Missing Alabama student in Barcelona

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This hits so close to home and my heart. My son recently was at the exact same popular nightclub Shoko on the beach in Spain. They had a table, it was hot and packed. He left his phone and friends, went outside to get fresh air thinking they’d let him back in because of purchased table. The bouncers refused because the line to get in was 200 long. So he was separated from phone, apple wallet and friends. He had no cash for taxi, no maps spoke no Catalon. After four hours of wandering around Spain he finally found two girls who spoke English who gave him directions to his hotel where he arrived safely scared but exhausted and went to sleep.

Back home in the states I could see on Life 360 that he hadn’t moved from the club in 7 hours. Waited for the club to close and when he didn’t move, knew there was a problem. Had his friends scour the beach for him in the dark in groups worried he was in the ocean because it was so close to where his phone was pinging. Finally heard from him after 15 hours when the club reopened and he retrieved his phone at 3pm Spain time. Was so upset he didn’t find a way to contact me sooner. It was the longest most terrifying night of my life.

That same night one of his friends wallet and phone were stolen. He was also held up by knife point in Italy weeks later. If you have a child studying abroad or visiting foreign countries, you must drill into them street smarts, a few important phrases in the native language, have names and phone numbers of the kids they are with, name of hotel, flight info, rules for check in or please do not let them go. We made mistakes by not doing those things. It’s not Disneyland. They can not go anywhere without their phone. They need their phone in a safe interior pocket at all times and CASH! Such a lesson to learn. Thankfully my son was not drunk so that he couldn’t function. If he had been, my heart lurches and breaks at the thought. This child could have been my boy. I am shaken to the core. This should have never happened but it so easily does. It’s so easy to be caught up in the excitement and glamour of a foreign country. Kids will be kids. Such a beautiful boy who sounds like he was a really great kid. Praying for this family with all my heart. Devastating.

I mean, yea, tough story and glad your kid was ok, but had you not been tracking him the whole entire thing would have happened anyway and you probably would never even have known about it. College kids have been studying in Europe for generations without being tracked.

A girl would have used a friend’s phone to text mom. Also, I have my daughters’ friends contact info in my phone so I would have just texted someone she was with.

Having people look out for you is not a bad thing as long as it not controlling.

My point is that back in the day nobody had phones. And everybody was fine.

No everybody was NOT fine.

+1

Yes, we were. I was, my spouse was, and three of my kids who studied abroad a generation later also were fine.

That’s not what “everybody” means. And having phones doesn’t make you less safe. Which seems to be what you are implying.

No, I am saying that having phones don't make you more safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This hits so close to home and my heart. My son recently was at the exact same popular nightclub Shoko on the beach in Spain. They had a table, it was hot and packed. He left his phone and friends, went outside to get fresh air thinking they’d let him back in because of purchased table. The bouncers refused because the line to get in was 200 long. So he was separated from phone, apple wallet and friends. He had no cash for taxi, no maps spoke no Catalon. After four hours of wandering around Spain he finally found two girls who spoke English who gave him directions to his hotel where he arrived safely scared but exhausted and went to sleep.

Back home in the states I could see on Life 360 that he hadn’t moved from the club in 7 hours. Waited for the club to close and when he didn’t move, knew there was a problem. Had his friends scour the beach for him in the dark in groups worried he was in the ocean because it was so close to where his phone was pinging. Finally heard from him after 15 hours when the club reopened and he retrieved his phone at 3pm Spain time. Was so upset he didn’t find a way to contact me sooner. It was the longest most terrifying night of my life.

That same night one of his friends wallet and phone were stolen. He was also held up by knife point in Italy weeks later. If you have a child studying abroad or visiting foreign countries, you must drill into them street smarts, a few important phrases in the native language, have names and phone numbers of the kids they are with, name of hotel, flight info, rules for check in or please do not let them go. We made mistakes by not doing those things. It’s not Disneyland. They can not go anywhere without their phone. They need their phone in a safe interior pocket at all times and CASH! Such a lesson to learn. Thankfully my son was not drunk so that he couldn’t function. If he had been, my heart lurches and breaks at the thought. This child could have been my boy. I am shaken to the core. This should have never happened but it so easily does. It’s so easy to be caught up in the excitement and glamour of a foreign country. Kids will be kids. Such a beautiful boy who sounds like he was a really great kid. Praying for this family with all my heart. Devastating.

