Letting 15 year old Son travel to Europe by rail

I support KA's decision. She seems a very good mother and I'm sure if she felt her son wasn't mature enough to do this, she wouldn't have let him go. He went and came back safely.

I agree with others that times are very different and we can’t judge the present against what we were allowed to do in the past. I was playing out all day with friends from a very young age. Our playground was the woods at the back of our houses and we were out from morning till night with no way of our parents knowing where we were or what we were doing. I had a wonderful childhood but there is no way that happens now, and therefore children are not able to develop skills of initiative, self-reliance and survival that we did.

On another note, Children’s Services had no choice but to investigate this once referred to them. Should they really have thought, ‘oh look it’s Kirstie Allsopp, she’s a responsible person (is she? How do you know?) so it must be all right’. But then if Katie Price does the same thing (thank you MissAdventure) then they go in full force with the backing of the right wing press. Even though KP has devotedly brought up her very disabled child whilst KA famously flew first class leaving her children in cattle class. It has always been a problem of Children’s Services, that they police the poor (not that KP is poor but she is seen as having no class) whilst letting the middle classes off the hook. I’m glad that on this occasion they treated KA fairly and even-handedly.

You are right nightowl.

Good post nightowl. I agree that the past was very different. And how lucky we were to have lived in such a time that as children/teens we had such a freedom.

I agree that Childrens Services had to get involved and investigate as it was brought to their attention and to do otherwise would have brought them into disrepute.
Damned if they do and damned if they don't.
I am glad the young man had a great time and came to no harm which could easily have not been the case. It's outside circumstances which could have been a problem not whether he himself was mature/sensible enough to go.

Thank you JaneJudge and HelterSkelter

Sorry I'd be very worried about a young person going off on a jaunt with a friend to foreign climes. UK is fine but overseas is a different story. If they have access to reporting home OK but otherwise I'd prefer they waited a bit long and practised in the UK. Perhaps I'm a fuddy duddy. I'm pleased they made it home safely and enjoyed their adventure though but I'm glad they are not my offspring!

Apart from Harvey, I thought KP's children live with their fathers and they have the lion's share of parental control. With that in mind, I think the circumstances are different.

Why is nobody interested in Ben Andersen and his views?
I am sure it was his decision as much as hers!

I feel sorry for all the rubbish she's endured over this to be honest.

But yes, once reported, children's services had to check.

Jaxjacky

Well done to her, valuable lessons learnt by him, far more danger online in my opinion. Out of order for someone to report it, I bet SS moved quickly to act as KA is ‘famous’, their time would’ve been better spent elsewhere.

Maybe far more danger in London where they live.

I think it depends very much on the teenager . Parents know their children fairly well and many 15/ 16 year olds would not be sufficiently mature to deal with all situations. On the other hand others are more capable. Parents decision - don't think our son would have been confident enough to do that . He has grown into a very confident and capable man !

It's illegal.

I think it’s fine, and I’m sure he had a great time with his friend. They can’t be wrapt in cotton wool and bad things happen in the UK too. My son was mugged three times when a teenager. Aged 18 he went for the first time on his own to Spain to a festival and was completely safe.

I am puzzled. as to how. he. actually got out of the UK - surely his documents have to checked on embarkation??

I can't see anything about it being illegal MissAdventure - are you thinking it's "neglet" maybe?

I'd be genuiny interested to know as I can't find what law it could be breaking (not a solicitor/lawer though).

Astitchintime

I am puzzled. as to how. he. actually got out of the UK - surely his documents have to checked on embarkation??

He would probably have had a letter of consent from parents. I think that is enough.

Just googled this astitchintime
www.google.com/amp/s/europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/travel-documents-minors/indexamp_en.htm

I don’t think 15 is an appropriate age to go on holiday without an adult all sorts of nonsense can happen when two boys however ‘good’ are let loose, neither do I think it’s wrapping them up in cotton wool sallywally I also don’t think you can say well it can happen here, of course it can, but at least the parents are on hand nearby to sort a bad happening out not a plane ride away
I bet Jay Slaters mum wishes he hadn’t gone away and he was older
I m sorry but how ever clued up a boy of 15 is they are still a kid And boys seem kids longer than girls to be honest
It’s underage

A child can travel alone with a consent form Astitchintine

Yes, I stand corrected, it isn't illegal, with safeguards in place, so online info says.

That seems to be a letter from the parent.

That's what social services were checking.

I just think it's hilarious that KA is so outraged. It wasn't sensible for a 15 year old to be travelling about Europe these days. She's just so sure she knows best about everything that it's good for her to be reminded!

It's interesting that where I live (Sweden) it is considered perfectly OK for kids to live by themselves at age 15/16 in self-catering student accommodation, hundreds of miles from home to attend 6the form college. There were several in each of my DDs classes.

My own kids flew abroad without us to visit family when they were 14 and 16 - the only condition was that one passenger had t be over 16.

"A child can travel alone with a consent form Astitchintine"
Presumably, he had all the necessary papers and was allowed. to travel........what is all the fuss about? Maybe someone has the knives out for KA??

It is the speed with which this investigation was carried out that is astonishing.

Because of her class and education KA is very sure of herself; doesn't care to be challenged and arrogant to post it on X - from where SS found it.
I must concede I do not like the woman. Being told to 'Make do and Mend' by a rich aristo, did it for me.

I think as Cold has said, other European countries are much more relaxed about young people traveling alone.

We have German friends and their 16 year old son, a Scout, planned a trip to Ireland bringing 5 younger Scouts 13-15 year olds. We were astonished that the parents of the younger ones allowed their sons to go abroad with such a young leader but were assured he was very responsible. They were hiking around Ireland for 2 weeks, "wild" camping. No definite itinerary. They had 1 mobile phone but often no means of charging so kept it mostly switched off! Living in Ireland, we offered to meet up with them part way through their trip. They were all fine, but I still think it wasn't a great idea.