Would you let a 14 year old travel alone?

Little_Chicken

miamoo wrote: »

cazziebo wrote: »

get the feeling I might get slated for this...!



My OH flew to Canada when he was 24, he said he nearly sh*t himself the turbulance was that bad, people were praying and 2 women were crying.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Sorry - I hate flying, but do it quite often and even I wouldn't react like this.

PolishBigSpender

budgetflyer wrote: »

Ablutely no chance! I cant believe anyone would even consider this, sending a 14 year old to the other side of the world on their own with COMPLETE STRANGERS.

Why not? Plenty of children do it every year! It's normal in many Arab and Eastern countries to send your child halfway across the world to such camps - the UK is full of such summer camps in which wealthy children attend. Funnily enough, nothing happens to these children!

Its not the same as sending them to summer camp, down the road, where if theres a problem, you can drive down and get them. This is a MAJOR distance. Canada is the other side of the Atlantic. If theres a problem, you cant get there, with any ease.

So how do American children cope when they go on summer camp from Alaska to Florida, for instance? Funnily enough, they do!

but this one is taking "let them do what they want " absolutely too far !

No, it's about giving them responsibility and letting them see the world. I'm struggling to see what harm can come to a 14 year old at a well known camp, where they're escorted every step of the way. You know, !!!!!philes DON'T lurk around every corner!

As a parent, you have a DUTY OF CARE. To even think of allowing this trip is negligent IMO

So every parent who sends their child to such camps is bad? I imagine these children grow up to be savvy and aware of the world, and certainly not irresponsible.

poet123 wrote:

Two years is a long time in the emotional and intellectual development of a child.

I must admit, I struggle to see the difference between 14 and 16 year olds in the UK. They dress alike, act alike and generally are alike for all practical purposes.

Tojo_Ralph wrote:

I have to ask ..... Where can you possibly live that you have come to hold such an absurd belief?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/britains-children-unhappy-neglected-and-poorly-educated-436302.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/unhealthy-unhappy-and-with-no-selfesteem-british-teenagers-lag-behind-worlds-young-731020.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/feb/01/child-welfare-inquiry

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-399353/British-children-Europes-unhappiest-unhealthiest.html

http://www.newstatesman.com/uk-politics/2008/07/children-social-kids-young

Uhh....

budgetflyer wrote:

We can not compare our standards to others

Erm - North American standards are very similar to British standards (if not worse, especially Canada!) and yet those children happily fly all over the world. What's the difference there?

miamoo wrote:

I stand by my opinion 14 is to young to travel alone, so what if its one in 10,000 flights that has difficulties of some kind, I wouldnt risk it with my child.

And that's exactly what's wrong with the UK mentality surrounding child welfare. Too much "MY CHILD MY PRECIOUS CHILD" hysteria - which is why the children grow up unhappy. Perhaps if you let your child experience new things without being wrapped in cotton wool, it might actually have a positive effect.

By the way, do you let your child travel in a car? It's far more likely to be hurt in a car than a plane! I also assume that any dangerous activities, such as skiing and football are banned? And what about being left with family members and friends, which are statistically most likely to abuse your child?

My OH flew to Canada when he was 24, he said he nearly sh*t himself the turbulance was that bad, people were praying and 2 women were crying.

[FONT=ARIAL,]
Severe Turbulence is

Turbulence that causes large abrupt changes in altitude/attitude:

1. In most cases, severe turbulence will be unanticipated
2. Unsecured items are tipped over or tossed about
3. Standing or walking is impossible without hold on to part of aircraft
4. Occupants are forced violently against seat belts[/FONT]

I very much doubt that the majority of people have ever experienced such turbulence. I know most people think that "severe turbulence" is a bit of shaking and bouncing where you can't leave your seat - but in reality, it's nothing of the sort. I've never experienced severe turbulence and hope never to do so - but it is also very, very rare.

But as I say, perhaps this killjoy attitude is why British children are unhappy. Perhaps if they were trusted more and given responsibility - then they might respond positively. Not being allowed to go on the adventure of a lifetime because of some mysterious unknown risks is ridiculous at best.

