separating from teen - how much leeway?

[newholidayx2]

how much leeway do you give your teen (13) with their hanging out with you? Do you constantly have them by your side? would you leave them in the room while you go to the pool or for a walk? could they stay at an attraction while you go shopping nearby?
im not talking all day - maybe an hr or so

 

[dzneelvr]

Depends on the teen. My DS and DD were allowed to go TOGETHER and leave DH and I when they were 12 and 10, but they were at black-belt karate level at the time and had proven to be very responsible in other situations. Their separate time was for one hour and we'd meet up with them at an attraction, etc. Now of course that time has increased, but they're 17 and 15. What was really funny was last sumer's trip when they turned down offers to separate off from us and do their own thing. Seems they enjoy being with us

If you do let him go alone, make sure you have a meeting place and a time set to meet. I guess with cell phones you can always call him, but we put our cell phones away on holiday since we use them so much during our normal life.
WDW is probably one of the safer places to try this out, but only you can know if your teen is ready for it.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We let our 3 teen ds go to disney quest by themselves. Make sure you have a watch and cell phone or walkie talkie etc. for communication. It would depend on your sons maturity level. I went over our family rules, stick together, no leaving without all of them, no talking to strangers, I even gave them their room charge cards for food and they knew the limits, just food, no souveniers etc. Our first try on their own was letting them stay in the mk at night while we were at the Poly. We talked about what monorail to get on etc. They came back and oldest ds smiled and said to us, oh I feel so independent. If it is only your son I would make sure you stuck to one theme park or one resort etc. Send him for a snack etc. Be specific. Meet me by the tables at caseys corner at 9:40 etc.

 

[minijeanie]

funny you should ask, DH and I are just considering that for our June trip
kids are 14,15 and we are staying second 1/2 of trip at BWV...we are considering letting them go to mgm by themselves, while we stay at pool area.
DD has cell phone & for some reason I feel comfortable letting them go...
I am also wondering if this is wrong thinking on my part...kids have been to wdw 7 plus times so definitely know lay of land.....
we will meet up with them in 3 hours or so...

on one hand, feel they are responsible, on the other, they are still my babies

 

[TumFamily]

Great question because this just came up in my house. My DS wants to travel the parks with a few of his friends. Ages 13 - 15. I said NO WAY!! But, my DH thinks I am being overly protective. Help!!

 

[Renysmom]

Since I am past that age with my boys I can tell you that with both of mine at 13 and above they would have been free to roam but not by themselves,they would have to be with each other or friends that I knew and trusted and only until they blew a rule (late, doing something they were told not to etc.) but it really depends on the child(ren). You have to decide what is best for your child.

My mom always told me that what was okay for mine, may not be okay for anyone elses but to follow your instinct and not everyone elses thoughts. Basically she told me if you have to think about it then tbere are reasons to say no, figure out the reasons and then decide.

Get ready because this is just the first of many "letting go" decisions you have to make over the next 4-5 years.

 

[eeyore kelly]

Unless they were staying in the room or gameroom at the hotel, I don't know if I like the idea of a single young teen by themselves. I like the idea of 2 or more.

A little leeway for an hour with 2 or more young teens with a cell is what I would be comfortable with.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I agree that being alone is the problem. My DS is an only child but we have vacationed with my sister's family at WDW and she too has a 12 year old. We told them when they are 13 they can spend time alone in the same park we are in for a few hours at a time. They will have cell phones and must stay together. I will not let my 13 year old go off alone in the park, but would let him walk down to the gift shop or food court and right back, with a cell phone. I would leave him alone in the room for a short time if we were staying on site in a resort with inside hall ways. I might leave him alone for a meal in the same resort. I would for sure be fine with this if his cousin or other same age friend was with him. Our boys however have been to WDW enought times that they can get around pretty well. They are use to responsiblity and handle it well. WE can trust them to do as we ask.
It so depends on the child. DS has friends that age I would never trust alone in the parks or the room.
Start small and give a little freedom at a time.

Good luck,

Jordans' mom

 

[sunkissed212]

My parents used to let us kids go off on our own. I think I remember doing it when I was about 13 or 14. I had been to WDW tons of times so I knew my way around the parks and resorts very well so my parents felt comfortable with me and my friend going off on our own. We would have specific meeting times and places throughout the day but for the most part we were allowed to experience WDW on our own. It was tons of fun and I'm glad that they trusted me enough to let me do it.

 

[minkydog]

Unless they were staying in the room or gameroom at the hotel, I don't know if I like the idea of a single young teen by themselves. I like the idea of 2 or more.

A little leeway for an hour with 2 or more young teens with a cell is what I would be comfortable with.

I agree--a teen a lone is too much of a target for baddies. Just because it's Disney world doesn't mean it's completely safe. I would not feel comfortable dropping off my 13yo at a mall, a beach, or an airport alone and I wouldn't do it at WDW either.

 

[Flo_and_co]

We've just been discussing this very thing. When I come out to Orlando (from the UK) in October my two eldest sons will be 1) just turned 14 and 2) almost 16

They have announced in no uncertain terms that they don't want to "do" magic kingdom or Sea World this year - but I definitely want to take my youngest son (age 3 - first trip to Orlando) to both of those.

So the question is - do myself and hubby split up - and I go to MK with the toddler while he takes the teens to Islands of Adventure? or do we let the older 2 go to IoA on their own and we meet back at the hotel later.

I'm pretty sure I'm happy to go with the second option - our hotel is at the top of I-Drive so the boys can easily get up to Universal and back on the I-Ride trolley bus. And we'll have our cellphones with us, and they are pretty mature kids.

Hubby on the other hand is a little unsure (maybe because he remembers being a teenage boy??!!)

I think I'm going to have to play it by ear and see how I feel when we get there.

Flo