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Teenagers

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

Original poster

Worried sick

34 replies

fizzypop100 · 08/03/2022 18:49

Our DS (15) had some food , listened to music all happy etc. Then he came downstairs in his hoodie and he just walked out. Not a word, nothing. It's pitch dark now and can see his on Google maps walking alone though the park! Told him so many times it's not safe. Why ???

OP posts:
Floydthebarber · 08/03/2022 18:53

6:50 isn't an unreasonable time to be out at 15 though. Asking him where he was going, if he was meeting anyone etc when he gets back wouldn't be unreasonable but he's out in the early evening.

Original poster
fizzypop100 · 08/03/2022 18:54

He's gone alone. This is something he used to do. It's not safe to be in the park alone at night

OP posts:
JudgeRindersMinder · 08/03/2022 18:55

@fizzypop100

He's gone alone. This is something he used to do. It's not safe to be in the park alone at night
Something he used to do…is there a background, on the information you’ve given I wouldn’t be overly concerned but I feel there may be more to it
Lovemusic33 · 08/03/2022 18:57

Sounds pretty normal for a teen, I guess it depends on where you live but at 15 I was allowed out until 9pm (later at weekends) but I grew up in a large village. I’m sure he will shops up soon.

CantStandMeCow · 08/03/2022 18:57

What’s the backstory? Sudden switch in mood like that can mean nothing but can also be really sinister if you know the signs of a drug user. Is that why you’re worried?

Original poster
fizzypop100 · 08/03/2022 19:30

Why do people always say drugs? Definitely not. He's moody and lockdown didn't help. I understand he wants some air/ a walk but is showing poor personal safely

OP posts:
Wbeezer · 08/03/2022 19:36

Two of mine used to do this at @this age. I had to stop DS3 walking along the old railway line in the evening in case he intimidated any female joggers or dog walkers as we had an issue in our area with a, man deliberately frightening women out walking (thankfully now apprehended). Sadly i was more worried about peopke thinking he was up to no good than his own safety but I live in a very low crime area.

Lovemusic33 · 08/03/2022 19:41

@fizzypop100

Why do people always say drugs? Definitely not. He's moody and lockdown didn't help. I understand he wants some air/ a walk but is showing poor personal safely
People are assuming because you haven’t told us much. Why do you feel it’s not safe for him to be out? Do you live in a dangerous area?
StarsAndSugarlumps · 08/03/2022 19:44

I wouldn’t have any issue with my 15 year old being out for a walk in the park at 7pm. Is there a reason it’s particularly dangerous? I realise it probably depends on where you live.

Thehonestybox · 08/03/2022 20:08

Do you live somewhere really dodgy?

Original poster
fizzypop100 · 08/03/2022 20:20

It's not safe to be alone in a park at night. If this was someone's daughter would the reaction be different?

OP posts:
Susu49 · 08/03/2022 20:23

Well, there's seen to be greater risk for girls than boys, sadly.

I'm more surprised he just walked out without telling you or asking for permission!

Have you tried calling him?

TheBeesKnee · 08/03/2022 20:26

OP do you suffer from anxiety?

Teenagers get moody. I walk to clear my head almost every day. I'm not moody though.

QforCucumber · 08/03/2022 20:31

What is not safe about being in a park at 6:30pm? I went for a run tonight. Alone, at a similar time?

Did he not tell you where he was going because you’d have stopped him?

PeakyBlender · 08/03/2022 20:34

I hope he's home soon if it's genuinely not safe

StarsAndSugarlumps · 08/03/2022 20:40

I hope he’s back by now if you were worried about him, but I’m sorry I still don’t see what the concern is unless you live somewhere which has a history of crime in the park in the evening.

mrsm43s · 08/03/2022 20:43

It really isn't normally unsafe for a 15 year old (male or female) to take a walk in the park at 7pm. It's a pretty usual time for people walking back from work, going for a job, dog walking etc. Do you live in a particularly dodgy area?

Icemast · 08/03/2022 20:43

@fizzypop100

It's not safe to be alone in a park at night. If this was someone's daughter would the reaction be different?
I'm sure the reaction would be different for obvious reasons, but also a 15 year old in a park before 7pm not sure it would be ringing alarm bells.
MrsJBaptiste · 08/03/2022 22:06

My 16 year old has just come in from a walk, rather him than me!

This is what teenagers do, I'm not sure why you're so stressed unless you're worried about his mental health, etc?

drawingpad · 08/03/2022 22:18

@fizzypop100

It's not safe to be alone in a park at night. If this was someone's daughter would the reaction be different?

It wasn't even 7pm when you posted, so not exactly night!

I would be concerned if one of mine left in the manner that your DS left, because we are big communicators, leaving without talking would be odd and raise a learn bells. Being in the park at that time of day would t even raise an eyebrow. I wonder how your Google maps told you he was alone though? Surely you can't be tracking everyone he knows - maybe he was meeting people.

Nelliephant1 · 08/03/2022 22:23

I hope he's home safe and sound now. I would have been having a panic too if it has been any of mine 💐

Jonny1265 · 08/03/2022 22:23

Where are you to have a park that is unsafe at 7pm?

1happyhippie · 08/03/2022 22:29

How do you know he’s on his own?
I might have gone to meet a friend.
I wouldn’t be worried if my 15 yr old dd went for a walk at the time.
Hope he’s back for you now though

LondonQueen · 08/03/2022 22:35

It's perfectly safe to be in a park at 7pm, make or female, it would be different if your DS was 11 or it was much later (like now!)
I hope he is home safe and well

Hellocatshome · 08/03/2022 22:36

My 14 year old has just this second got back from watching our local team play football. He was there with friends but walked home alone, fair enough its on streets with streetlights etc but I honestly think unless there is something you are not telling us this amount of worry about a 15 year old being out in the early evening is unnecessary. Why not just call him.