified thinking something else going to happen. I like to think I'm not in wrong for wanting reassurance of her safety and welfare.
I can only assume it worse than the little I know and that might be me overthinking but I won't apologise for caring for my little girl.

OP posts:
Bombshelter · 04/10/2025 07:30

I wouldn’t expect a 9 year old to hold their mothers hand at all times to be fair.

is there more context?

Luxio · 04/10/2025 07:33

Honestly at 9 I really don't understand the problem with being told to wait sensibly somewhere whilst her mum sorted out the tickets. I thought you were going to say she was a toddler.

Surely you don't expect her to genuinely hold a parents hand at all times?

YorkshireLawyer · 04/10/2025 07:33

There are various Waiting Lounges in KX. You have to have a ticket for the First Class one, but I don’t think you do for the others, one of which is specifically for families with children. That one is close to the ticket machines although probably not within line of sight. Personally, I would be comfortable leaving my 9 year old in there if I was queuing for a few minutes for tickets (unless it was, say, really late at night) but I use KX regularly so am familiar with it and know my child would be ok with it. That doesn’t mean of course that the OP is being unreasonable not being happy about this, especially as he doesn’t know the details and it seems his DD was upset by it.

Original poster
Than85 · 04/10/2025 07:33

Iv a c100 form so can go back court but rather save the upset but it's highly likely that be the route.
My daughter said she thought she went toilet whereas the mums friend who messaged abuse and admitted she was left alone said she went ticket office.
The tickets where purchased in advance. Iv read you need a ticket to access the lounge. It's seems lots of lies and covering up by not saying anything. We all make mistakes and if was a mistake why not say so.
Why not engage in mediation to prevent court. There's more to it I'm sure but likely never know.

OP posts:
Bombshelter · 04/10/2025 07:36

Than85 · 04/10/2025 07:33

Iv a c100 form so can go back court but rather save the upset but it's highly likely that be the route.
My daughter said she thought she went toilet whereas the mums friend who messaged abuse and admitted she was left alone said she went ticket office.
The tickets where purchased in advance. Iv read you need a ticket to access the lounge. It's seems lots of lies and covering up by not saying anything. We all make mistakes and if was a mistake why not say so.
Why not engage in mediation to prevent court. There's more to it I'm sure but likely never know.

Why do you expect to know so much about what the mother is doing?

Are there safeguarding concerns about her parenting?

Original poster
Than85 · 04/10/2025 07:36

Yes they travelled first class. Do they check for ticket on entry to the lounge? If so then the explanation of going ticket machine doesn't make sense. I'm just assuming and having to guess. It's driving me mad with what could have happened and how my daughter was feeling to message "where are you mummy"

OP posts:
Original poster
Than85 · 04/10/2025 07:38

I want to know what mother was doing that was more important than my child's safety and how frequent my child is put at risk I'm not aware of.

OP posts:
Original poster
Than85 · 04/10/2025 07:39

Luxio · 04/10/2025 07:33

Honestly at 9 I really don't understand the problem with being told to wait sensibly somewhere whilst her mum sorted out the tickets. I thought you were going to say she was a toddler.

Surely you don't expect her to genuinely hold a parents hand at all times?

Yes I do in a busy London station.

OP posts:
YorkshireLawyer · 04/10/2025 07:39

Yes, they do check your ticket to access the First Class lounge, because you’re only allowed in it within a certain time of your train booking. That one is upstairs. Again, I would probably feel comfortable leaving my child in there for a short time if I needed eg to go and buy something from one of the shops.

Bombshelter · 04/10/2025 07:42

Than85 · 04/10/2025 07:38

I want to know what mother was doing that was more important than my child's safety and how frequent my child is put at risk I'm not aware of.

If there’s no actual safeguarding risk, you’re being controlling.

Original poster
Than85 · 04/10/2025 07:42

Bombshelter · 04/10/2025 07:30

I wouldn’t expect a 9 year old to hold their mothers hand at all times to be fair.

is there more context?

This is it I wouldn't know and fact iv not an explanation suggests there more to it. The fact ticket needed for first class lounge entry yet explanation from a friend of hers who has giving me abuse due to my concerns said she went for tickets. Doesn't add up. My daughter safety and upset I'm concerned about. She a very shy girl and gets anxious.

OP posts:
Original poster
Than85 · 04/10/2025 07:43

Bombshelter · 04/10/2025 07:42

If there’s no actual safeguarding risk, you’re being controlling.

Show quote history

No I'm not at all, lner policy must be wrong also then.
Thankyou for your input

OP posts:
Original poster
Than85 · 04/10/2025 07:44

YorkshireLawyer · 04/10/2025 07:39

Yes, they do check your ticket to access the First Class lounge, because you’re only allowed in it within a certain time of your train booking. That one is upstairs. Again, I would probably feel comfortable leaving my child in there for a short time if I needed eg to go and buy something from one of the shops.

Thankyou,iv never been there so I honestly dnt know Im just aware it very busy and my daughter was worried and upset.

OP posts:
Bombshelter · 04/10/2025 07:45

You are being controlling. The child is 9. Unless you have actual safeguarding concerns it’s none of your business what the mother does.

Her actions don’t seem inappropriate for the child’s age to me.

Luxio · 04/10/2025 07:45

I agree with Bombshelter. you don't need to know every detail when your daughter is with her mum. She was upset but that doesn't mean she was at risk or being neglected. It does sound like you're doing a heck of a lot of checking up on her which seems like very controlling behaviour.

parietal · 04/10/2025 07:46

First class lounge at King’s Cross is a pretty safe place for a 9 year old to wait for a few minutes. Stop fussing about this one incident.

HappyHedgehog247 · 04/10/2025 07:48

The mother does not have to answer your questions. Your daughter was in her care and the court were happy to approve this. If you have genuine safeguarding concerns you can raise them to social care or go back to court. You sound controlling to me.

CherieBabySpliffUp · 04/10/2025 07:49

Is this a reverse? Your posts don't read very "male" and are quite immature with tone and misspelling etc

MumoftwoNC · 04/10/2025 07:49

If your daughter is old enough to have her own phone then surely she's old enough to sit safely on her own for a few minutes.

Kings Cross isn't rough - it's full of people. It's way safer than leaving her alone on a deserted rural platform.

What's going to happen? Surely she's old enough not to wander off with a stranger? And if someone tried to take her away forcibly there'd be hundreds of witnesses to stop that.

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