Land the helicopter Mom. Spain and Italy are both far safer than the US. Kids do stupid things sometimes, but they land on their feet and it’s important for their growth. It sounds like your son was fine. Give him room to grow and don’t smother him. You are not doing him any favors!

There’s something different about your kid being so distant and in a place where they may not speak the language and be familiar with the culture. The Europe of today is not the Europe of the past.

I’m the helicopter Mom. Hard agree with you. As someone who has been to Europe multiple times over the decades, it is a much different place than 20-30 years ago, so much more dangerous. But even then it wasn’t safe. I was chased down a back alley by a man with a knife not far from the Spanish steps, barely made it to safety. It’s why I knew to keep a watch on my kid. Even then I was waaay too lax for the first few weeks. He was flying all over Europe on cheap plane tickets, staying in hostels and I had no idea with who. His Barcelona incident was a huge wake up call. Thats why I’m here to give my hard earned advice to other parents so tragedy can hopefully be averted. We were so lucky. But the truth is it can happen even here in the US. It’s important to teach your kid to be vigilant and street smarts and equally as important to keep track of the ones you love. Watching out for their safety is not controlling them. Huge difference.

Vigilance is important everywhere. Hannah Graham and Laken Riley (and many others) were on their own campuses. Evil is everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This hits so close to home and my heart. My son recently was at the exact same popular nightclub Shoko on the beach in Spain. They had a table, it was hot and packed. He left his phone and friends, went outside to get fresh air thinking they’d let him back in because of purchased table. The bouncers refused because the line to get in was 200 long. So he was separated from phone, apple wallet and friends. He had no cash for taxi, no maps spoke no Catalon. After four hours of wandering around Spain he finally found two girls who spoke English who gave him directions to his hotel where he arrived safely scared but exhausted and went to sleep.

Back home in the states I could see on Life 360 that he hadn’t moved from the club in 7 hours. Waited for the club to close and when he didn’t move, knew there was a problem. Had his friends scour the beach for him in the dark in groups worried he was in the ocean because it was so close to where his phone was pinging. Finally heard from him after 15 hours when the club reopened and he retrieved his phone at 3pm Spain time. Was so upset he didn’t find a way to contact me sooner. It was the longest most terrifying night of my life.

That same night one of his friends wallet and phone were stolen. He was also held up by knife point in Italy weeks later. If you have a child studying abroad or visiting foreign countries, you must drill into them street smarts, a few important phrases in the native language, have names and phone numbers of the kids they are with, name of hotel, flight info, rules for check in or please do not let them go. We made mistakes by not doing those things. It’s not Disneyland. They can not go anywhere without their phone. They need their phone in a safe interior pocket at all times and CASH! Such a lesson to learn. Thankfully my son was not drunk so that he couldn’t function. If he had been, my heart lurches and breaks at the thought. This child could have been my boy. I am shaken to the core. This should have never happened but it so easily does. It’s so easy to be caught up in the excitement and glamour of a foreign country. Kids will be kids. Such a beautiful boy who sounds like he was a really great kid. Praying for this family with all my heart. Devastating.

Land the helicopter Mom. Spain and Italy are both far safer than the US. Kids do stupid things sometimes, but they land on their feet and it’s important for their growth. It sounds like your son was fine. Give him room to grow and don’t smother him. You are not doing him any favors!

There’s something different about your kid being so distant and in a place where they may not speak the language and be familiar with the culture. The Europe of today is not the Europe of the past.

