Mum sparks lengthy debate on Mumsnet for letting her daughter and her friend go into town alone
"Polly texts her mum to say she's having fun. Three minutes later Polly's mother calls me. I am 'grossly irresponsible letting two young girls go into town and anything could happen.'"
WOULD you consider it 'grossly irresponsible' if another parent let your child go into town with their friend without consulting you?
That's exactly what this mum was labelled when she let her 12-year-old daughter, Katie, and her 14-year-old best friend, Polly, go into Manchester for a hot chocolate during half term break.
The clearly shocked mother has shared her experience on and it has received a mixed response.
Posting under the name Saggingninja, the mum wrote: "My 12 year old daughter's best friend - 'Polly' comes to stay for a few days over half-term. Polly is 14.
"On the first day, Polly says she would love to go into town (Manchester) with Katie. So I give them money, make sure their phones are charged and send them off.
"Both girls are sitting in a cafe having hot chocolate. Polly texts her mum to say she's having fun. Three minutes later Polly's mother calls me.
"I am 'grossly irresponsible letting two young girls go into town and anything could happen.'
"I pointed out that it's half-term, there are likely to be loads of parents and children around and both girls go to school by bus every day."
But that wasn't enough to allay the worried mother's fears.
Saggingninja continued: "But Polly's mother is convinced their are gangs of Mancunian paedophiles lurking everywhere, so I dash into town to rescue the girls from having a nice time.
"I had very overprotective parents who convinced me there were 'bad people' everywhere and kept me in a bubble.
"I grew up anxious and timid and was determined that my own children would be more confident.
"And our sons are far more likely to be victims of criminal violence. Our girls are in far more (statistical) danger of being assaulted by someone they know well.
"Perhaps I should have told Polly's mother before I let them go. But she (Polly) seemed so pleased and there were two of them. Was I wrong?"
The experience has received hundreds of responses since it was posted on the website yesterday.
Peaceloveandbiscuits reassured the mother about her decisions saying: "They're 14, I don't think you did anything wrong."
WatchingFromTheWings also agreed adding: "My kids have been going into town with friends since about 12. Granted it's not as big a town as Manchester but I don't think you did anything wrong at all."
Eyebrowsonfleek said: "You did nothing wrong. I would have checked if they were primary school age but it's ridiculous that she was angry about the girls being out in daytime with charged phones in a place that at least one of them knows well."
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But other mothers disgreed and said the mum should have told Polly's mother before letting the two girls go into town.
Babyapril said: "I think you should always check. You weren't unreasonable- but by the same token it wasn't your call. I find it a nightmare with children other than my own!"
Atticusclaw2 had very strong views on the topic, saying: "You were wrong to let them go without checking with Polly's mother yes."
And then there are those who suggested Polly's mother is over protective and should talk to her daughter about why she cannot go out in town.
BantyCustards suggested: "Polly's mum needs to have an actual conversation with you about why she thinks Polly cannot cope in town at the age of 14 instead of telling you that you are 'irresponsible'."
While ThumbWitchesAbroad said Polly's mum is "a bit OTT".