letting your teenage child use public transport on their own

[Mickeys Mrs]

At 14 I was travelling from the Sussex Coast to Derbyshire fairly regularly, going through London. That was 20+ years ago now mind.

Depends solely on the child and maturity.

[duchy]

Originally Posted by BerkshireBugsy

Now this is an interesting one (in my mind) because my daughter wanted to go away somewhere with her mates when she was 19 but I was up for her going but her mum wasnt so sure. But she went and had a brilliant time (not sure pathos would agree!) And came back safely.

So it seems the majority rule is it's ok (back to my original post) and who am I to disagree with the dibb!

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Every family is different , although it's probably easier to loosen the ties gradually than all in one go . At nineteen though lots of young adults are living away at uni but I recently did some uni classes and met students who were struggling because they'd never had to deal with public transport, basic food shopping , even using a washing machine before.

[Air Hercs]

Depends on the child, one of mine did her Year 10 work experience with the Department of Education in London so commuted by train and tube on her own for a week and was fine aged 14. Her brother is now 18 and I wouldn't trust him to get the right bus 😂

[DisneyWannabe]

I think I may be a bit weird about these things, I had no choice but to get myself around on public transport and there was no parental support whatsoever (if you want/need to do it, you have to sort it all) and I think it made me hyper aware of dangers and anxious.

So I think I've done the opposite with my kids, they have used the bus during daylight hours into the local town from age 11 (thank god for find my friends!), then took the train into the local city (after me taking them first a few times) at about 13. Eldest and Middle have taken longer train journeys from age 17 with one change.

I guess I'm too much of a worrier, so will always try and sort out taking them wherever possible.

PS. my kids are very sensible and grown-up so would be more than capable, it really is me that's the issue.

[Vinniecat]

For where I live my main concern would be cancellations. There is only one train an hour and it is frequently cancelled so I might be concerned for on the way back. Maybe ensure they have enough cash on them should they need to change plans such as get a bus instead. Teenagers are children transitioning into adults and without having some responsibility as a young teen they might struggle to adapt to life as an adult. My son who is 19 has just started driving to college in Manchester and although he has been driving for nearly two years it still worries me sick. One condition of us getting him a car was that he had his phone switched to find friends mode so I can track where he is and breathe a sigh of relief when he arrives.

[BevS97]

18 year olds need to be able to travel across the country. Possibly changing trains and coping with cancellations etc.

To get to that point they have to start small and build up. Maybe the bus to the nearest town first. Then a train to a lox city. Etc etc.

My 16 year d happily gets the metro into Newcastle and has done for a few years. Last week the trains broke down and they were stuck for a while. She coped just fine.

My eldest did the same and then took the train to some uni interviews. And regularly gets the train to / from uni. Or to London. Or flies to New York for camp. Etc.

Small steps. Then bigger steps until they can cope with whatever happens.

Of course when it goes wrong they will ring !

[mitch84]

I flew to Geneva alone regularly at 11, without unaccompanied minor either, just my Mum helped me check in, and then I’d get pointed through and she’d trust me to find my gate.
I was all over the country by train too, often with my younger brother in tow.
It really depends on the child