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Post by mom on Jan 29, 2023 18:20:19 GMT
My DD (13 yo) was sent an invitation to a birthday party scavenger ghost hunt in downtown Denver beginning at the Denver Central Library, drop off at 4:30 today. The hunt involves walking about downtown Denver to the Capitol to Molly Brown House and other places over a 2 hour period, 2.5 miles walking distance. Would this be an appropriate avenue for a 13 yo birthday party? Several libraries, which I think this one, have been shut down for drug abuse found in the libraries. Also just saw on the news a protest rally happened at the Capitol. We declined the invite, but I can't comprehend why would you have a birthday party like this? Am I nuts? The invite, not addressed to me, but sent to my DD via text- dropoff at 4:30 and XXX's parents will be there. My DD didn't understand that the parents should have sent me an invite to discuss this. Why? There's nothing to discuss....your daughter was invited and she can go or not. If YOU have questions, then you should call them. But the invite gave the time, date and place and included what they would be doing and that parents will be there. Also, the Denver Central Library is closed...but for construction and renovations for only two weeks.
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pinklady
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Post by pinklady on Jan 29, 2023 18:26:01 GMT
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Post by myshelly on Jan 29, 2023 18:26:32 GMT
But but dark! Ghosts! Big city! Bad!
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Just T
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Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Jan 29, 2023 18:38:13 GMT
So would those of you giving shit to the OP be okay with your 13 year old walking around downtown Denver, or any big city, at night, in the cold?
Because I sure wouldn't. I probably would have called and asked if each scavenger hunt group would have an adult with them before I didn't let my child go. I can't imagine who would think a group of possibly unsupervised middle schoolers walking around for two hours at night in the middle of a big city is okay.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 29, 2023 18:41:55 GMT
What does Covid have to do with any of this?
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pinklady
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Post by pinklady on Jan 29, 2023 18:42:54 GMT
So would those of you giving shit to the OP be okay with your 13 year old walking around downtown Denver, or any big city, at night, in the cold? Because I sure wouldn't. I probably would have called and asked if each scavenger hunt group would have an adult with them before I didn't let my child go. I can't imagine who would think a group of possibly unsupervised middle schoolers walking around for two hours at night in the middle of a big city is okay. Go to the link. This isn’t a bunch of 13 yr olds running the street.
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Post by myshelly on Jan 29, 2023 18:44:39 GMT
So would those of you giving shit to the OP be okay with your 13 year old walking around downtown Denver, or any big city, at night, in the cold? Because I sure wouldn't. . On an organized tour with adults? Yes of course I would. The peas are sounding like crazy country yokels afraid of the big, bad city. And now we’re also afraid of the cold?
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Post by mom on Jan 29, 2023 18:48:36 GMT
So would those of you giving shit to the OP be okay with your 13 year old walking around downtown Denver, or any big city, at night, in the cold? Because I sure wouldn't. I probably would have called and asked if each scavenger hunt group would have an adult with them before I didn't let my child go. I can't imagine who would think a group of possibly unsupervised middle schoolers walking around for two hours at night in the middle of a big city is okay. But they were going to be supervised, per the text. The parents would be there. And it's not 'at night'. It's at 4:30 on a Sunday. The sun sets at 5:20 (per the almanac) in Denver. It's not going to be dark at 4:30. At most, it will be 'dark' when the party is over. So yeah. I'd let my kid go, assuming I knew the parents (which is a caveat for any party my kid is going to, not just scary ones).
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Just T
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Post by Just T on Jan 29, 2023 19:02:20 GMT
But from what the OP said, it's not clear that the kids will be supervised. When my kids have been a part of scavenger hunts like this, they were split into small groups to go out and look for things. I would not be okay with a group of kids alone. Just because they parents will be there, doesn't mean they will all be supervised. What if there are 5 groups of kids, and one set of parents?
If it is one group of kids, and one set of parents, that is different. Maybe the scavenger hunt is different than what my kids have taken part it, when the goal was to see who could make it back to the beginning having found all of the things on the list first. That's why I said I would call and clarify before I told my kid no. I would definitely be okay with it if all the kids are supervised. I would not be okay with a group of 13 year olds walking around a city, even for an hour in the dark, unsupervised.
