A mum has sparked a fierce debate after asking parents whether or not her 11-year-old son is too young to travel alone on a train, with only a younger child for a companion.
The parent explained she's trying to work out the logistics of a plan - and if it goes ahead, the pair will travel alone without an adult.
However, she was keen to stress the kids would be supervised by grown-ups at either end of the journey.
In the controversial post to Mumsnet, she questioned if she was being unreasonable "to think 11 is not too young to travel on a train alone".
"Please settle a debate! Happy to hear all opinions," she wrote, introducing her conundrum.
"Is 11 years old, starting year seven in September, too young to take a one hour train journey, without parents but with a slightly younger child?" the mum asked. "Put on at one end by an adult and met at the other end by an adult, with a phone and data, and train staff informed? No behavioural problems or SEN."
But several commenters felt they could not fairly answer the question with the information given.
"More context needed I think. Responsible for younger child - no. Ok to do journey on own - not used to train, few other passengers, few stops, unfamiliar journey - probably not quite yet - too vulnerable to deal with weirdos. Train to school full of other kids on the same journey with lots of stops - should be fine," read one reply.
Echoing a similar sentiment, someone else said: "An 11 year old should not be responsible for a younger child on a train."
A third wrote: "Most 11 year olds this would be fine, loads of children where I live do this at younger. Looking after another child, not sure about this at all."
Meanwhile, a different person commented: "How old is the younger child - do you mean two 11-year-olds getting the train together? 11 and 10 I'd think they'd be OK. 11 and 6 no I wouldn't."
The mum responded: "Do you think that an 11 year old is safer alone than with a younger child? Other child only one year younger," which in turn prompted further debate.
"Are the two kids likely to argue? Having an 11 year old responsible for a 10 year old is not ok," one parent thought. Another advised: "11 and 10 I'd tell them to stick together and be responsible for each other. Not having all the responsibility on the 11 year old's shoulders."
Who do you agree with? Let us know in the comments below
