Would you leave your 12 year old in the gift shop...

[mom2rtk]

You don't have a clue!

OK then.

 

[MomBoyd]

Yes, I would.

Another idea is to have them wait in line together & have your DD use the chicken exit. She could then simply wait at the off-load point. It would, at least, minimize time she spends alone.

This is what I would do with my 12 year old son.

 

[mjkacmom]

You don't have a clue!

So move. I live 5 miles from a city that was listed in the top 25 most violent cities in the US. I live in a nice town, but in an area where, if you get lost, make a wrong turn, you could be in a somewhat dangerous situation 10 minutes from home. Even as an adult, my GPS has messed up, and I've been in areas where I immediately lock my doors and pray.

I hope my kids learn some street smarts, learn to trust their instincts, not panic, and make smart decisions in surprise situations, before they're driving.

 

[aaarcher86]

So move. I live 5 miles from a city that was listed in the top 25 most violent cities in the US. I live in a nice town, but in an area where, if you get lost, make a wrong turn, you could be in a somewhat dangerous situation 10 minutes from home. Even as an adult, my GPS has messed up, and I've been in areas where I immediately lock my doors and pray.

I hope my kids learn some street smarts, learn to trust their instincts, not panic, and make smart decisions in surprise situations, before they're driving.

Kinda what I was thinking

 

[fan1080]

So move.

Kinda what I was thinking

Agreed.

And, I was thinking Peter Fan could let us know where they live as a service to the rest of us..... so we can avoid living there!

 

[ccgirl]

Agreed.

And, I was thinking Peter Fan could let us know where they live as a service to the rest of us..... so we can avoid living there!

Bolded mine. I am very curious to know where he lives.

 

[Sunnywho]

Besides the options already discussed, you could have your friend go alone while you're with your daughter, then have yourself go alone while your friend is with the daughter. If you both have fast passes, this might go fairly quickly.

People are talking a lot about stranger danger but my first thought was that the ride would break down and the daughter would be left for an extended amount of time on her own. I've never had TOT breakdown on me but I've had other rides.

The 'chicken exit' seems like a good option, it also gives her an opportunity to change her mind and go on the ride at the last moment.

I have a 10 year old daughter and would do the first 'alternating' strategy so that she wouldn't be left alone but I'd still get to ride after the friend is done. Would probably be eating a cupcake with her at starring roles, then vinylmation trading in the shops along that street during the wait. But she's 10, not 12.

 

[finbait]

AS previously posted, I would not leave my kids at 12. Now, at home, my daughter watches her little brother without thought. But these days, I don't trust strangers to be kind,decent and safe.In my line of work I see the very worst of human life form, and what they can do to others. My kids are confident and strong and know how to take care of themselves, but they are KIDS, not little adults. They should never HAVE to defend themselves. I am their mom, their gaurdian and protector. I know that they are safe in our home. I also now from our experiance at Disney and the reponse of the police and the CM's that this happens more often then any of us what's to believe. Is any ride really worth your childs innocence, or sense of safety and childhood? If my child was 14 or 15, or was being left with another child who was 12-13 then I would concider.
Also, what if it's not a evil thinking stranger, what if it is just a rude, mean adult. We have all seen an example of an adult acting out in public. WHAT IF you did get stuck on a ride?
Just my 2 cents...
I know I will be attacked, but at the end of MY life, I will know I did everything I could to raise confident, successful children, who had a safe enviroment to grow up in. And never felt tlike they had to defend themselves as kids.
But, I am also the same mom who will absolutly drag my 9 year old SON into the ladies room, if I feel like it is unsafe for him to go to the mens room alone..... So I hope the Women who claims that this is rediculous isn't in there. I would HATE to make her feel uncomfortable for MY son's safety

 

[nchulka]

I have a 10 year old daughter and would do the first 'alternating' strategy so that she wouldn't be left alone But she's 10, not 12.

While I am glad to see that most people would leave a 12 year old, I'm curious what age most would be comfortable with this. I had no problems doing this with my DS who turned 7 on our trip. What age do most think it's okay to leave your child for a short amount of time on their own??

 

[skater]

I really think judging each other is pointless. Every kid is different, every family is different. I am taking an 11 year old by myself this winter. I would not leave him alone to ride a ride. But I really don't care if someone else does.

 

[Anniefrances]

Being a single mom of 2 children I have encountered the dilemma of what to do when 1 wants to ride and the other doesn't.

On our last visit we had a couple of days when the mother's helper I hired couldn't make it. So on those days we improvised. For the major attractions (e.g. EE), my younger child (7) went through the line with us then ducked out just as we boarded. Literally no more than 5 minutes or so we rejoined him after exiting the ride. Cast members were told what we were doing and no one thought this inappropriate or unusual. I did this only for attractions that my older child had not yet tried--I didn't want him to be alone or with a stranger for his first time trying a ride. Note that this works only if the non-riding child is tall enough for the ride (otherwise they are not allowed to stand in line even if they are not riding).

But for attractions that he was familiar with, the other strategy we used was to grab 3 fastpasses and then come back at the designated time and wait for a pair of older teenage/college girls/women getting ready to use the regular line. I would then explain our situation and ask if they would be willing to ride with my older child and offered the fastpasses for the 3 of them. This way I could wait at the exit with my younger child. We met some really nice people that way, including a young woman who was in the WDW internship program (she was spending a day off with her family).