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Post by myshelly on Jan 29, 2023 19:06:43 GMT
But from what the OP said, it's not clear that the kids will be supervised. When my kids have been a part of scavenger hunts like this, they were split into small groups to go out and look for things. I would not be okay with a group of kids alone. Just because they parents will be there, doesn't mean they will all be supervised. What if there are 5 groups of kids, and one set of parents? If it is one group of kids, and one set of parents, that is different. Maybe the scavenger hunt is different than what my kids have taken part it, when the goal was to see who could make it back to the beginning having found all of the things on the list first. That's why I said I would call and clarify before I told my kid no. I would definitely be okay with it if all the kids are supervised. I would not be okay with a group of 13 year olds walking around a city, even for an hour in the dark, unsupervised. The whole point is that OP has no idea because she didn’t ask and just assumed. She clutched her pearls, said no, and posted here instead of just asking questions. So, yea, she deserves to be given a little shit because she’s being hysterical, dramatic, and unrealistic. And wanting the invitation sent to her because actual teenagers can’t make plans apparently is laughable.
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Post by myshelly on Jan 29, 2023 19:09:29 GMT
But from what the OP said, it's not clear that the kids will be supervised. When my kids have been a part of scavenger hunts like this, they were split into small groups to go out and look for things. I would not be okay with a group of kids alone. Just because they parents will be there, doesn't mean they will all be supervised. What if there are 5 groups of kids, and one set of parents? If it is one group of kids, and one set of parents, that is different. Maybe the scavenger hunt is different than what my kids have taken part it, when the goal was to see who could make it back to the beginning having found all of the things on the list first. That's why I said I would call and clarify before I told my kid no. I would definitely be okay with it if all the kids are supervised. I would not be okay with a group of 13 year olds walking around a city, even for an hour in the dark, unsupervised. I’m the mom of a 13 yo currently. The way the OP reacted is 100% the exact opposite of the way I would have reacted. And I can’t get over your “and in the cold” comment 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 If only humans had invented some sort of portable thing we could put on to keep us warm when we go outside, like, oh I don’t know…a coat? My kids went to an Amazing Race birthday party in downtown Dallas. They split up in teams of 2 (just like on the show) and had to navigate using a map to get to different spots and complete road blocks and detours. It was awesome. But it was hot instead of cold because Texas, so I guess that makes it less scary for the snowflakes? I don’t know.
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samantha25
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Post by samantha25 on Jan 29, 2023 19:20:40 GMT
A group of 15 kids with 2 parents. Not sure about how much supervision 2 parents could do with the groups.
As an aside, I dropped my DD at their house for trick or treating and the father said he would walk with them as they were going to go across a busy intersection into a different neighborhood. He did not and kids were unsupervised, so not trusting their word on their ability to supervise.
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Post by mom on Jan 29, 2023 19:23:13 GMT
But from what the OP said, it's not clear that the kids will be supervised. When my kids have been a part of scavenger hunts like this, they were split into small groups to go out and look for things. I would not be okay with a group of kids alone. Just because they parents will be there, doesn't mean they will all be supervised. What if there are 5 groups of kids, and one set of parents? If it is one group of kids, and one set of parents, that is different. Maybe the scavenger hunt is different than what my kids have taken part it, when the goal was to see who could make it back to the beginning having found all of the things on the list first. That's why I said I would call and clarify before I told my kid no. I would definitely be okay with it if all the kids are supervised. I would not be okay with a group of 13 year olds walking around a city, even for an hour in the dark, unsupervised. The whole point is that OP has no idea because she didn’t ask and just assumed.
She clutched her pearls, said no, and posted here instead of just asking questions. So, yea, she deserves to be given a little shit because she’s being hysterical, dramatic, and unrealistic. And wanting the invitation sent to her because actual teenagers can’t make plans apparently is laughable. 1000% this.
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Post by mom on Jan 29, 2023 19:25:54 GMT
A group of 15 kids with 2 parents. Not sure about how much supervision 2 parents could do with the groups. As an aside, I dropped my DD at their house for trick or treating and the father said he would walk with them as they were going to go across a busy intersection into a different neighborhood. He did not and kids were unsupervised, so not trusting their word on their ability to supervise. Ahh ok. We're at the point of the thread where 'extra' information is being included to now support the OP and make us look like we are crazy ones for not agreeing. Im out. The OP wasn't interested in other thoughts and comments about the party. She wanted us to agree with her.
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maryannscraps
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Post by maryannscraps on Jan 29, 2023 19:30:39 GMT
I would have called and checked on the level of supervision. If it sounded good enough for me, I’d have let her go. If not, I’d say no. I don’t understand all the drama.
But I used to drop DS off at the farthest out subway station a couple times a week so he could go into Boston for his music lessons when he was in 8th grade. I never went with him.
