kids safety

[nibab4]

I am looking for your opinion and experiences, two questions.

1. Would you let your 13yr DD & 10yr DS adventure alone or together at the motel (All-Star sports) or accompany them at all times?

2. At the theme parks would you use the single lines or group lines for rides?

 

[cabmom]

My kids are younger than those ages, but I would probably say no.

I would use group lines so we wouldn't get seperated.

Marilynn

 

[Debbie]

You'll know your kids better than anyone else. I always taught my kiddos at an early age how to deal with "situations", and they were, for the most part, able to cope. Yes, they went to the arcades by themselves. Not swimming, though. We were always in the area. They went for refillable mugs, and off to the store. Time was always given, and they respected their "curfew", whether it was 30 minutes or 90. I love the single rider lines! Even at age 7, we would sandwich the munchkin between two adults. Then, we were pretty certain that one of us would get to the end before then and one after. Often we finished at the same time. We did this in 2002 at Universal, and the girls were 8 and 11. But, like I said, I know my kids, they are independent, mature, and they know how to deal with situations. HTH

 

[Sandyincanada]

I would do group lines, more fun to ride together.

Once they know there way around, I'd let mine go off on their own to certain areas of the resort. 13 is the legal babysitting age and most at that age are mature enough to be trusted, IMO. My DD certainly was at that age and I could trust them to go the store, games room, etc at a resort. We would pop in off and on to make sure they were OK.

 

[maryliz]

I would only use single rider if the regular wait-time was horrendous, and you were assured that single-rider was waaayyy faster. Even if you don't talk during an attraction, it's always more fun to have someone you know with you.

My kids are younger than yours, so haven't had to deal with that situation yet. I think if it were at night, I would personally "get them to their destination" and then give them a curfew to return back to the room. I can't wait til they're old enough to go refill all of the mugs while I relax in the room!

MaryLiz

 

[nibab4]

Thanks for the comments!


J

 

[robinsnest49ers]

Before tonight I probably would say that it was o.k. for a 13 yr old to go off on her own, but after watching this show I'm having serious doubts. There was a 13 year old girl who's family checked into a comfort inn and the daughter went down to the lobby and was grabbed out of the elevator and taken out the back of the hotel. Luckily she spotted the other party they were travelling with and yelled for help and was rescued. The man who took her was a serial offender who later was caught and convicted of multiple rapes and other offences. I've done it before, let my kids run up to the room for a drink if we're at the pool or whatever, but now I think I'll be a little more cautious. This man walked right in the front door, past a security camera and the front desk and was never stopped. Makes you think twice doesn't it?

 

[nibab4]

Just when I was starting to loosen the apron strings!!!!!!!!!!

My DD will only be 13yr plus one week. We're not new to staying in motels and I try to give them a little freedom, this only gives more weight to my case. Thats why I always tell my DH that I'm not comfortable with kids roaming the halls alone. If they leave the room for something and are not back within a reasonnable amount of time I'm out looking for them.

 

[Sandyincanada]

And its also why its alot safer when kids travel in 2's. MY previous reply would have been different if you said there was only 1 child, kids are usually safe when there is more than one. You also hear of kids getting nabbed from their own yard, I try real hard not to dwell on these rare happenings or I'd be keeping my kids under lock and key,

 

[nibab4]

Sandyincanada

That is also my philosophy, who would want two kids at once. My 10yr DS thinks he's capable of handling everything that comes up, he makes me nervous. He'll wonder off on an adventure any time, just to try to prove me wrong; and has done so on a few occasions.