Should I allow 5yo DS to go to Legoland for the day with his friend and family?

[Starshinetiger]

Ok, so I know I've probably being very over-cautious.... DS was due to go to his friend's bday party tomorrow... all fine. Today said friend's Mum saw me in town and said that only DS and one other had accepted the party and she had thought she would take them to Legoland instead. I said yes on the spot (we have annual passes this year - it's very close to us), so no probs cost-wise. Now I'm having jitters and wondering whether I should let him go with them on his own. I know she would keep a close eye on him, but when DS and his friend get together they can be a bit of a handful (hyper and mucking around, not listening) and he can be absent-minded too, so could easily wander off and get lost if it's a busy day.

Am I being over-cautious, or sensible? Should I let him go or not?

[orienteerer]

Let him go, and you can enjoy a day of freedom......

[everythingtodo]

Wont they run into the 1 adult to one child problem though? As you know with your passes, you need to be 130cm to go on the rides yourself and lots need 1 adult to 1 child ( wave rider, rollercoasters). Means kids will have to wait while mum takes one of them on, and then the other, and then the other....you get my drift!

[PoppyWearer]

Let him go! I went with a friend and his parents to London on the train for a day trip when I was 5 or 6yo and it blew my tiny mind. I remember walking along the streets, taking the tube...WITHOUT my DPs. Such freedom! I loved it.

3yo DD has been to Legoland and Chessington with my PILs, she knows her way around better than I do. We are passholders. They are child-friendly places, he'll be fine.

[jellybeans]

I wouldn't if you are not 100 percent sure. I said no to simelar at that age for my DSs. In all cases the parents were laid back and let their kids wander off etc and my DT were delayed clumsy and rowdy. One had a very bad accident at a friends house when things got rowdy. It was horrendous we thought we would lose him. I did let them do stuff as they got older though such as cub camps even though I still worried.

[jellybeans]

I did let them go with grandparents though with no issues. You can always make an excuse. Trust your gut!

[ReelAroundTheFountain]

It would depend how many other children (siblings etc) as well as the birthday boy, the other acceptee and your ds and how many adults.

If it were just the 3 children with two parents then I would say yes. They do have wrist labels you can write mobile numbers on in case they did get separated but I think its pretty unlikely.

Good luck to anyone attempting legoland on a Saturday in June

[Starshinetiger]

Thanks - it's now just DS and his friend. Hopefully her DSis or DP is going with her - I've told her that it'll be really hard if one of them doesn't due to ride restrictions. Am going to see how I feel in the morning - she's borrowing our passes. If her Dsis or DP aren't going, I might decide that DD and I will go with them (although that will be 2 adults and 3 children so won't resolve the ride problem) ... I am such a worrier!
I can always decide that DS is poorly tomorrow and can't go, but still lend her our passes!

[blanksquit]

I think in general people are much more careful when they take other people's dc's out. I know I am. Mainly because you know what your own are likely to do but not somebody else's.

You could always mention you're a bit worried and suggest that you go too - it would make more of a party.

[ditsyflo]

If you do decide to let him go, give him a special t-shirt to wear. Buy a cheap, plain t-shirt (white or pale colour) and either in permanent marker or fabric pens write the contact mobile number across the front. No names.
I have 4 little ones, and when we take them to crowded things (Museums, Legoland, County Fairs, festivals etc) they wear t-shirts that say 'If I'm lost please phone Mummy 0044xxxxxxxxx or Daddy 0044xxxxxxxxxx'
I brief my DCs before we get there that if they get lost and they must seek out a mummy with children and ask her to ring the number on the t-shirt. I warn them not to ask anyone who doesn't have children with them unless they are a police or security guard.
HTH