 

[GrammyJudy]

Times have certainly changed and not for the better...when my children were 12 & 14 we allowed them to go into the park alone for the evening. Back then Disney stated that all children under 7 had to be with a parent! Now I think 7 is way too young but 12 should be fine. My DGS is 12 now and I am sure he would be fine waiting in a gift shop while his mother rode a ride but that would never happen as he is a daredevil? She is your child and only you can make this decision! Have a great trip

 

[eliza61]

Just my 2 cents...
I know I will be attacked, but at the end of MY life, I will know I did everything I could to raise confident, successful children, who had a safe enviroment to grow up in. And never felt tlike they had to defend themselves as kids.
But, I am also the same mom who will absolutly drag my 9 year old SON into the ladies room, if I feel like it is unsafe for him to go to the mens room alone..... So I hope the Women who claims that this is rediculous isn't in there. I would HATE to make her feel uncomfortable for MY son's safety

Not attacking but at what age can a kid go to the bathroom by himself?
If a kid is 14 but on the small side is it still ok to drag him into the girls bathroom.

the problem with this is that YOU have decided to make others feel unsafe in what is supposed to be their space. YOU are now impacting their experience because of your selfishness and that's not fair.

If some one leaves a kid by himself generally only that person is involved but what you do is not the same.

Yes I would feel uncomfortable seeing a boy in the little girls room especially if I had a little girl in there. I also wouldn't advise my husband to take my 9 year old neice into the mens room with him.

You say you are keeping your son safe but now I have to worry about my female child because of your kid (who since I don't know could be just as dangerous). So the translation I'm getting is yes, I'll break the rules and the heck with every one else.

I've seen some tall 9 year olds so yep, I'd probably be looking for security if I walked in with my 4 yo to see a kid standing up against a stall in the womens room.

 

[minnie mum]

But, I am also the same mom who will absolutly drag my 9 year old SON into the ladies room, if I feel like it is unsafe for him to go to the mens room alone..... So I hope the Women who claims that this is rediculous isn't in there. I would HATE to make her feel uncomfortable for MY son's safety

How about you do ALL of us a really big favour and take your son into the companion bathroom instead. That will spare everyone (including your son) the embarrassment of having a prepubescent boy staring at all the women and girls.

 

[robinb]

Not attacking but at what age can a kid go to the bathroom by himself?

How about you do ALL of us a really big favour and take your son into the companion bathroom instead. That will spare everyone (including your son) the embarrassment of having a prepubescent boy staring at all the women and girls.

I figured her name was finbait for a reason .

 

[ccgirl]

I was waiting for this to turn into a debate about the rest rooms. The next poster will say that the companion restroom is only for the disabled.

I stand by my view that my DD10 will most definitely be made to feel uncomfortable by a boy her age being in the girls bathroom. I will explain as I always do that the boy must be disabled and need his mother's assistance.

 

[skater]

I was waiting for this to turn into a debate about the rest rooms. The next poster will say that the companion restroom is only for the disabled.

I stand by my view that my DD10 will most definitely be made to feel uncomfortable by a boy her age being in the girls bathroom. I will explain as I always do that the boy must be disabled and need his mother's assistance.

I understand what you're saying, but what will you do with your son when he's 10 and alone with you if he has to go to the bathroom at the mall? (Sorry for the predictability in a bathroom question ).

 

[LaurenT]

AS previously posted, I would not leave my kids at 12. Now, at home, my daughter watches her little brother without thought. But these days, I don't trust strangers to be kind,decent and safe.In my line of work I see the very worst of human life form, and what they can do to others. My kids are confident and strong and know how to take care of themselves, but they are KIDS, not little adults. They should never HAVE to defend themselves. I am their mom, their gaurdian and protector. I know that they are safe in our home. I also now from our experiance at Disney and the reponse of the police and the CM's that this happens more often then any of us what's to believe. Is any ride really worth your childs innocence, or sense of safety and childhood? If my child was 14 or 15, or was being left with another child who was 12-13 then I would concider.
Also, what if it's not a evil thinking stranger, what if it is just a rude, mean adult. We have all seen an example of an adult acting out in public. WHAT IF you did get stuck on a ride?
Just my 2 cents...
I know I will be attacked, but at the end of MY life, I will know I did everything I could to raise confident, successful children, who had a safe enviroment to grow up in. And never felt tlike they had to defend themselves as kids.
But, I am also the same mom who will absolutly drag my 9 year old SON into the ladies room, if I feel like it is unsafe for him to go to the mens room alone..... So I hope the Women who claims that this is rediculous isn't in
there. I would HATE to make her feel uncomfortable for MY son's safety

I'm probably pointing out the obvious, but if your son is an average 9 yr old male, he's old enough to be staring with interest at the girls and women in the women's restroom.
You might reconsider and go to the companion restroom where you can be both safe and appropriate....

 

[skater]

I'm probably pointing out the obvious, but if your son is an average 9 yr old male, he's old enough to be staring with interest at the girls and women in the women's restroom.
You might reconsider and go to the companion restroom where you can be both safe and appropriate....

I wonder if he can see through the stalls?

 

[nchulka]

I understand what you're saying, but what will you do with your son when he's 10 and alone with you if he has to go to the bathroom at the mall?

Is this a serious question?!?! I would do the same thing I did with him when he was 5, tell him to go use the men's room!