(Of course, airlines should be selected carefully, as should the camp, this goes without saying)

poet123

So, do you have children? You have addressed every other point but not this one.....

PolishBigSpender

poet123 wrote: »

So, do you have children? You have addressed every other point but not this one.....

Think about why I moved back to Poland from the UK for the answer to that one

(it's a universally held view in Poland that the UK is a dreadful place to bring up children but a fantastic place to make money...choices, choices...)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the more well known camp organisations (that run camps, not the ones dealing with volunteers) have a UK presence? I know UK camps certainly have a presence in Poland!

Tojo_Ralph

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/britains-children-unhappy-neglected-and-poorly-educated-436302.html ...........

So the sum total of your experience of the issue is information gleened from surfing the internet? :rolleyes:

That said, I'll ask again ..... Where can you possibly live that you have come to hold such an absurd belief?

PolishBigSpender

Tojo_Ralph wrote: »

So the sum total of your experience of the issue is information gleened from surfing the internet? :rolleyes:

Well - I gave you balanced news sources from various outlets. They're not all wrong, surely?

That said, I'll ask again ..... Where can you possibly live that you have come to hold such an absurd belief?

London. I saw two worlds there - very unhappy working and middle class children, and very happy upper class children. Unsurprisingly, the upper class children were the ones with the most freedom - they thought nothing of playing polo followed by going hunting at the weekend, and maybe a spot of rugby in there too.

Meanwhile, Molly is locked up by her middle class mummy because you know, the world is just full of dangers these days.

As for the working class children, the estates of London should tell you plenty about the happiness of those children!

poet123

That will be a no then......

It is a universally held view in the UK that people who come here for fiscal reasons and do not intend to assimilate, are beter off going home and being parochial, than living within the UK and whinging about us and our customs.

Happily you seem to feel the same way.....so, maybe it is time to wean yourself off the UK forums and find like minded Polish residents to debate with?

foreign_correspondent

I would look into the camp - online information, reviews, safety, etc (of course!) and if you are satisfied with it, let her go and enjoy it - and congratulate yourself on having brought up such an independant kid!

Tojo_Ralph

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

London

There in lies your problem

London is not "the UK", it's not "Britain" and living there regardless of ones wealth is in no way representative of life in the UK.

mumps

Well for what its worth here is my take on this. I think travel is a wonderful experience for children. Mine have been on many trips, school, relatives, scouts as well as with mom and dad. Just a word of caution. Airlines don't always get it right. My sister was living in another european country due to her husbands work. My son went out for a holiday with his cousins. BA were great, he was collected by a lovely young woman who took care of him, and some other children, and put them on the flight. He sat next to a boy who was living in UK as his father was working here, he was going home for the summer with grandparents. I thank heavens they sat them together as at the other end they were just pointed in the direction of passport control/customs and left to get on with it. Two boys of ten, one not speaking the language of the country he was visiting. The other boy did the translating and they made their way through to arrivals were my sister and the other boys grandparents were waiting. The good side was they survived, bad side it was a scary experience but no harm done.

My other thought is that not getting what you want can also be a good learning experience. I am not saying she is a spoilt 14 year old or always gets what she wants (obviously I don't know anything else about her and I am really not wanting to upset anyone or cause offence) but lots of us cant have a holiday in North America even if we want one. Perhaps it is something she could work towards for next year when she is a bit older and could save some money towards it? Just a thought. When my daughter wanted to go on extra school trips she had to save half. When I say extra I mean I have four kids, we had a plan that they could go on certain trips, a skiing trip, language exchange, history trip the school does to WW1 and 2 sites in europe. Second skiing trip and a more exotic trip they did she saved birthday, Christmas and some pocket money. I think she enjoyed them all the more as she had worked for them. Her brothers only did the agreed trips, they weren't prepared to pay towards extra trips and if they weren't I didn't see why I should find all the cash. Maybe I am just tight.