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Quote: Originally posted by pickledegg69 on 07/8/2007

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my 6 year old bought a lad back from the playground to play in our tent, but the lad hovered at the door, I told him he could come in, but he said his parents didn't let him go in other peoples tents, I wasn't sure if he meant that he wasn't allowed to wander in willy nilly, or even with an invite in he wasn't allowed, so I asked him and he wasn't sure himself !! A note to all parents (including myself), must make yourself absolutely clear when giving instructions to kids.

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Well, there`s two reasons I don`t let my kids go into other folks tents. Firstly I don`t want them making pests of themselves, so if they were invited AND cleared it with me AND I had met the parents in question, well, I might think about it then.

The other reason is because, just like going into strangers houses and getting into stangers cars, I`ve taught my kids NEVER to go into small private places with strangers, ESPECIALLY if invited. Sure, perverts are rare, but  of course, it`s always a bit difficult explaining to a five year old all the possible exceptions to the rule and why. So it`s easier to just say no, no exceptions.

Sad world we live in, no? I have to say though that now my lad is nearly 11, he understands a lot more about the whys and whens. So he gets a lot more freedom and is occasionally in situations where he has to use his own judgement on what to do. But he`s still not allowed to go into a strangers tent without asking me first.

 

I have already posted a reply to this thread in the camp site section and basically i agree totally with Valk-Scot.