Nd advice-would you allow your 12 year old DD to walk around a huge mall alone or with a friend?

[Anonymous]

Is sex trafficking bad at that particular mall? Call Security and see what they say.

[Anonymous]

I’d go in the mall too, go to other stores. Kids not allowed to leave mall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At that age I would usually stay in the mall but them go to stores alone.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sex traffickers do not kidnap kids from the mall. They target vulnerable youth and lure them via social media or the pretense of a relationship. They are not snatching children randomly from public places.

+1

The biggest danger to children today is having parents who don’t monitor the device in their hands!

[Anonymous]

Definitely, but it depends on the kid (past experiences, track record, street smarts, etc.). I would suggest considering the reasons you're hesitating, and then deciding whether you think they're valid or should be addressed and changed.

[Anonymous]

Y’all are very fear driven. You know these kids are going to have to live in the world by themselves in just a few short years.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank you for your input. I ended up letting my DD go with her friend during the day. She had off on Friday from school so the mall was less crowded. I had her check in with me every half hour and when they went to a different floor level.

[Anonymous]

Not on your life

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

Depends on the kid & her friend but, in most cases, yes.

[Anonymous]

I just don’t understand what those who say no will think could happen. Is your 12 year old going to wander off with a stranger? Get lost? Be kidnapped (really, how would that happen, they’d get dragged through a mall?)? Really think about what your fear is and the actually likelihood of it happening before you say no to something. Remember the entire object of parenting is to prepare them to leave the nest and parent accordingly. If they arent ready to walk through a public space at 12, then instead of saying no, figure out the skill they are missing so you can help them acquire it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just don’t understand what those who say no will think could happen. Is your 12 year old going to wander off with a stranger? Get lost? Be kidnapped (really, how would that happen, they’d get dragged through a mall?)? Really think about what your fear is and the actually likelihood of it happening before you say no to something. Remember the entire object of parenting is to prepare them to leave the nest and parent accordingly. If they arent ready to walk through a public space at 12, then instead of saying no, figure out the skill they are missing so you can help them acquire it.

+1 13 yr old DD is going to Tysons today with two friends, no worries at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank you for your input. I ended up letting my DD go with her friend during the day. She had off on Friday from school so the mall was less crowded. I had her check in with me every half hour and when they went to a different floor level.

Good job mom! This is how you give your daughter some independence while still satisfying your need to exercise oversight. It's hard and scary to let go, but aren't you proud to have a daughter who is not afraid to spread her wings a little?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can’t sleep. All night I had a fight with my daughter. I currently live in Minnesota, my 12 year old wants to go with her friend (13) to walk around alone in the Mall of America. This mall is the largest in the country. When I was young I use to walk to town and around town by myself at this age; but times are different. I told her no. I’ve read a lot about sex trafficking stories lately. My DD is very pretty and so is her friend. Am I being too paranoid? I allow her to walk alone in a smaller mall but MOA? What would you do?

You're right- times are different. They're actually safer! Your parents didn't read about sex trafficking because there wasn't internet. Not because it wasn't happening. Your 12 year old is not going to get sex trafficked at Mall of America no matter how "pretty" she and her friend are (eyeroll). If you let her walk alone in smaller malls I truly see no difference- it's a mall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can’t sleep. All night I had a fight with my daughter. I currently live in Minnesota, my 12 year old wants to go with her friend (13) to walk around alone in the Mall of America. This mall is the largest in the country. When I was young I use to walk to town and around town by myself at this age; but times are different. I told her no. I’ve read a lot about sex trafficking stories lately. My DD is very pretty and so is her friend. Am I being too paranoid? I allow her to walk alone in a smaller mall but MOA? What would you do?

Yes your right. Times are different now. There is much less crime! Let her go to the mall