Yes for sure. Middle school is when it is cool to hang out at the mall. By high school, it isn't really cool anymore.

They wander the stores, try on ridiculous outfits their parents would never let them buy, they look at edgy t shirts / shoes. They get a smoothie or a coffee, they chit chat.

Occasionally we had minor issues but those were just teachable moments. Once they started playing tag / hide and go seek or some kind of game where they were running through the mall. Got in trouble with security. Another time someown with them shoplifted a small item from Ardene's. didn't get caught but my DD wasn't sure what to do. A thirs time two friends coupled off and left the group and went odf their own and rhe resr of the kids didn't know where they were, didn't want to leave their friends. In allcases we just talked through the scenarios and they were good learning moments.

I didn't stay at the mall the while time. I typically came back early and would walk around 10-15 minutes before pick up time. Never saw anything that was concerning.

Didn’t you guys go to the mall as kids??? You buy a snack, people watch, maybe buy some inexpensive accessories... lots of giggling... casually stroll through the food court a few times to see who you can find from school. Hold hands with a new boyfriend. Buy lip gloss at Sephora...

To the PP who’s worried about following, your kid can be followed whether you’re in the mall or not.

Anonymous wrote:Ok, stupid question: what do a bunch of 12 year olds even do at the mall? Sounds boring to me...

It’s just another place to hang out. We are a big hang out house. Rarely do we have a sleepover free weekend. We even have them on school nights. My freezer is filled with frozen pizzas and my pantry always has brownie mix. They love ping pong and the trampoline. But they also love hanging out someplace different. They rarely buy anything except maybe a bag of Cheetos to eat when they come back to the house.

They do like trying out make up samples too.

I’m really having trouble coming up with the reasons why this would not be allowed...

Yes, I would let my kid do this. Maybe I would do some shopping or sit in the food court. Maybe not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would say yes, but I would also be at the mall (obviously not with my kid though). Hard now on just dropping off a middle schooler and leaving though.

I'm the PP who said we drop off. I'm genuinely curious why the hard no on drop off? Is it some specific risk about the mall, or are you not in favor of leaving a tween anywhere when you are not there? I just want to understand he risk, if I am missing it.

I’m the poster who won’t drop off. It’s all about level of comfort. If you have never been followed you may not understand. I’ve been followed at the mall before. It’s not a risk I’m willing to take with my tween child right now. The way I feel about it is—you do you. I have no issue with other people dropping their kids at the mall. Right now mine won’t be left there without myself or DH also there (window shopping or whatever) while she hangs out with her friends.

Ok, stupid question: what do a bunch of 12 year olds even do at the mall? Sounds boring to me...

My kids have done this since 6th grade. I'd recommend you sit in the food court (or whatever) the first time or two. You will realize how tame it is, and your dc will have you nearby if necessary. Don't approach the group of kids (that would be embarrassing).

Generally, when my kids are are new circumstances, I tell them to text me once an hour just so I know they're fine. The practical advantage of this is that sometimes when they are with friends, they don't notice the phone dinging if I text them. So this way, I know they are getting messages from me at least at some specific time.

I would say make sure you are at the mall too and have some talks about things like shop lifting. The kids I know who have gotten in trouble for it and goody 2 shoes seeming all-star girls-good grades, athletic, well liked. Peer pressure is strong and the socially skilled kids know how to present one way to parents ans be totally different together.

Anonymous wrote:I would say yes, but I would also be at the mall (obviously not with my kid though). Hard now on just dropping off a middle schooler and leaving though.

I'm the PP who said we drop off. I'm genuinely curious why the hard no on drop off? Is it some specific risk about the mall, or are you not in favor of leaving a tween anywhere when you are not there? I just want to understand he risk, if I am missing it.

I think 7th grade is fine.

But FYI, I have seen middle schoolers hanging around on the upper parking lot near Nordstrom at Montgomery Mall.

I would say yes, but I would also be at the mall (obviously not with my kid though). Hard now on just dropping off a middle schooler and leaving though.

I also do not see any reason not to let her go. I'm confused about what the risk is? My seventh grader routinely hangs out at Montgomery Mall, without a parent there. We just drop off an pick up.

I would let her but I would go shopping and be at the mall too.

Is there a reason they can’t go during the day?

I would say yes. I don’t get why people are saying no? The mall and stores are all open right? What’s wrong with them walking around and hanging out as a group?