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Just T
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Post by Just T on Jan 29, 2023 19:31:23 GMT
And I can’t get over your “and in the cold” comment 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 If only humans had invented some sort of portable thing we could put on to keep us warm when we go outside, like, oh I don’t know…a coat? It was more about a group of middle schoolers, who aren't always the brightest when it comes to dressing warmly, walking around a city, in the dark and cold, unsupervised. You have boys. Are you saying they always wear appropriate clothing for outwear in the winter? Because mine and every other teenager I have known, especially boys, would willing go to school and wait at the bus stop wearing shorts and flip flops on a snowy day. LOL
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Post by myshelly on Jan 29, 2023 19:31:42 GMT
A group of 15 kids with 2 parents. Not sure about how much supervision 2 parents could do with the groups. As an aside, I dropped my DD at their house for trick or treating and the father said he would walk with them as they were going to go across a busy intersection into a different neighborhood. He did not and kids were unsupervised, so not trusting their word on their ability to supervise. Ahh ok. We're at the point of the thread where 'extra' information is being included to now support the OP and make us look like we are crazy ones for not agreeing. Im out. The OP wasn't interested in other thoughts and comments about the party. She wanted us to agree with her. And the extra info is panic at TEENAGERS not being supervised trick or treating. The HORROR! They had to cross a street!
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Post by myshelly on Jan 29, 2023 19:32:37 GMT
And I can’t get over your “and in the cold” comment 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 If only humans had invented some sort of portable thing we could put on to keep us warm when we go outside, like, oh I don’t know…a coat? It was more about a group of middle schoolers, who aren't always the brightest when it comes to dressing warmly, walking around a city, in the dark and cold, unsupervised. You have boys. Are you saying they always wear appropriate clothing for outwear in the winter? Because mine and every other teenager I have known, especially boys, would willing go to school and wait at the bus stop wearing shorts and flip flops on a snowy day. LOL In the dark at 4:30? Unsupervised with the parents there?
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Just T
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Post by Just T on Jan 29, 2023 19:33:00 GMT
But it was hot instead of cold because Texas, so I guess that makes it less scary for the snowflakes? I don’t know. Good lord. Why do you always have to be such a bitch? For the record, I am far from a snowflake. I'm out too. I simply gave my opinion on a group of 13 year olds possibly walking around a city that isn't known to be the safest at night in the cold unsupervised. Doesn't make me a snowflake.
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maryannscraps
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Post by maryannscraps on Jan 29, 2023 19:34:11 GMT
And I can’t get over your “and in the cold” comment 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 If only humans had invented some sort of portable thing we could put on to keep us warm when we go outside, like, oh I don’t know…a coat? It was more about a group of middle schoolers, who aren't always the brightest when it comes to dressing warmly, walking around a city, in the dark and cold, unsupervised. You have boys. Are you saying they always wear appropriate clothing for outwear in the winter? Because mine and every other teenager I have known, especially boys, would willing go to school and wait at the bus stop wearing shorts and flip flops on a snowy day. LOL Lol. I know those kids. My kids found out early on that they needed to be responsible for their under dressing. It only took once or twice and they were wise to the weather.
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samantha25
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Post by samantha25 on Jan 29, 2023 19:36:56 GMT
A group of 15 kids with 2 parents. Not sure about how much supervision 2 parents could do with the groups. As an aside, I dropped my DD at their house for trick or treating and the father said he would walk with them as they were going to go across a busy intersection into a different neighborhood. He did not and kids were unsupervised, so not trusting their word on their ability to supervise. Ahh ok. We're at the point of the thread where 'extra' information is being included to now support the OP and make us look like we are crazy ones for not agreeing. Im out. The OP wasn't interested in other thoughts and comments about the party. She wanted us to agree with her. Not true. I am reading your comments and realize, yeah, maybe too pearl clutching.
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Post by mom on Jan 29, 2023 19:38:46 GMT
It was more about a group of middle schoolers, who aren't always the brightest when it comes to dressing warmly, walking around a city, in the dark and cold, unsupervised. You have boys. Are you saying they always wear appropriate clothing for outwear in the winter? Because mine and every other teenager I have known, especially boys, would willing go to school and wait at the bus stop wearing shorts and flip flops on a snowy day. LOL Lol. I know those kids. My kids found out early on that they needed to be responsible for their under dressing. It only took once or twice and they were wise to the weather. Yep. Natural consequences.
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samantha25
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Post by samantha25 on Jan 29, 2023 19:39:30 GMT
Ahh ok. We're at the point of the thread where 'extra' information is being included to now support the OP and make us look like we are crazy ones for not agreeing. Im out. The OP wasn't interested in other thoughts and comments about the party. She wanted us to agree with her. And the extra info is panic at TEENAGERS not being supervised trick or treating. The HORROR! They had to cross a street! Because the parent said he would supervise and did not. That was the main reason for dropping my kid off to make sure they were safe
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Post by epeanymous on Jan 29, 2023 19:43:57 GMT
Honestly as the parent of two twelve-year-olds (and two older kids who obviously have been that age) who lives in the middle of a similar city, I think you are overreacting. One, kids that age of course are going to get the invites directly. Two, because these are kids, of course you are going to be aware of the party, because 13-year-olds aren't going to do something like this without talking it over with parents. Three, if you don't think an event is appropriate for your kid, you can say no--parents are going to have different ideas about what is fine, and having different ideas is also fine. Four, you don't seem to know exactly what the party entailed in the first place, so you really don't know the logistics--we have ghost tours here and they are organized, tour-guided events.
