How Old?

[icbeckyc]

When did you let your kids start going to the mall w/o an adult? Did you require a group or could they go with just one friend?

My daughter is starting high school in 3 days and she is wanting to go to the mall with a friend. No adults. This makes me incrediblly nervous. I didn't start going w/o a parent till close to the end of my first yr of high school and things were way simpliar than now.

I was thinking letting her go to one in a nicer neighborhood but had to have at least a group of 4-5 friends. Of course she thinks I am crazy.

 

[Linnis]

I started going to the mall alone with a group of friends when I started high school. With eachother I'm sure they'll be fine. With the one friend, they won't want to seperate.

Maybe for her first time you can drop them off and then pick them up 3 hours later. If they handle that, then next time you can let them take the bus but pick them up then the follow time bus both ways. You know work up to it? Which I think is as much for mummy as your daughter.

 

[tp65]

I let my daughter go when she started high school. The first time I went too but did not stay with them, we met back up later. Then dropped the two of them off and went back after them. I had to agree to which mall, they had to have a reason for going (new shirt, jeans, etc) and they had to stay together. It was never a problem. Now that she is 17 she goes when she wants but still always with a friend...now it is the parking lot I most worry about. We never stop worrying they just change what we have to worry about!

 

[bliz]

My kids could go to the mall on their own (without a parent) when they coud get themselves there on their own - as in, old enough to drive there. Malls are a magnet for kids, and also the people who like to sell things to kids, prey on kids.

 

[Christianmom1968]

My children are 14 and 13 and I still don't let them hang out at the mall by themselves. They both have cell phones and I will let them look around on their own but we call each other and meet at predetermined times.

I don't like the idea of kids just hanging out at the mall.

 

[icbeckyc]

We never stop worrying they just change what we have to worry about!

Well I let her go and it seems like everyone made it back alive. I did make the rule of only 2 hours and she had to call when the other mom got there to pick the girls up.

 

[tp65]

Sounds like it worked out well for both of you! That is great!

 

[sreno7]

I don't like the idea of hanging out but if they have a purpose I guess it is OK, my daugher just turned 15 and I just allowed it a couple of months ago and she goes on the bus with a couple of friends who are older.

 

[icbeckyc]

I don't like the idea of hanging out but if they have a purpose I guess it is OK, my daugher just turned 15 and I just allowed it a couple of months ago and she goes on the bus with a couple of friends who are older.

Honestly I don't think it's the best idea. But really there aren't that many places I would even consider letting her hang and and the mall is one of the few. I would only consider certain malls.

 

[AngelGirl2525]

I started hanging at the mall with friends when I was 14. We lived in a medium sizedtown of about 30 thousand people. It was one of the things she wasn't strict about. My son is 13 and I'd let him hang with frinds at the mall.

 

[icbeckyc]

So now I have another question. Found out from a friend, ran into my daughter and her 1 friend at the mall. When I asked my daughter about this she starting making up stuff. Finally got her to admit to the fact that it wasn't 4 of them like I told her it had to be. I am sooo dissappointed right now. Needless to say she won't being going to the mall for a while. I haven't given her a time I just said for a very long time. How would you handle it?

 

[God.is.my.force]

It's cause Your parents were TOO OVER PROTECTIVE... like memories from the Korean war and all are attacking them, so they thought the world is crap

 

[tp65]

So now I have another question. Found out from a friend, ran into my daughter and her 1 friend at the mall. When I asked my daughter about this she starting making up stuff. Finally got her to admit to the fact that it wasn't 4 of them like I told her it had to be. I am sooo dissappointed right now. Needless to say she won't being going to the mall for a while. I haven't given her a time I just said for a very long time. How would you handle it?

She lied, end of story. I would do the same as you are doing. The Korean war? That was actually a much safer time in America for kids...kids are vulnerable but don't believe it. My daughter goes to the mall whenever she wants, with a friend...she is 17. My son is 12 and has no interest in the mall, but I still make him take a friend wherever he does go....it's called common sense. As for the number 4, it was the mom's rule. Doesn't have to make sense to a kid...if they want to honor God then they need to honor their parents.

 

[CFpetRESCUER15]

It's cause Your parents were TOO OVER PROTECTIVE... like memories from the Korean war and all are attacking them, so they thought the world is crap

Mine? Holly Molly I don't think so. They had strange ideas, but they weren't over protective. lol And I don't think I understand the Korean War point. But that's ok.