Would you let your 12 yo go to London? UPDATE p.1

[dumboiu]

nope

 

[Kitty 34]

I let my oldest DS go to Paris when he was 12. He went with a group of about 10 children and the principal of his school. They were in a student exchange program. My son lived with a student and his family for 3 weeks over there.

It was a fantastic experience for him even tho I missed him (and worried) a ton!!!

 

[Mimi Q]

Boy, there are some excellent arguments on both sides of this issue. We have three weeks to decide whether to let her go or not. She REALLY wants to go, and I know the 3 teachers who will be accompanying the students well. DD is an excellent student-right at the top of her class and a very sweet child- never gets into trouble at school. Also, she has over half of the money herself and said she would put that toward the trip. They will be on a private tour and supervised at all times.

As far as cancelling our WDW trip next year, the only reason I hesitate to do that is our 2 yo DD has been asking to go see Mickey almost every day since we got back from our last family trip- November 2003. DH's brother, sister, and their families are also planning on going when we do next year. I personally would love to go to London.

 

[Galahad]

Definitely let her go. What a great age to start those experiences. She'll get the "bug", I think because of her age, and it will give her a much larger view of the world. DS#2 is 14 and he will be going to Italy in the spring for 2 weeks with his Orchestra without us (I'm jealous..... ).

 

[TEENEE]

Yes I would. My 13 y/o son just came back from a similar trip. He was gone 19 days. He spent about 13 days in England and 6 in France. The teachers he went with were wonderful. The group had monthly meetings to prepare. The kids were fully aware of the strick rules they would have to follow. Everything was talked about before they left home. They were told how to act, dress and what the consequences would be if any rules were broken. It was a great experience for him.

Is it hard for a parent to send their child half way around the world? You bet it is. Would I do it again? You bet I would. He learned a lot and he matured (well some).

As long as you are comfortable with the teachers that are going I would let your dd go. If you have any questions or concerns that I can help with please ask.

 

[caitycaity]

i sure would!!! i would have LOVED to go abroad when i was younger. i didn't get the change to until i was in college.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Yes, I would let DD go with or without me. I would probably cancel my WDW trip and go with her though. You can go to WDW later, but this might be a once in a lifetime trip for the 2 of you together.

 

[danacara]

Originally posted by tkd lisa
For those who concur that there's no difference between travelling in a different location within your own country and going overseas, I disagree because you are 1) travelling across an ocean (can't drive back) 2) going to a foreign country where immigration could become a concern. I have friends who happened to be in England on 9/11. It took far longer for them to get back home than it would have if they had been anywhere in the continental US. I'm not suggesting that this would happen again, just saying why there some different considerations for an overseas trip vs. a domestic trip.

I'd absolutely let her go, and it sounds like you're leaning that way. There's nothing like international travel to bring perspective, and she sounds bright enough to appreciate that. I also totally disagree with the logic above, (1) driving back is really not an option across much of this country, (2) immigration will not be a concern for a white twelve-year-old traveling UK-USA with a US passport. Having crossed Europe and lived over there for an extended period, a US passport is like the holy grail. You will not be stopped with it.

I suppose the question to me would be: would you have felt differently about this prior to 9/11? And if you would have, are you content to let a bunch of terrorist nuts rob your daughter of an amazing experience?

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Yep, I would let her go, and I have a 12-year old DD. We faced this same question last school year and had decided to let her do the tour, then SHE decided she wanted to wait another year or two. We had figured out a way for DH to go as well, but we would have felt comfortable sending her without one of us as well (DH going was more of an opportunity for HIM to see the places he has always wanted to see, not to supervise her).

 

[sk!mom]

I wouldn't let a 12 yo go alone, but I would cancel a trip to WDW in a heartbeat for the experience of going with her.

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

No.

 

[luvflorida]

Our oldest daughter was in seventh grade, (1997), when she went to Italy on spring break. She was almost 13 and went with a group of 25 students and 5 teachers. We were very nervous about sending her, but in the end, we were glad we did. She had a wonderful time, and it was very educational. Beforehand, we attended numerous meetings about the trip and we were very comfortable with the adults who were going. We made sure she had a calling card so she could call us whenever she wanted to.

Now, on the other hand, our youngest daughter is almost 14, and there is no way I would send her on a trip overseas, unless I went with her. She is no way near as independent or mature as her sister was at that age. I would be afraid that she would get overseas and want to come home the next day, or that she would get lost from the group, or whatever.

 

[bubie2.5]

I would let her go.

 

[Carl]

I'd let her go either way, but I'd go myself, if I were you, because you'll love England.

 

[Winka]

Skip the group trip-you both could go on your own for under $4400.

 

[Az Pirates]

Like another poster said, so much depends on your child.

I have a 13 yr. old DD who is also in the gifted program. She is a very bright child, always tests very well, etc. but I swear the child is lacking in common sense and is really shy with new people and in new situations. I'd have to be VERY comfortable with the adult chaperones before I'd let her go on that type of trip.
On the other hand, I wouldn't even have hesitated to let my oldest DD do something like that when she was twelve. Different kids - different answers.

I traveled in Europe with family several times during my high school years and loved it so much that I did a 6 month study abroad program in London when I was in college.
One of the best decisions I ever made!

Good luck with your decision!

 

[siouxi31]

Yes, I would send my 12 year old under those circumstances (if he/she wanted to go).

 

[disneyfanforever]

I, personally, would not. I was not able to go on such a trip when I was younger and desparately wanted to but my parents said no. Looking back they made a smart decision. I still haven't made it to London yet but I realize now I was not ready back then to go without a parent. I have two boys now and there is no way I would let them go without me. And I probably would not go with one of them with a school trip. When I go, I would like it to be with my entire family. We would probably have to skip a couple of years at WDW to do that but I think it will be worth it when they are both ready to appreciate that type of trip.

 

[ttichenor]

I would let my DD12 go, but I'd probably go too.

 

[acepepper]

Originally posted by danacara


I suppose the question to me would be: would you have felt differently about this prior to 9/11? And if you would have, are you content to let a bunch of terrorist nuts rob your daughter of an amazing experience?

Well said. Couldn't agree more.