You don't seem to want to hear this, which is fine, but your posts really do come across as "scary bad city"; that is IMO why you are getting pushback. As someone raising her kids in the city and who lets her kids of a similar age walk around and take the bus, not every parent is going to see things the same way you do.
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pinklady
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Post by pinklady on Jan 29, 2023 20:01:51 GMT
A group of 15 kids with 2 parents. Not sure about how much supervision 2 parents could do with the groups. As an aside, I dropped my DD at their house for trick or treating and the father said he would walk with them as they were going to go across a busy intersection into a different neighborhood. He did not and kids were unsupervised, so not trusting their word on their ability to supervise. In 2022, 7th/8th graders need a parent to help them cross the street?
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samantha25
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Post by samantha25 on Jan 29, 2023 20:04:32 GMT
Well, Denver is ranked #3 for homelessness.
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samantha25
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Post by samantha25 on Jan 29, 2023 20:06:20 GMT
A group of 15 kids with 2 parents. Not sure about how much supervision 2 parents could do with the groups. As an aside, I dropped my DD at their house for trick or treating and the father said he would walk with them as they were going to go across a busy intersection into a different neighborhood. He did not and kids were unsupervised, so not trusting their word on their ability to supervise. In 2022, 7th/8th graders need a parent to help them cross the street? depends on the street and point was that the parent said he was supervising and did not.
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Post by myshelly on Jan 29, 2023 20:18:57 GMT
And I can’t get over your “and in the cold” comment 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 If only humans had invented some sort of portable thing we could put on to keep us warm when we go outside, like, oh I don’t know…a coat? It was more about a group of middle schoolers, who aren't always the brightest when it comes to dressing warmly, walking around a city, in the dark and cold, unsupervised. You have boys. Are you saying they always wear appropriate clothing for outwear in the winter? Because mine and every other teenager I have known, especially boys, would willing go to school and wait at the bus stop wearing shorts and flip flops on a snowy day. LOL If they choose not to wear a coat, the consequence is they’re cold. If they’re cold, then…they’re cold? So what? I just don’t get why this is supposed to be a big dramatic point for you.
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snyder
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Post by snyder on Jan 29, 2023 20:21:34 GMT
It is obvious the op was not real clear in her post of her concerns with this invite, but I saw that she had immediate panic because of the area her child was to be dropped off because I know the area as she sees it.
Give her a break.
I'm a native to Colorado and very familiar with the Denver downtown area. I'd have to do a lot of googling to provide examples of the "stuff" that goes on around the capital and don't have much time for that this morning, but murders for one. The area is filthy as well due to the huge homeless population. Feces, trash, liquor bottles strewn everywhere. I would not want to walk in or around it in the least. Gives me the hibby gibbies thinking about it. Gross! They have run the homeless out of there a few times, but they always return. A couple of years ago, I needed to pick my son up at a place near there. No matter what I did, I kept going in circles and was missing this place/street. GPS was of no help. On my 4th time around, I was stopped at a light, and several people were sitting on the curb, so I rolled down my window and asked if they new where X was. One pointed down the street and said to the right. Okay, so I paid attention to the right. Still could not find it, so here I'm stopped at that light again. The person that told me to the right, jumped up and started banging on my window yelling, let me in, I will show you for $10. Scared the shit out ot me. As the light turned green and I started to drive, he is still banging on my car yelling ten dollars, ten dollars. Thank God my son was standing on the curb down the street. He had came out of the place to see if he could see me as he was wondering why it was taking me so long. The address was incorrect. But as my 40 year old son got in the car, I told him what happened and he said you would not find him walking down these streets alone.
I realize all cities have their issues, but this is a very rough area and I can totally understand why op panicked.
Someone posted the link to the company that does the tours, but it is only information and an app on the phone, not something that they have employees lead.
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Post by epeanymous on Jan 29, 2023 20:33:36 GMT
Well, Denver is ranked #3 for homelessness. As I was saying. I mean, honestly, it takes a lot to get me to snark at someone else on here, but while you are definitely welcome to make your own decisions about what you are comfortable having your own child do, the fact that there are homeless people in a city (and mine has a higher rate than yours) does not mean that it is weird that people have kids in said city or take them out of the house in it.
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