I’m the helicopter Mom. Hard agree with you. As someone who has been to Europe multiple times over the decades, it is a much different place than 20-30 years ago, so much more dangerous. But even then it wasn’t safe. I was chased down a back alley by a man with a knife not far from the Spanish steps, barely made it to safety. It’s why I knew to keep a watch on my kid. Even then I was waaay too lax for the first few weeks. He was flying all over Europe on cheap plane tickets, staying in hostels and I had no idea with who. His Barcelona incident was a huge wake up call. Thats why I’m here to give my hard earned advice to other parents so tragedy can hopefully be averted. We were so lucky. But the truth is it can happen even here in the US. It’s important to teach your kid to be vigilant and street smarts and equally as important to keep track of the ones you love. Watching out for their safety is not controlling them. Huge difference.

+1 so very true

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This hits so close to home and my heart. My son recently was at the exact same popular nightclub Shoko on the beach in Spain. They had a table, it was hot and packed. He left his phone and friends, went outside to get fresh air thinking they’d let him back in because of purchased table. The bouncers refused because the line to get in was 200 long. So he was separated from phone, apple wallet and friends. He had no cash for taxi, no maps spoke no Catalon. After four hours of wandering around Spain he finally found two girls who spoke English who gave him directions to his hotel where he arrived safely scared but exhausted and went to sleep.

Back home in the states I could see on Life 360 that he hadn’t moved from the club in 7 hours. Waited for the club to close and when he didn’t move, knew there was a problem. Had his friends scour the beach for him in the dark in groups worried he was in the ocean because it was so close to where his phone was pinging. Finally heard from him after 15 hours when the club reopened and he retrieved his phone at 3pm Spain time. Was so upset he didn’t find a way to contact me sooner. It was the longest most terrifying night of my life.

That same night one of his friends wallet and phone were stolen. He was also held up by knife point in Italy weeks later. If you have a child studying abroad or visiting foreign countries, you must drill into them street smarts, a few important phrases in the native language, have names and phone numbers of the kids they are with, name of hotel, flight info, rules for check in or please do not let them go. We made mistakes by not doing those things. It’s not Disneyland. They can not go anywhere without their phone. They need their phone in a safe interior pocket at all times and CASH! Such a lesson to learn. Thankfully my son was not drunk so that he couldn’t function. If he had been, my heart lurches and breaks at the thought. This child could have been my boy. I am shaken to the core. This should have never happened but it so easily does. It’s so easy to be caught up in the excitement and glamour of a foreign country. Kids will be kids. Such a beautiful boy who sounds like he was a really great kid. Praying for this family with all my heart. Devastating.

I mean, yea, tough story and glad your kid was ok, but had you not been tracking him the whole entire thing would have happened anyway and you probably would never even have known about it. College kids have been studying in Europe for generations without being tracked.

A girl would have used a friend’s phone to text mom. Also, I have my daughters’ friends contact info in my phone so I would have just texted someone she was with.

Having people look out for you is not a bad thing as long as it not controlling.

My point is that back in the day nobody had phones. And everybody was fine.

No everybody was NOT fine.

+1

Yes, we were. I was, my spouse was, and three of my kids who studied abroad a generation later also were fine.

Quite possibly the stupidest thing I’ve ever read on this site. I’d knock on your head were I you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This hits so close to home and my heart. My son recently was at the exact same popular nightclub Shoko on the beach in Spain. They had a table, it was hot and packed. He left his phone and friends, went outside to get fresh air thinking they’d let him back in because of purchased table. The bouncers refused because the line to get in was 200 long. So he was separated from phone, apple wallet and friends. He had no cash for taxi, no maps spoke no Catalon. After four hours of wandering around Spain he finally found two girls who spoke English who gave him directions to his hotel where he arrived safely scared but exhausted and went to sleep.

Back home in the states I could see on Life 360 that he hadn’t moved from the club in 7 hours. Waited for the club to close and when he didn’t move, knew there was a problem. Had his friends scour the beach for him in the dark in groups worried he was in the ocean because it was so close to where his phone was pinging. Finally heard from him after 15 hours when the club reopened and he retrieved his phone at 3pm Spain time. Was so upset he didn’t find a way to contact me sooner. It was the longest most terrifying night of my life.

