14 year old DD going to London Pride?

[releasethehounds]

Hi, my DD1 (19) is planning to go to London Pride in a couple of weeks with her uni friends. No problem (wouldn't mind going myself but don't want to cramp her style). However, she has asked me if it's ok to take her younger sister DD2 (14). We live in the midlands so it means a 2 hour train journey and obviously walking around London. Both DDs are very sensible and I know DD2 would really enjoy it, but I haven't told her yet because DH and I are concerned about safety.

Terrorist threat is the main worry; in the past I have always believed that I wouldn't change my lifestyle and live in fear of terrorism but we have recently lost several friends including a close friend's 18 year old son in an accident, and we're feeling a bit more protective than usual!

Should I let them go or is 14 too young?

I get the concerns about a 14 year old attending large scale event in a big, unfamiliar city but surely both DDs are at equal (minuscule) risk of being affected by a terrorist attack?

I think I would perhaps let them go but also go down to London too and do my own thing so if they need you your close by?

Maybe bear in mind that phones may not work with so many people attending so finding each other if separated could be a struggle.

Pride is great fun, very safe and really well policed. I’ve never had any problems with my phone either - it’s spread over quite a wide area which helps in that regard i think.

I’d let her go.

Thanks. Yes I do want to let her go. DH is more concerned than me re safety. DD2 would need to stay with her sister at all times.

It’s a great event. I’d let her go but think about the safety/logistics - DDs to have each others’ phone numbers written down in case phones stolen, place to meet if separated, what to do if one feels unwell...

Meeting place is a v good idea in case phones are stolen or run out of battery.

Saturday I get what you mean about equal risk but DD1 has been away at uni for a year and goes out with and without friends on a regular basis which is obviously out of my control. I feel more responsible for the 14 year old because of her age. Also, she's socially awkward and has ADP (Auditory Processing Disorder) and possibly Asperger's, waiting for a diagnosis. She's very good at hiding it but it makes her a little more vulnerable than most. She's intelligent and very cautious so I don't think she would play up. I don't want her issues to define her life choices.

Thanks, very sensible advice. I shall stipulate that my DDs don't separate (intentionally anyway) as a condition of the trip, but the writing down of phone numbers is a good idea.

Thanks for all the comments/advice. I'll keep checking in throughout the day when I can. x

We accidentally went to Pride, we just happened to be on Regent Street a couple of years ago - the crowds were overwhelming, all good natured but it was frightening moving in a crowd with so very little space - I think everyone was heading to Oxford Street.

Reading this as dd1 is 13 and going to London pride with a big group of friends this year, she went last year with some of the same group.Our situations abit different as she grew up in London and we only moved into the countryside in January with her travelling down alone to see friends every weekend (we’re not too far away and I don’t want to stop her from seeing them) and my only worry is how she’d deal with crowds as she’s quite anxious near them but as long as your dd has a portable charger and writes contact numbers down with change for phone box if necessary I think she’d be fine, she’s not going alone and if you can trust who she’s going with to keep her with them I think she’ll be fine. Pride is well policed and quite enjoyable for everyone. I think it’s about judging how your dd would cope if anything went wrong (although it’s highly unlikely) and making sure she stays safe x

Thanks crazycat for your reassuring post and thanks to everyone for the advice. I think I'll let them go to Pride!

it is a political march.

does your DD14 understand that?

tardylardy - yes thanks DD is aware and is very interested in Pride and LGBT issues; that's why she is so keen to go.

Train tickets are now booked, both DDs and friends are briefed, so fingers crossed...

Thanks all. x

How did it go?

They loved it! It was packed but thankfully no problems and a great time had by all! I must go myself one of the years ...

Thanks all for your support.