Curfew for DS

[justcallmethefixer]

My DS(14) has gone out for the first time of an evening with his mates, they were meeting in a park across town, about 40min walk away at 7:30. What time would you set as a curfew?

10.00 I think.

We run a "leave by" time, as my DS can then set an alarm for when he needs to leave to get home depending on where he is. So 40 mins away we would say either leave by 9.30 and expect him before 10.15, or leave by 9.15 to get back for ten. We compromised on this policy after a few times he was 5/10 mins late because he forgot the time. He is usually now about 5/10 mins earlier than we expect him, as he knows once the alarm goes he has to get home ASAP, and he finds it less stressful than a "be home by".

I think I must be a very mean parent as I don't like the idea of hanging out at the park after dark at all. Maybe it's because I know what goes on at the park near our house

Curfew here is 9 on a school night and 10 during weekends/holidays (if at someone's house or an event).

Seems like I'm quite laid back then. Curfew was midnight and he was home by 11pm.

Can I ask what a 14 year old was doing in a park til 11? I am so laid back I have been accused of neglect on here before- but I wouldn't let my 14 year old do that. Well, he's 13, actually, but nearly 14.

Ds1 was 15 this week, and there's no way he's going to be hanging around the park till 11 at night... What were they doing? Personally I think that's asking for trouble. Mine can come home when it's dark, or go to a friends house and let me know where they are.

I go till about 9.30 - 10 for that age on a weekend. Hanging around in a park, in a group at that time of night does not bode well.

From what u gather the evening was spent going on trips to Asda and another friends house.

Honestly 12pm would be make me uncomfortable...actually looking back to my 14 year old self I'd be uncomfortable myself! Doing a 40 minute walk home in the dark so late isn't great. Nor is being in the park at that time.

My son is Y12 and I would not be comfortable with him hanging around in a park at night.
At 14 and and with school next day I would say 9.30 latest

I must be exceptionally strict/stressed then as I wouldn't let my 14 year old go out after school when nights get dark so soon unless it was for a specific club activity. Only in summer can he sometimes go to the park down the road to play football but should be back by 8 maximum on a weekend and 7 on a school night!

Never did curfews just give me an eta, let me know if it changes and keep your phone switched on. Seemed to work fine. Teenagers plans change.