Would you do this?

[Tinkerbell424]

When I went to disney world a few years ago(I wa slike 9 or 10) my dad and brother wanted to ride TOT and I didnt so I waited outside..While I was waiting some lady from NJ justs at down with her son and started to talk to me.So personally I wouldnt leave my son/daughter out there becuase somehting COULD happen,even if its in the daylight and there are tons of people.lol.

I dont liuke being by my self,so thats another reason why I wouldntleave my son/daughter out there,I would worry they would be scared or w.e

lol.Sorry if this irrelvant.

 

[Flora Fan]

I think I would have talked about it with my DH, but if he remained adament on the point, I would have let it drop.

I would be sure to explain to DS that while he is trustworthy and there are no doubts about the trust level with him, unfortunately the world causes the problem.

 

[dimimi]

I'm with the posters who have said to have the child wait in line and then take the chicken exit. There is always a lot to see in line and why wait alone. This way you are together except for the time of the ride. I guess I would even wait in line if I weren't going to ride the ride. I always make my son wait with us and a lot of times he decides to ride with us. Although I wouldn't even suggest TOT...he's a chicken! I also agree with those who have said it depends on the child...I'm sure you knew your son could handle it or you wouldn't have suggested it. My husband is more cautious about leaving the kids home alone for a short time..where I do!

 

[tjmw2727]

I am in the it depends on the kid camp - my oldest I would not have left at 10 but my youngest just turned 10 and I probably would. They are totally different personalities and while I would consider it with my younger dd I never would have left my oldest when she was 10. Now that same dd, by the end of 11 maybe and at now at 12 yes.

I would also consider that sometimes even with FP the ride can take a while and even possibly have a stop or a break down. Would he panic or be patient and confident enough to wait? If he/she has to go to the bathroom, would he wait or try and go and find his way back, if so would they be able to handle that?

I guess in the OP's case if either dh or I had reservations we would not leave the kids. I would trust his instincts and hope he trusted mine.

TJ

 

[winterman]

I would have let him wait. I'd be more concerned that he might wander off by himself, then that someone would bother him. If I were you I would have left them both and ridden by myself. It was your DH's loss if he wouldn't ride alone.

 

[tinah159]

I am really interested in everyones answer. Can you make this a poll?

 

[Boncho]

No, I'm with your hubby on this one.

 

[alicenwonder99]

Really depends on the personality of the child I think. My Son at 10 was already had a good head on his shoulders and would tell someone trying to get him to go somewhere to get lost, or would go to a CM and ask them to get this guy away from him....

My oldest daughter at 10 (love her to death) could *possibly* take the bait of some guy who said her mom got hurt on TOT and had to meet her in the parking lot (despite our constant coaching).

So son at 10-yes

Oldest Daughter at 10-no

Youngest daughter at 10...we shall see

Yes, it depends on the child. I could definitely see even letting my dd8 alone on the bench right now. But my youngest child, he's 6 now, I could see him going along with someone to help them "find the lost puppy" or something...lol.

But if the OP's dh felt uncomfortable with the situation, then it probably wouldn't be a good idea.

 

[kimis]

absolutely not! There are toooooo many strange people out there in this day and age. Plus if by some chance he got bored and just wandered to look at something all innocently he could still get lost. Than you waste a lot of time looking for him and you would have defeated the purpose of having a FP.

 

[hollyb]

NO WAY!!!! He is a 10 year old child. It only takes a second for someone to take him. YES even in a place like Disney it could happen. Shocker I know.

I can't believe people would take the chance of endangering their child just to go on a ride. Who taught you how to parent?

When push comes to shove the kids always come first. Your DH needs to wake up and realize that life isn't about him.

 

[cleo]

Your DH needs to wake up and realize that life isn't about him.

Her husband is the one who said No, their son can't sit by himself.

 

[disneyjunkie]

NO WAY!!!! He is a 10 year old child. It only takes a second for someone to take him. YES even in a place like Disney it could happen. Shocker I know.

I can't believe people would take the chance of endangering their child just to go on a ride. Who taught you how to parent?

When push comes to shove the kids always come first. Your DH needs to wake up and realize that life isn't about him.

I would have done it. I guess according to you, that makes me a bad parent.

Well there must be millions of us here in NYC since we allow our children to ride city buses and subways alone to school each day.

Any kid that can handle walking a few blocks to a public bus stop or subway station and riding alone, can handle waiting on a bench alone for a few minutes.

 

[tkd lisa]

Another one on the "I would do it" side. At 10, many kids walk to the bus stop alone, and that's a much more likely environment for child snatching.

I have had my DS do this any number of times. Probably the youngest age he did this at was 10, and that was at Hershey Park, which is more open than WDW.

