Would you allow a 14 year old to go camping overnight with friends of same age

herbertthehelper

Im all for lettingpeople camp!

ChrisCobra

I think if the op is asking the question then they think no basically , which is what common sense would dictate.

The problem is common sense isnt common anymore.

NoAngel

ChrisCobra wrote: »

I think if the op is asking the question then they think no basically , which is what common sense would dictate.

The problem is common sense isnt common anymore.

But if you'd read the rest of the thread, you'd see that DS is now camping at a friends farm. Why is it not common sense to ask for other peoples advice? If some parents are saying yes and some have reservations, then why not seek extra opinions? Doesn't mean no common sense at all. Saying 'NO' without consideration lacks common sense.

kr15snw

Im impressed he told you!

Or maybe it was just me who didnt tell my parents the entire truth growing up...

I went camping with friends at 14 but they thought I was at a mates.

But, I dont think Id let him. 14 does seem awfully young..

aliasojo

ChrisCobra wrote: »

I think if the op is asking the question then they think no basically , which is what common sense would dictate.

The problem is common sense isnt common anymore.

That's ridiculous.

There is no blanket answer for set situations involving 14 year olds. :rolleyes:

OP...I'm glad the situation has been resolved, sounds like a win/win situation to me. I hope your son has a fun time and I hope you sleep ok.

ChrisCobra

I guess some of you havent been on the arce end of kids up at 12 outside your house drunk as skunks , i bet they told their parents a great novel too , tho it is good he told you beforehand

aliasojo

ChrisCobra wrote: »

I guess some of you havent been on the arce end of kids up at 12 outside your house drunk as skunks

And of course that is an excellent reason to pre-decide all teenager camping requests. :rolleyes:

jax-21

ChrisCobra wrote: »

I think if the op is asking the question then they think no basically , which is what common sense would dictate.

The problem is common sense isnt common anymore.

My first reaction was to say no, but then I started to wonder if I was being unreasonable, we have a very good relationship with our son ,we do trust him, he knows this and so far he has not let us down. My concern is obviously for his safety but I know that sometimes I can be over protective and that is why I wanted other parents opinions before my husband and I made our final decision. We have taken our son camping on several ocassions so he knows the dangers of fire etc, he sits his black belt in tae kwon do next year and can probably take care of himself more than most kids of his age, I have been teaching him how to cook since he was 7 years old so I know he won't starve. Now that I know that he is going to be nearer home, will have adults I trust close by, will be able to get a signal on his mobile and that they are all aware and agree that an adult will check up on them ocassionally (can sending my dh out for a walk every half hour be classed as ocassional?:rotfl:)
I feel a bit better now about letting him go, still won't sleep a wink though. They are all going to be doing the D of E award later this year and will have to go on a camping trip without adults very soon anyway so this will be a bit of experience for them but with some adult supervision. (probably a lot more supervision than they will realise;).)

libbyc3

being one of those really bad parents who dont know where their kids are my DS (then 14) had me duped by the 'i'm staying at ........ tonight mum' lines and ........ did the same - they camped over at a field about 5 mins from my house. me and the other parent only found out when i realised the tent had disappeared from the garage and i phoned the other parent to see if they were camping in her garden as he had forgotten his sleeping bag! - turns out the sleeping bags has disappeared from hers ( warmer than ours).
soon realised the little !%^%s had done us over - only took 10 mins to find them.
We let them stay just for the sheer cheek of them. all was fine, until a labrador woke then at 6am by bargin in the tent to steal the last of the chocolate supplies!

oystercatcher

Sounds a good solution in the end.
I was worried about the public park as being so visible is asking to attract trouble from any local drunks, druggies, bullies, pead'os. I can remember that case where the girl was kidnapped from the garden too, horrible but unusual. We have to balance the risks over the learning experience.

The experience will really be good if he's going for his D of E soon. My son was leading a D of E expedition last year at 16 there's no way he could have been capable of that if he hadn't had a few 'safe adventures'.