That same night one of his friends wallet and phone were stolen. He was also held up by knife point in Italy weeks later. If you have a child studying abroad or visiting foreign countries, you must drill into them street smarts, a few important phrases in the native language, have names and phone numbers of the kids they are with, name of hotel, flight info, rules for check in or please do not let them go. We made mistakes by not doing those things. It’s not Disneyland. They can not go anywhere without their phone. They need their phone in a safe interior pocket at all times and CASH! Such a lesson to learn. Thankfully my son was not drunk so that he couldn’t function. If he had been, my heart lurches and breaks at the thought. This child could have been my boy. I am shaken to the core. This should have never happened but it so easily does. It’s so easy to be caught up in the excitement and glamour of a foreign country. Kids will be kids. Such a beautiful boy who sounds like he was a really great kid. Praying for this family with all my heart. Devastating.

Land the helicopter Mom. Spain and Italy are both far safer than the US. Kids do stupid things sometimes, but they land on their feet and it’s important for their growth. It sounds like your son was fine. Give him room to grow and don’t smother him. You are not doing him any favors!

There’s something different about your kid being so distant and in a place where they may not speak the language and be familiar with the culture. The Europe of today is not the Europe of the past.

I’m the helicopter Mom. Hard agree with you. As someone who has been to Europe multiple times over the decades, it is a much different place than 20-30 years ago, so much more dangerous. But even then it wasn’t safe. I was chased down a back alley by a man with a knife not far from the Spanish steps, barely made it to safety. It’s why I knew to keep a watch on my kid. Even then I was waaay too lax for the first few weeks. He was flying all over Europe on cheap plane tickets, staying in hostels and I had no idea with who. His Barcelona incident was a huge wake up call. Thats why I’m here to give my hard earned advice to other parents so tragedy can hopefully be averted. We were so lucky. But the truth is it can happen even here in the US. It’s important to teach your kid to be vigilant and street smarts and equally as important to keep track of the ones you love. Watching out for their safety is not controlling them. Huge difference.

Sorry helicopter mom, but this is not a story about him being in danger. You're telling this sorry like it was a close call, but it wasn't. If there's a lesson here, it's don't walk out of a nightclub without your phone and also maybe don't follow your kids so obsessively.

[Anonymous]

I’m a Bama mom and this is just so heartbreaking.

[Anonymous]

Instead of your kids studying abroad, maybe they should live with you and you can drive them to school and sit in on their classes and go out with them and night and make sure they're ok?

Get a grip.

Europe isn't hell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This hits so close to home and my heart. My son recently was at the exact same popular nightclub Shoko on the beach in Spain. They had a table, it was hot and packed. He left his phone and friends, went outside to get fresh air thinking they’d let him back in because of purchased table. The bouncers refused because the line to get in was 200 long. So he was separated from phone, apple wallet and friends. He had no cash for taxi, no maps spoke no Catalon. After four hours of wandering around Spain he finally found two girls who spoke English who gave him directions to his hotel where he arrived safely scared but exhausted and went to sleep.

Back home in the states I could see on Life 360 that he hadn’t moved from the club in 7 hours. Waited for the club to close and when he didn’t move, knew there was a problem. Had his friends scour the beach for him in the dark in groups worried he was in the ocean because it was so close to where his phone was pinging. Finally heard from him after 15 hours when the club reopened and he retrieved his phone at 3pm Spain time. Was so upset he didn’t find a way to contact me sooner. It was the longest most terrifying night of my life.

That same night one of his friends wallet and phone were stolen. He was also held up by knife point in Italy weeks later. If you have a child studying abroad or visiting foreign countries, you must drill into them street smarts, a few important phrases in the native language, have names and phone numbers of the kids they are with, name of hotel, flight info, rules for check in or please do not let them go. We made mistakes by not doing those things. It’s not Disneyland. They can not go anywhere without their phone. They need their phone in a safe interior pocket at all times and CASH! Such a lesson to learn. Thankfully my son was not drunk so that he couldn’t function. If he had been, my heart lurches and breaks at the thought. This child could have been my boy. I am shaken to the core. This should have never happened but it so easily does. It’s so easy to be caught up in the excitement and glamour of a foreign country. Kids will be kids. Such a beautiful boy who sounds like he was a really great kid. Praying for this family with all my heart. Devastating.