 

[MichelleVW]

NO WAY!!!! He is a 10 year old child. It only takes a second for someone to take him. YES even in a place like Disney it could happen. Shocker I know.

I can't believe people would take the chance of endangering their child just to go on a ride. Who taught you how to parent?

When push comes to shove the kids always come first. Your DH needs to wake up and realize that life isn't about him.

Whoa there....yes things can and do happen everywhere...but you can't put them in a bubble forever. There is nothing wrong with leaving a level headed 10 year old sitting on a bench for a few minutes at Disney World. If YOUR comfort level wouldn't want to do it fine.....BUT if my children and I am comfortable with it you have no right to question my parenting skills.

 

[tjmw2727]

NO WAY!!!! He is a 10 year old child. It only takes a second for someone to take him. YES even in a place like Disney it could happen. Shocker I know.

I can't believe people would take the chance of endangering their child just to go on a ride. Who taught you how to parent?

When push comes to shove the kids always come first. Your DH needs to wake up and realize that life isn't about him.

Once again you have it wrong, the DH is the one who would not leave the child alone to ride! Even so, nobody on this thread is endangering a child or advocating such.

Would you kindly consider trying to make your point without insulting those who don't agree with you?

TJ

 

[Whosemom]

We've been facing this for a couple years as well. Our oldest is our chicken. We have debated at Cedar Point having her in line with us, walk across the ride and wait in the exit area. Thats really open and she's alone for what? two rounds of a rollercoaster, so 8 minutes?

Even being ok with that, I don't feel comfortable with the "chicken exit" at indoor rides. I've never seen one, but I picture a quiet hallway. I want my waiting kid in a public area. Plus, either the bench outside, or the chicken exit (don't they come quite a bit before the end), they are alone for quite awhile.

As of this past year (10yo) we have not done it. I would be totally ok with it if I was leaving two 10 yr olds, so I don't think its the same as sending them to school even in NYC on the city bus. Its that little girl ALONE that is more vulnerable. (although the young poster who said a 10yo, 6yo and 3yo were left alone gave me hives)

 

[motherof4]

Absolutley not! I still walk my kids to school, and that is only a 10 minute walk! My oldest is 10! Yes, some will let there kids walk to and from school etc. There are many psychos out there, and they know where to shop! Theme parks are one of those places! Belive or not our home town tv station did a special called "Stranger Danger", they set kids up that were very well taught, on stranger dangers, and it was scary that most of those kids were lured away, even though they were well taught! I would never be able to forgive myself if something ever happened! I f you can live with that then, that is your choice!

 

[wendy46001]

I guess you would have to know your child...but at 10 and 9 my mother would drop my brother and i off in the parking lot of Ticket and Transportation with ten dollars and our annual passes (of course this was back in the day).....so sitting on a bench for 30min is no big deal to us

 

[LIFERBABE]

NO WAY!!!! He is a 10 year old child. It only takes a second for someone to take him. YES even in a place like Disney it could happen. Shocker I know.

I can't believe people would take the chance of endangering their child just to go on a ride. Who taught you how to parent?

When push comes to shove the kids always come first. Your DH needs to wake up and realize that life isn't about him.

I feel this rant was totally uncalled for. It's ok to disagree, but you can do that without being insulting.

I agree with others that many children walk to school everyday or to the bus stop, or are latchkey at this age and sometimes younger.

She wasnt leaving her son in a dumpster or on the side of the road she was suggesting to let him park it on a bench for a few minutes.

Dh and I have these same types of conversations. Our first DCL cruise, he didnt want to leave our 2 boys (6 and 8 then) in the clubs alone. We compromised and went back to check on them almost hourly. We checked them out often, and they complained because they missed alot of activities. Next cruise, he was more comfortable with it and they had a much better time. Children do need situations to handle, we can't handle them all for them all the time.
It does depend on the child, I have a 9 year old and I would allow him to wait.

 

[cleo]

Belive or not our home town tv station did a special called "Stranger Danger", they set kids up that were very well taught, on stranger dangers, and it was scary that most of those kids were lured away, even though they were well taught!

I saw a show similar to this, where they 'set up' TEENAGERS in a mall. These weren't children, but nearly-grown adults, and they were in groups, not alone. The camera crew filmed while undercover police officers (dressed like regular mall visitors) asked groups of teens to leave the mall with them to help with some errand. EVERY ONE OF THEM WENT. Every single one.

That was it for me. There is nothing in this world, especially a theme park ride, that would be worth that risk for ME and for MY son. I wouldn't tell anyone else what to do or think, but the vision of those teenagers walking off with a total stranger was all I needed to see to be far less casual with my son's future. I know you have to let 'em go sometime, but not at 10. For me, not at 11 or 12, either.........