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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

What age to go to Thorpe Park Unsupervised

27 replies

louisea · 14/07/2012 19:17

What age would you let your almost teens go to Thorpe Park on your own? My soon to be 13 year olds (3 weeks) want to go tomorrow with a friend and no parents.

I'm a bit concerned about there being no supervising adult in the vicinity (we are an hour's drive away) but they are adamant that they will be fine.

I would let them go off around the park on their own with a phone if I was there but feel uneasy about them being there solo.

OP posts:

happyAvocado · 14/07/2012 19:20

\how good they are looking at map/keeping in a group?

I would let my son who will be 13 in Sep, but on few occasions he and my DD went on their own around Thorpe Park for few hours whilst Isat and read my book

Can you talk to other parents how they feel about it?

IloveJudgeJudy · 14/07/2012 20:28

I think the age limit is 12 for going around the park on their own, but I see your dilemma. I wouldn't particularly not want to be in the park. I've let ours on their own/with friends, but we were also in the Park.

I've just asked my DS (13) and he'd be fine with that. I've thought about it, and if there are only two of them and you know the other DC, then that's fine. It's big groups that "encourage" bad behaviour ime.

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 14/07/2012 20:32

I'm pretty sure DD was about that age when she first went unsupervised. She went with a group of friends and the parents who took them went off for the day nearby.

NoComet · 14/07/2012 20:39

School gives new Y7s the run of Drayton manor. They have to stay in pairs and touch base with the staff at lunch time.

I'm sure sensible 13 year olds would be fine.

BikeRunSki · 14/07/2012 20:41

Have you not seen The Inbetweeners?

Original poster

louisea · 14/07/2012 20:49

Nope, never seen The Inbetweeners. My dilemma was that we would not be nearby. We live an hour's drive away. Had I been able to go and stay in the vicinity there would not have been a problem.

Anyway, the problem was solved for this occasion. They are now going to Westfield London on the Underground. For some reason, I feel more comfortable with that than with Thorpe Park.

OP posts:

lastnerve · 15/07/2012 09:30

tbh I bet 13 year olds will be more sensible than 17 year olds , I think you have to make your own judgement based on your dc/friends behavior.

Sarcalogos · 15/07/2012 09:34

splutters, really?

You'd rather tube and massive shopping centre than an enclosed park with staff, and safety checked rides?

I don't get it?am I missing something?

Ohyoubadbadkitten · 15/07/2012 09:41

dd who is 12 wants to do this too. I'm fairly ok with it I think.

bigTillyMint · 15/07/2012 11:24

I'm with you sarc, and I live in London and DD-12 has been up west with her friends unsupervised, and come to no harm!

Much safer in an enclosed park

swooosh · 15/07/2012 11:26

I think I'd of much rather sent them to Thorpe Park then Westfield.

mumblechum1 · 15/07/2012 12:15

DS started going to TP with his friends in the latter part of yr 8 so just before his 13th birthday. Never had any problems except stupidity such as his camera falling out of his pocket when he went upside down on something

Original poster

louisea · 15/07/2012 15:15

The decision was made not only based on the location but on familiarity with the transport system and access.

The boys know how to get about London Underground. We use it a lot. In order to get to Thorpe Park they would need to be driven there (2 hour's drive round trip by 2 parents so 4 hours in total). Or, they would come back on the train from Staines to Waterloo and then Underground. We thought that was more of a challenge as they have never used national trains before and wouldn't know how to get home if there was a problem. They have phones and can call for help but we weren't happy with them making their first train journey in the evening.

So, Westfield it is and hoping for the best. They are out now with 2 friends so 4 boys together in total. Will let you know how it all goes.

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Trills · 15/07/2012 15:31

I think they would have been fine to do either of these day trips.

mumeeee · 15/07/2012 15:52

DD1 lives in London with her DH and she says Westfield gets very hectic at the weekends even she doesn't like spending long there and she's 25. I would have thought Thrpe Park would have been better for an almost 13 year old, There are plenty of staff around.

SoupDragon · 15/07/2012 16:01

DS1 (13) and 3 of his friends wandered round by themselves but XH and DS2 were in the park too - just not with them.

ClaireBunting · 15/07/2012 16:04

I have let my 12 year old go with friends and no parents.

Original poster

louisea · 15/07/2012 16:07

Just had a call from them. They had lunch at Nando's and then spent 1 1/2 hours in the Lego store building towers. Waiting to hear what else they get up to.

OP posts:

ClaireBunting · 15/07/2012 16:10

You could always go with them to Staines to make sure they got on the right train (Windsor & Eton Riverside or Reading from platform 19 (ish), not the Weybridge service). Once in Staines, they cross the tracks and walk onto the shuttle bus which is very clear and obvious.

I wouldn't be comfortable with a 13 year old hanging out in Westfield.

Original poster

louisea · 15/07/2012 16:19

Going to Staines isn't an option. We live in North London and they would either have been driven to the park and returned alone or go both directions by car. The car trip (once again) is an hour each way. Twice in a day as no parent was available to stay there.

OP posts:

ClaireBunting · 15/07/2012 16:22

Isn't there an overground train from North London to Richmond?

I'm sure there are lots of public transport options. There is no such thing as "you can't get there from here".

Original poster

louisea · 15/07/2012 16:34

I'll look in to that for the next time they want to go.

OP posts:

Original poster

louisea · 15/07/2012 19:29

They are back. Very excited because they have a bunch of freebies from the Lego store. The Tube was easy. They said that the mall wasn't too busy.

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exasperatedemma · 20/07/2012 13:07

tip for teens in Thorpe Park - don't let them all put their phones etc in one person's bag then leave it at the side when they go on rides - my DD's friends did this and the bag got stolen and 6 people lost their phones!

My DD has been going there since she was 12, nearly 13 - always with a group and has been fine. There are a lot of staff around and the only thing they really need to worry about is a) make sure the straps are very tight! and b) keep the valuables safe.

Oh, and don't let them go on the drop down ride (can't remember what it's called, but its the one where you get hoisted up a tower and then dropped at speed) - horror story here so don't read on if you don't want to know.... one of the mum's at a different school went on this, got to the top and the safety harness popped up - the ride went with her husband and the person next door clinging onto her legs to stop her falling out. I still feel sick when I think about that happening!

DawnOfTheDread · 20/07/2012 15:35

Having been to Thorpe park myself, the place is littered with staff and workers! They will be fine.

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