For parents that let their children travel

[bresamil]

What is the longest you've let your child travel with another family?

My fifteen year old has the opportunity to go with a close friend to the friend's grandparents for a month. The longest she's been away in the past is a week. I have no issues with the family or the destination, just the time. Doesn't a month seem too long? I don't want to hold her back from new experiences.

 

[kwillia]

What is the longest you've let your child travel with another family?

My fifteen year old has the opportunity to go with a close friend to the friend's grandparents for a month. The longest she's been away in the past is a week. I have no issues with the family or the destination, just the time. Doesn't a month seem too long? I don't want to hold her back from new experiences.

If you are completely comfortable with where she'll be and who she'll be with and she is happy to go... then most certainly let her go!

 

[robstac]

Parenting isn't easy ...

I too would be squeamish; however, this is an opportunity to give some independence with still supervision. Make sure you have the paperwork completed that allows the family to have her treated if there is an non-life threating emergency; such as a broken arm, or cut requiring stitches. Otherwise she will remain in an ER untreated until you get there. Been there and unfortunately lived it.

 

[Larry Gude]

No worries. Some of life's great...experiences...and adventures happen to 15 year olds away from home over the summer.

 

[vraiblonde]

If you know and trust the family, it should be no biggie. BUT! The problem will come when your daughter doesn't necessarily get homesick, but gets sick of her friend and hosts. No matter how great they are, they will get on her nerves after awhile.

Also, ER will indeed treat your child without a written consent form as long as they get verbal from you over the phone. My daughter had an appendectomy when she was visiting my folks in Nebraska. It didn't occur to me to send a POA or anything like that, but they called me and got my consent to perform the surgery, then I signed a bunch of stuff and worked out the insurance when I got there later that night.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

What is the longest you've let your child travel with another family?

My fifteen year old has the opportunity to go with a close friend to the friend's grandparents for a month. The longest she's been away in the past is a week. I have no issues with the family or the destination, just the time. Doesn't a month seem too long? I don't want to hold her back from new experiences.

I don't have kids of my own; but my Brother is letting my 13 year old Nephew fly here from Nashville next week by himself. Can't imagine how Brother feels about it; but it will be a good "big boy" experience for the young lad.
He's pretty grown up for 13 because he kinda had to.

BTW, what is there to do around here for 13 yr. olds anymore?

 

[bresamil]

I always do the medical forms, etc. Its an 8 hr drive minimum and to be honest the to/from worries me more for medical reasons (possible accidents) than the month there.

As Vrai mentioned I am a little concerned they'll get sick of each other in a month with no other friends around. Girls can find reasons to have a tiff. I wouldn't be able to go get her if she wanted to come home.

 

[Nickel]

I always do the medical forms, etc. Its an 8 hr drive minimum and to be honest the to/from worries me more for medical reasons (possible accidents) than the month there.

As Vrai mentioned I am a little concerned they'll get sick of each other in a month with no other friends around. Girls can find reasons to have a tiff. I wouldn't be able to go get her if she wanted to come home.

If you know the family well and trust that she'll be okay I would let her go. She and her friend will get sick of each other, but they'll get over it and be fine. I used to spend a few weeks with my BFF at her grandmother's house (just in Cobb Island so not far away at all) and we'd have little spats every once in awhile but they never lasted long. We would also take each other on family vacations (~ a week at a time) and again, we'd get sick of each other around day 5 or 6 but quickly got over it.

Since my kid is an only child and his only cousin is 1.5 years old, we anticipate allowing him to bring a friend on summer vacations within the next year or so. I think trust between parents is the biggie.

 

[glhs837]

I don't have kids of my own; but my Brother is letting my 13 year old Nephew fly here from Nashville next week by himself. Can't imagine how Brother feels about it; but it will be a good "big boy" experience for the young lad.
He's pretty grown up for 13 because he kinda had to.

BTW, what is there to do around here for 13 yr. olds anymore?

Depends on the boys interests. Outdoors? More of an inside sort of kid? How long is he here for. CSMD has some cool summer programs.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Depends on the boys interests. Outdoors? More of an inside sort of kid? How long is he here for. CSMD has some cool summer programs.

I guess I shoulda been a little more forthcoming.
Chris is only gonna be here for a week; last I heard; don't know if that's still true.
Now that I think about it, M&D plan on taking him to K.D. or B.G.; taking him swimming; that kid takes to water like a fish, like me; and just for something to do at home; Dad is getting my old mini bike running again; something Chris has never done; ridden a mini bike.

 

[luvmygdaughters]

What is the longest you've let your child travel with another family?

My fifteen year old has the opportunity to go with a close friend to the friend's grandparents for a month. The longest she's been away in the past is a week. I have no issues with the family or the destination, just the time. Doesn't a month seem too long? I don't want to hold her back from new experiences.

Oh thats a tough one. I would let her go. Does she have a cell? If so, it may be easier when she gets homesick, and trust me, she will, to call you for reassurance. Its also a great way to teach them responsibility and independence without too much freedom. It will probably be harder on you than her. LOL

 

[kwillia]

She will most likely get homesick but it's great that she will have to stick it out. Look at the bright side, Bre... she will be leaving a 15 year old who believes she is ready to spread her wings and leave momma's nest and get away from the tedious chores and siblings. However, she will most likely return that much closer to the age of 16 and with a newfound reality check that life at home is not that bad and she really does still need momma as well as her brothers.

16 is really when teen girls get full of themselves and think they are 'grown'... you both will benefit from her going away long enough to miss you.

 

[lovinmaryland]

Man I wish someone would take one of my teens for a month

 

[bresamil]

Oh thats a tough one. I would let her go. Does she have a cell? If so, it may be easier when she gets homesick, and trust me, she will, to call you for reassurance. Its also a great way to teach them responsibility and independence without too much freedom. It will probably be harder on you than her. LOL

No cell. Can't afford it right now. TracFone is not an option for her because she'd destroy 400 minutes just texting on the ride there.

I've told her that she gets to make the choice. Now she thinks we want to get rid of her and she'll be missing something here.

Oh well, she has a week to decide. Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[glhs837]

I guess I shoulda been a little more forthcoming.
Chris is only gonna be here for a week; last I heard; don't know if that's still true.
Now that I think about it, M&D plan on taking him to K.D. or B.G.; taking him swimming; that kid takes to water like a fish, like me; and just for something to do at home; Dad is getting my old mini bike running again; something Chris has never done; ridden a mini bike.

I know a lot of folks dont believe in helmets for minibikes, but I do. If you need to borrow one, let me know.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

I know a lot of folks dont believe in helmets for minibikes, but I do. If you need to borrow one, let me know.

Thanks G. I wore a helmet when I rode it; and not just because it's common sense.
I had a motorcycle helmet when I was about his age; when Dad had his bike.
Fits Nephew's head just right.

 

[Cheeky1]

I always do the medical forms, etc. Its an 8 hr drive minimum and to be honest the to/from worries me more for medical reasons (possible accidents) than the month there.

As Vrai mentioned I am a little concerned they'll get sick of each other in a month with no other friends around. Girls can find reasons to have a tiff. I wouldn't be able to go get her if she wanted to come home.

You know....this sounds a lot like how real family operates. After a while, I got sick of my brothers....and I didn't have to find any reasons either. They would give me the reasons!

...of course, then, we'd all get over it and get back to beating the sh!t out of each other