Anyone with a kid going on a senior trip? Help!!

[grinningghost]

Yes - my DD is going on a Senior Trip to Cleveland, OH. They're stopping in Erie, PA to go to Splash Lagoon and then on to Cleveland for the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, and Indians game and some shopping. I'm honestly not worried one bit.

 

[jjarman]

I have to add that I do trust my son. He is a good kid. Doesn't drink, do drugs, makes good grades, goes to church, etc. He really wants to do this and wants to stretch his wings. Honestly, I am not worried about the sex part. I know the girls going. They are good kids too. It is the drinking more than anything. I have made him promise no more than 2-3 drinks. He can't get into too much trouble that way. I want to keep him home but I know so many kids whose parents never let them do anything and they were so wild and so resentful.

 

[grinningghost]

I have to add that I do trust my son. He is a good kid. Doesn't drink, do drugs, makes good grades, goes to church, etc. He really wants to do this and wants to stretch his wings. Honestly, I am not worried about the sex part. I know the girls going. They are good kids too. It is the drinking more than anything. I have made him promise no more than 2-3 drinks. He can't get into too much trouble that way. I want to keep him home but I know so many kids whose parents never let them do anything and they were so wild and so resentful.

You are right on! My cousins (7 kids) grew up in the most dysfunctionally strict household you've ever seen - they weren't allowed to do anything, ever. They are now grown, but they are STILL a little wild, in their attempt to make up for lost time.

I, on the other hand, was pretty wild as a teen, and have since become the most boring person on earth.

 

[korbbec]

I have to add that I do trust my son. He is a good kid. Doesn't drink, do drugs, makes good grades, goes to church, etc. He really wants to do this and wants to stretch his wings. Honestly, I am not worried about the sex part. I know the girls going. They are good kids too. It is the drinking more than anything. I have made him promise no more than 2-3 drinks. He can't get into too much trouble that way. I want to keep him home but I know so many kids whose parents never let them do anything and they were so wild and so resentful.

Most adults don't have the common sense to stop after 2-3. You basically just gave him permission to drink. You should have told him no drinking, knowing that this is a time in his life where he will be testing boundaries.

 

[rie'smom]

Our son's class went to different places-a cruise or Cancun. We allowed him to go on the cruise. At least he was in a contained area. They all had a great time.

 

[Tink_Or_Belle]

I remember MY senior trip... I was 18 because my birthday is Feb and the trip was in May we went somewhere IN the states yet we had LOTS of drunken seniors my 2 room mates both lost something important and well our "chaperones" had a baby 9 months after we got home so they didn;t spend much time watching us I remember those of us who were 18 were so "proud" to be able to go into the "grown up bookstores" wow my dkids will not be going on senior trip nope nope nope

 

[ilovejack02]

I have to add that I do trust my son. He is a good kid. Doesn't drink, do drugs, makes good grades, goes to church, etc. He really wants to do this and wants to stretch his wings. Honestly, I am not worried about the sex part. I know the girls going. They are good kids too. It is the drinking more than anything. I have made him promise no more than 2-3 drinks. He can't get into too much trouble that way. I want to keep him home but I know so many kids whose parents never let them do anything and they were so wild and so resentful.

I honestly wouldnt be soo worried about some of that stuff, just worried about if something happens im too far away to do anything about it.
It is a foreign country, they have different laws and ways of handling people that break the law. Different health care system. If my kid was wanting to go to Florida, id say go for it, but for their first big trip away from home and parents why does it have to be out of the country. He will get over it if you say no or if you go. You said you prob wont let him go if parents dont go, why dont you be the parent that goes. No one says you have to stay with them.

 

[ilovejack02]

I remember MY senior trip... I was 18 because my birthday is Feb and the trip was in May we went somewhere IN the states yet we had LOTS of drunken seniors my 2 room mates both lost something important and well our "chaperones" had a baby 9 months after we got home so they didn;t spend much time watching us I remember those of us who were 18 were so "proud" to be able to go into the "grown up bookstores" wow my dkids will not be going on senior trip nope nope nope

LOL, they were 18 and it was legal. I remember going into one of those bookstores on my senior trip too

 

[AnnaS]

My son went last Easter to Italy (Rome, Florence and Venice). He was in an all boys Catholic High School (not that it would make much difference). Us parents were not allowed and I don't think they would want us there at this age. There were plenty of teachers (men/women) and principal (Monsignor). As much as I was very worried, I had to learn to let go some (okay a lot). He is my middle son. My older son tried to go a few years before that. They had all the deposits, etc. but then 9/11 happened and that spring all trips were obviously cancelled.


My older one is now 21 and going on his second (and last) spring break to Mexico. I called him every day. I barely spoke to him, but spoke to the room mates. he did not like it. I said, if you don't call me, I will call you. I hated it - but not much I could do. My middle one (19) is going to the Bahamas in June with about 7 friends. I hate it, but they are going and hopefully all will be fine. We all travel a lot and I hope they make smart decisions. It is scary.

My dd is getting ready this Sept. to go to an all girls Catholic school - I think this school allows parents to chaperone - maybe because she is a girl and my youngest - but guess what - I will be the first one on that plane (if she lets, me - just kidding).

All I can say to the parents that let them go - I know the feeling.

It's scary - very scary - we do not let them go happy.

 

[Kitty 34]

Instead of a senior trip like that we took our son on a cruise and plan on taking our youngest next year on a cruise, too.....as a family.

My boys did go on a "senior" trip but it was with their National Honor's society group which was heavily chaperoned and in the country! NYC, to be exact!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My dd went on an 8th grade trip to DC. This year she is going to Padre with her HS Band, she is in 10th.

 

[christineann]

Kitty 34

We went on a cruise as a family when my son graduated high school in 2003 and when my daughter graduated in 2006. It was actually their idea to go on a family trip, and my idea to go on a cruise. Neither one of my kids was interested in a senior trip, which was in their words "a week of watching my classmates get wasted and hook up in a 3rd world country". Let's face it - senior trips are usually to the Caribbean because drinking is legal there for these kids. We have plenty of beautiful beach resorts in the US.

FWIW, both of my kids have been to Europe - my son did a semester abroad in Germany during his freshman year of college, and my daughter went to Rome on a school trip in 10th grade. They were safer there than they would have been on a senior trip.

The company that pitched the senior trip described it as a real great deal - all liquor (and food) included. What a great selling point for the parents of a bunch of 17-18 year olds.

 

[Saphire]

I am a huge believer in travel. I also think it is great for kids to see the world. But,the problem here is two-fold, IMO. A group of many teens traveling together is a recipe for disaster. In the Bahama's, there is not much sight-seeing to do, KWIM? MY DS went there in college and it was just as you would think it would be. Crazy. He had all the info and web site and chaperones and all of that. It was still crazy. I would never send my high school senior on a Bahama's senior trip...never. He is just young enough that you still have veto power. Good Luck.

 

[SandiH]

All I have to say is Natalie Holloway.

I wouldn't let any future children of mine go on a trip like that.

Exactly my thoughts.