Do you let a nearly 14 year old get bus home alone at 8.30 in the evening?

[AMAZINWOMAN]

I have no car and can't pick my son up.

His football finishes at 8.15 in the evening and is a bit too far to walk.(40 minutes walk)

Although I wlak himn there, it's in the middle of a residential area so I can't really hang around on the streets for an hour
until he finishes.

Can he get the bus home alone?

Has he got a mobile phone with him?

Does he feel confident in getting the bus in the dark?

Can you meet him at this end of the bus stop?

I would say yes, let him get the bus.

Are the buses regular and reliable? Is there are safeish place to stand around while waiting for the bus (or will some of his friends wait with him?) Is your 13-year-old sensible and reliable?

If yes to all the above then I would say yes.

Yes, he is sensible and reliable. I feel feel confident walking around the area alone at night...

He doesn't feel worried about getting the bus alone and he tells me not to worry.

It's just that I worry incase a group of boys see a boy alone, knife attacks etc I know it's irrational, but last time one of his friend's Mum gave him a lift, making me think I might be wrong in letting him get the bus.

Yes, I'm sure he'll be fine.
ds1 (11) goes to school on the bus, and has an 'anytime' pass for that route. If he's there in the evenings for a concert or something, I tell him either to cadge a lift with a mate or come home on the bus.

Having said that there isn't a knife crime issue around here to worry about.

Thanks everybody for replying. I feel so much better now.

Its at times like this I wish my partner was still alive, and he would just say "yes, he'll be fine, you're worrying as always"

Yes, if he's sensible he'll be fine. Think about what you did at his age, and remember he can legally leave home and get married in 2 years - he needs to learn how to be independent now.

IF a friends mum was happy to give him a lift before, she might be happy to make it a regular thing?

You could offer to pay petrol money or offer to do her ironing or something

MrsMuddle, in two years he can get married, yes you're right. There is a girl who wants to marry him now, shw writes Mrs Hannahamazinwoman xxxxxx

two years though, you're right , it will really go fast. It seems like 2 seconds since he was my little baby.

Yurtgirl, I've never spoken to his Mum. It's a new friend from High school. But I had his friend around for Sunday roast dinner, and can offer more often to make me feel better I suppose.

I've got one the same age, and it's really hard letting go and letting them make mistakes and do things that are potentially risky, but I thhink it's important for self confidence.

DS has been in a show and was at the after-show party on Saturday night. He was desperate to walk home with older children, but DH and I were on tenterhooks all night, staying sober in case he needed a lift. We went to bed at 11.55, so that when he came in at midnight we could pretend that we were relaxed, casual and in bed just like anyy other Saturday night.

I think my son is too mature for his age really.

It's just that he's lost his Dad, and i want to protect him from even more pain if i can.
I just feel a bit guilty that i haven't got a car, if i did, I would happily pick him up.

But you're right, I have to think in two years he can choose to be married.