A weird dilemma....

[la79al]

okay, here's the whole story. My sister, age 18, is going to Florida in 37 days. Between her, my mother and the relatives in Florida, my sister was under the impression that she would be staying with and hanging out with our aunt and cousin who live down there. Well she called me the other day almost in tears and asked if I wanted to go to Florida with her. It turns out that neither aunt or cousin took any time off work for the week my sister will be there so she will be hanging out at their house waiting to do things when they get home. She hadn't planned on even renting a car and may not even be able to (no credit cards in her name, etc). I had talked to her a few days earlier and she was so excited about her trip. Now she doesn't even want to go. I was seriously considering going down, even for a couple of days, since fares are so low. Then last night I was in a minor car accident and am now looking at repairing $300+ of car damage. Plus we are leaving next Saturday for a week at the beach. This is my baby sister and I desperately want to see her enjoy her trip but I just don't know how much of a priority I should make it to try to join her. Any help anyone?

 

[2nd childhood]

Hi. I'm sorry that they didn't even ask off at least a day or two. It is Florida so maybe she can find other things to do during the day. Does your aunt live near a beach? Shopping mall? Maybe she could take a cab one morning or if close she could walk. Would your aunt mind if she invited a friend to go with her? She could maybe lay out and work on her tan until they got off work.

 

[TheZeppo]

It's still 37 days away, they can't ask for time off now, even a couple of days?

 

[la79al]

They are both taking the week off before that to come up here. They actually live in Clearwater but my sister has been so sheltered that the idea of getting a taxi would probably terrify her.

 

[2nd childhood]

What about the asking a friend to come with her idea? Would your aunt go for that?

 

[la79al]

Aunt would probably not have a problem with that at all. I'm not sure if my sister has any friends that would be able to afford and be allowed to go the whole way to Florida with her though. I am trying to talk her into ideas of things to do but she almost broke my heart when one day she was so excited about going to this park and that park and doing this ride and that ride and then two days later she is saying she guesses she'll just go by herself. My next step may be to call my cousin and lay on a major guilt trip.

 

[2nd childhood]

I would then just call your cousin to at least make them aware of how she thought it was going to be. Even if they can't take but one day off and go to one of the parks with her that would be at least something. Maybe she should talk to your aunt to get permission and then try to see if maybe a friend would be able to go with her. The fact that she will be staying with family will help on the expenses and maybe make the friend's parents feel beter about letting her go with your sister for the week. There will be adults there so that's always a good selling point to bring up.

I know it must be hard to hear her disappointment when she talks about her upcoming trip now, but who knows it might turn out that she has the time of her life down there. Try to help her think of the positive fun stuff that she can do when they do get home from their work.

 

[disnut8]

Your sister would have difficulties renting a car anyway because of her age. Maybe your aunt could rent a car for her and have it there for your sister to use for the week. The rates would be much better with someone who is over 25 renting it.

 

[stm61]

I think you have to be over 21 to rent a car. They don't rent to 18 yr old's.

 

[gigi1313]

can you invite her to join you for your week at the beach instead?

 

[minkydog]

I know it must be hard to hear her disappointment when she talks about her upcoming trip now, but who knows it might turn out that she has the time of her life down there. Try to help her think of the positive fun stuff that she can do when they do get home from their work.

Ya now, this might be the perfect opportunity for her to stretch her wings a little. She has a safe place to stay; perhaps she can try taking a taxi to the mall--I'm sure your aunt could help her with it.

I never used public transportation until I was in my 40's(sad, isn't it?) byut when my DS, then 18, left home he very quickly had to figure it out for himself. He had led a pretty sheltered life and suddenly was on his own. He had to figure out bus schedules, how to call a taxi, how to find an airport, and once he was stranded at 12midnight in Indianapolis Greyhound station But he lived to tell the tale and is more mature for it. Now he feels prepared to travel and do new things.

Let your sister figure this out. Don't be too quick to jump in and fix this for her.