Yikes..opinions please!

Boys r us wrote: Where to start.....I see myself as a pretty protective mom, especially so when they are really small. Now that Tanner is almost 10, I'm not so overly protective of him. Still cautious..but loosening the grips a little ya know, helping him learn to make good decisions and giving him more freedom to try and find himself and learn things. The problem now? LOL...Tanenr's friend's mom just called me and asked me if Tanner could go on vacation with him this July to the Outer Banks of NC. I was a little shell shocked and didn't really know what to say. I told her I would definitely consider it and talk it over with Tanner and Rick and we would let her know. I just so confused. I know that they are trustworthy people and they wouldn't let anything happen to him intentionally. I just worry about Tanner being without my supervision at the BEACH..with the OCEAN!
Tanner is going to be so so so mad at me if I say No and from his point of view I understand why...as a kid, my friend's used to go wtih us on vacation and I used to go with them on vacation..it was always wonderful and fun! But as an adult, I just fear something horrible happening and me not being there! AHAAAAAAAAAAHGGGHHHH!!! I don't know what to do!

Would you let your 10 yr old go on vacation with a family that you know well and felt otherwise comfortable with?

My3LilMonkeys replied: More than likely, yes. I would probably let him go, but maybe talk to the mom about your concerns with the ocean. If he is not a good swimmer I would maybe tell them not to allow him in the ocean at all.

But ultimately, you and your husband need to decide what's right for your family. Good luck, I know this will probably be a very hard decision for you either way.

TANNER'S MOM replied: Nope No way No how...but I am a very over protective Mom. I just can't do it. Justin and Tanner have spend the night with other people maybe 10times. I can't imagine just letting them go. It scares me. You have to take baby steps and I am not ready for that leap!

I am sure he would be okay..but if it was my child.. I wouldn't be okay. That parent would have the largest cell phone bill ever.. from me calling day and night. I can't even stand to let my kids go to camp.

I am not sure I am doing it for me or them..but I am doing it.

I am praying you make the best decision. I am a chicken you know what.. but I think it would be okay if he went!

gr33n3y3z replied: just as long as you trusted the parents why not

We let Erin go to NYC for a week to her friends house she was 15 I know 15 is older then 10 but you get my drift lol

mckayleesmom replied: OOH...thats a tough one because I don't see myself ever losening my grip on them..... ...

MamaJAM replied: If I knew the family REALLY well and I knew my child would be comfortable with them - I'd consider it. My biggest hang-up would be 'how long' are they going to be gone? A few days...a week..? For a few days (3 days) I'd probably be ok with it. Though I'd be hesitant to allow my 10-yr old to go with the other family for a week.

I was 10 or 11 when I started going on short-term trips with my friends' families. But I was 12+ when I'd be gone for a week or more with anyone other than immediate family.

Again....it really depends on how comfortable everyone is with each other. If something came up -- is your son comfortable enough with his friend's parents to talk to them. Example - if he gets homesick - would he be ok talking to them about it. Or, if he's not feeling well, would he be ok with someone else's parents taking care of him.

C&K*s Mommie replied:

amymom replied:

The key for me is the feel comfortable with. You know them well. I would let my 10 yr old go. I have let me son go at different times for different occasions. AND he is now 15 so it is different. But he has gone away for as long as one week. It is scary and I hate it, but I know he needs to have experiences to grow.

Would I let my 9 yr old daughter go? I am sitting her wondering. She is in some ways more dependent, so I am unsure. The opportunity has not presented itself for her to go alone with someone else for more than 1 day. Although she did spend a week with her brother at my sister's house. No other children there and she did well, but that was my sister AND Billy was with her. So that's different too.

I think you will make a very wise decision. Good luck with whatever you decide!

ediep replied: I think if I knew the parents really really well. My 2 best friends have children the same age as Jay and if they asked, I'd be ok with it.

luvbug00 replied: ITA with Mel 100%

~Roo'sMama~ replied:

Kittilicious replied: When my dd was 10 I let her go with her best friend & family to North Dakota (we are in MN). The family was bringing home their Grandma who had spent the summer with them. They spent 2 nights at Grandma's house... gone 3 days total. She had a blast! I had the cell phone number of the mom, Grandma's cell number and Grandma's house number. Everything went fine. I was nervous... but I trust the family.

But I also let her go to a week long bible camp an hour away from home. I'm not as protective as many moms, though, but still protective enough.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Yes, I would. Maddie has a best friend that she's known since she was 2 and if they asked her to go on vacation with them in 4 years I'd let her go. I don't know if Scotty would, but I wouldn't have a problem with it at all. I know these parents would watch my child as closely as they watch their own AND they have an au pair.

But, I think that would be the only family I'd let her go with. We are really close and that makes a huge difference.

Think about it, pray about it and I hope you come to the right decision.

holley79 replied: My mom let us go on vacation with friends and vise versa. If Annika has a very trustworthy friend and they ask me if she can go with them then I will most likely let her.

MichaelsMommy replied: I think if you know the family well enough and trust them it would be ok.
I just let my 13yr old twins fly alone to FL to visit with my dad for a week.
I was a nervous wreck putting them on plane by themselves, but they
did great!

redchief replied: If I knew and trusted them completely, I would. I definitely understand how you feel though.

CantWait replied: I would if I know the parents well enough. My mom let me go with my friends parents a few times as a kid, around the same age. I say let him go, it'll be a good experience for him and give you a break.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Yes I would. Like everyone else said, if I knew the family really well, then definitely. With cell phones these days, I feel pretty comfortable. Give Tanner a few rules to go with. Like...you can't go in the water past your waist...or something like that. And ask the mom to reinforce them. I understand your worry Nichole, but I'm sure he will be fine and have a great time!

My2Beauties replied: My mom and dad let me go with a friend at the age of 11 I believe to Edisto island, SC for a week, via plane. I mean I know they were worried about me, but they trusted my friend's parents. They watched me like a hawk. So I know that if you trust these parents then Tanner should be fine. Good luck with your decision, that would still be hard regardless.