Under 16 years old staying in Motorhome overnight on their own

lindyloot

lindyloot

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Can anyone tell me if it is legal for a 10 year old and a 16 year old ,are allowed to overnight in a motorhome on their own ( both girls). My daughter has told me that they have to sleep in the motorhome. They are spending Christmas with their dad at his girlfriends parents house
 
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unless things have changed???

The 16yrs old is in charge of the 10yr.old. The 16yr old is beyond the age where, in these circs., the Childrens Act comes into play.

In the circs. given above and the 10yr. old is not exposed to danger then I would suggest
that sleeping in a van would not be illegal.
 
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Emmit said:
unless things have changed???

The 16yrs old is in charge of the 10yr.old. The 16yr old is beyond the age where, in these circs., the Childrens Act comes into play.

In the circs. given above and the 10yr. old is not exposed to danger then I would suggest
that sleeping in a van would not be illegal.
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Maybe not illegal, but is it safe?
Has the gas heating ( if used ) been checked?
Are the electrics on 240v safe, especially if using an electric fan heater?
Does the carbon monoxide alarm fully function, if intending to run any gas appliances?
Are the girls fully conversant with the van layout, especially in the dark if they should need to evacuate in an emergency?
Personally, whilst not illegal, I would not do it with my grandkids as I don't think it's a good idea.
But each to their own.
 
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The title is misleading as the 10 year old isn't on their own. But in any case it's perfectly legal as the minimum age is 13 to be classed as responsible.
Not that it's relevant unless the motorhome is somewhere other than the parents drive. It's no different to being in a bedroom IMHO.

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lindyloot said:
Can anyone tell me if it is legal for a 10 year old and a 16 year old ,are allowed to overnight in a motorhome on their own ( both girls). My daughter has told me that they have to sleep in the motorhome. They are spending Christmas with their dad at his girlfriends parents house
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My answer would be for the Father to stay in the motorhome with one of the girls and for the other to sleep in the house, on the couch if necessary.
 
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Captain Yoghurtpot said:
Maybe not illegal, but is it safe?
Has the gas heating ( if used ) been checked?
Are the electrics on 240v safe, especially if using an electric fan heater?
Does the carbon monoxide alarm fully function, if intending to run any gas appliances?
Are the girls fully conversant with the van layout, especially in the dark if they should need to evacuate in an emergency?
Personally, whilst not illegal, I would not do it with my grandkids as I don't think it's a good idea.
But each to their own.
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I totally agree I am not happy about it, neither are my grandchildren, first time their dad has had them for Christmas
 
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Minxy said:
My answer would be for the Father to stay in the motorhome with one of the girls and for the other to sleep in the house, on the couch if necessary.
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I dont think that will happen
 
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lindyloot said:
I totally agree I am not happy about it, neither are my grandchildren, first time their dad has had them for Christmas
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I suspected as much, it's absolutely disgusting that he's putting his 'comfort' above those of his children, perhaps he and his girlfriend should stay in the MH and the girls in the house?

If I was their mother I certainly wouldn't be happy about it as they'll be in a strange place with people they don't know and safety would be high on my list of concerns.

The 16 year old can easily say she doesn't want to go, not sure of the legal position regarding the 10 year old but I don't think she can be forced to go.

May be an idea to get your daughter to check out what she/the children can legally do to refuse to go with their father, he won't like it but unless the sleeping situation is resolved I suspect no-one is going to be happy.
 
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I wounld't worry about the kids, they are your kids you should know if you trust them, if they will enjoy it, and can rely on them to have fun AND be responsible, and everyone be trusted.

Its not illegal,

If they were mine they'd have my blessing if all the above is accounted for, and be told to enjoy it...,memories and all that.

if not put a stop to it
 
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Minxy said:
I suspected as much, it's absolutely disgusting that he's putting his 'comfort' above those of his children, perhaps he and his girlfriend should stay in the MH and the girls in the house?

If I was their mother I certainly wouldn't be happy about it as they'll be in a strange place with people they don't know and safety would be high on my list of concerns.

The 16 year old can easily say she doesn't want to go, not sure of the legal position regarding the 10 year old but I don't think she can be forced to go.

May be an idea to get your daughter to check out what she/the children can legally do to refuse to go with their father, he won't like it but unless the sleeping situation is resolved I suspect no-one is going to be happy.
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OTT

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I wouldn't do that as I loved creeping into their bedrooms to leave their pillow cases of presents and waking up to their excitement on Christmas morning with us all in the house together.
However, if they really wanted to I'd let them sleep out there but with the cold and the isolation I suspect they'd not want to do it again.
On balance I'd rather they slept on the m/home mattresses on the lounge floor.
 
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Minxy said:
Not OTT at all if there are genuine concerns about the welfare of the kids, that is what is paramount here, not the mother or father's wishes.
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Still massively, OTT your reading into a situation that has zero bearing on the posters question. What ifs? has nothing to do with it. IF they dont want to go, don't! Their choice. It's legal. I'd still put them in the cellar though, just in case they damage the van :giggle:

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My daughter is not at all happy that her girls are expected to sleep out there. She may well say something to him .The eldest granddaughter feels like she is a dog being put out at night. She wont say anything to her dad as she adores him ( despite all that went on )
 
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Peter and Julie said:
Still massively, OTT your reading into a situation that has zero bearing on the posters question. What ifs? has nothing to do with it. IF they dont want to go, don't! Their choice. It's legal. I'd still put them in the cellar though, just in case they damage the van :giggle:
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I'm sorry, but I think that is a very inappropriate comment about the cellar, even if in jest.
Just my opinion though, thanks.
 
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lindyloot said:
My daughter is not at all happy that her girls are expected to sleep out there
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If she was my daughter I'd expect her to voice her concerns...but family issues can be complex of course.

But then again..if they were sleeping in a new Morelo...that changes things.. :ROFLMAO:
 
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lindyloot said:
I totally agree I am not happy about it, neither are my grandchildren, first time their dad has had them for Christmas
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I think it makes a difference if the girls themselves are not happy about it. So I suggest the elder one has a chat with Dad and maybe they can work something out. The last thing you want to do is introduce tension into what already seems a difficult situation.
 
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lindyloot said:
The eldest granddaughter feels like she is a dog being put out at night. She wont say anything to her dad as she adores him ( despite all that went on )
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It’s a good thing that she adores him and so she may accept the situation. A lot depends on the location outside the house but I think Dad sleeping with them is a good way forward.
The last thing to do is create a bad feeling that carries on Christmas after Christmas and so the girls feel torn between Mum and Dad.
 
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there seems to be little comment re trusting the father to make decisions that he is entitled to make as a father? if of course experience has shown that he is irresponsible when it comes to looking after his children, then i understand the concerns raised, i wonder if people would had the same concerns if the children were staying at their mothers?

as grandparents ourselves, i understand the OP's concern but the reality is and i hate to say it, its the responsibility of the parents, specifically the one who has custody, unless its joint custody and in which case it is the responsibility of which parent has them at the time.

if i were overly concerned, i would be promoting the idea of visiting my grandchildren on Christmas Day to see them, give them their presents and enjoy the Christian celebration with them. if only for a short period, just to put your mind at rest.
 
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