Land the helicopter Mom. Spain and Italy are both far safer than the US. Kids do stupid things sometimes, but they land on their feet and it’s important for their growth. It sounds like your son was fine. Give him room to grow and don’t smother him. You are not doing him any favors!

There’s something different about your kid being so distant and in a place where they may not speak the language and be familiar with the culture. The Europe of today is not the Europe of the past.

I’m the helicopter Mom. Hard agree with you. As someone who has been to Europe multiple times over the decades, it is a much different place than 20-30 years ago, so much more dangerous. But even then it wasn’t safe. I was chased down a back alley by a man with a knife not far from the Spanish steps, barely made it to safety. It’s why I knew to keep a watch on my kid. Even then I was waaay too lax for the first few weeks. He was flying all over Europe on cheap plane tickets, staying in hostels and I had no idea with who. His Barcelona incident was a huge wake up call. Thats why I’m here to give my hard earned advice to other parents so tragedy can hopefully be averted. We were so lucky. But the truth is it can happen even here in the US. It’s important to teach your kid to be vigilant and street smarts and equally as important to keep track of the ones you love. Watching out for their safety is not controlling them. Huge difference.

Sorry helicopter mom, but this is not a story about him being in danger. You're telling this sorry like it was a close call, but it wasn't. If there's a lesson here, it's don't walk out of a nightclub without your phone and also maybe don't follow your kids so obsessively.

Um, yeah, did I ever say that wasn’t the lesson? He was stupid to walk out of the club without his phone and get lost in Barcelona hours on end. And he actually was in danger, did you not read that he also had a knife pulled on him by a gang of migrants? Do you actually think I care about what some random bot thinks about me and my parenting? How about I’ll worry about my kid and give practical advice from what I learned and you do whatever it is you do…because that’s between you, your kid and the fickle luck of life. Wishing you the best

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This hits so close to home and my heart. My son recently was at the exact same popular nightclub Shoko on the beach in Spain. They had a table, it was hot and packed. He left his phone and friends, went outside to get fresh air thinking they’d let him back in because of purchased table. The bouncers refused because the line to get in was 200 long. So he was separated from phone, apple wallet and friends. He had no cash for taxi, no maps spoke no Catalon. After four hours of wandering around Spain he finally found two girls who spoke English who gave him directions to his hotel where he arrived safely scared but exhausted and went to sleep.

Back home in the states I could see on Life 360 that he hadn’t moved from the club in 7 hours. Waited for the club to close and when he didn’t move, knew there was a problem. Had his friends scour the beach for him in the dark in groups worried he was in the ocean because it was so close to where his phone was pinging. Finally heard from him after 15 hours when the club reopened and he retrieved his phone at 3pm Spain time. Was so upset he didn’t find a way to contact me sooner. It was the longest most terrifying night of my life.

That same night one of his friends wallet and phone were stolen. He was also held up by knife point in Italy weeks later. If you have a child studying abroad or visiting foreign countries, you must drill into them street smarts, a few important phrases in the native language, have names and phone numbers of the kids they are with, name of hotel, flight info, rules for check in or please do not let them go. We made mistakes by not doing those things. It’s not Disneyland. They can not go anywhere without their phone. They need their phone in a safe interior pocket at all times and CASH! Such a lesson to learn. Thankfully my son was not drunk so that he couldn’t function. If he had been, my heart lurches and breaks at the thought. This child could have been my boy. I am shaken to the core. This should have never happened but it so easily does. It’s so easy to be caught up in the excitement and glamour of a foreign country. Kids will be kids. Such a beautiful boy who sounds like he was a really great kid. Praying for this family with all my heart. Devastating.

I mean, yea, tough story and glad your kid was ok, but had you not been tracking him the whole entire thing would have happened anyway and you probably would never even have known about it. College kids have been studying in Europe for generations without being tracked.

A girl would have used a friend’s phone to text mom. Also, I have my daughters’ friends contact info in my phone so I would have just texted someone she was with.

Having people look out for you is not a bad thing as long as it not controlling.

My point is that back in the day nobody had phones. And everybody was fine.

No everybody was NOT fine.

+1

Yes, we were. I was, my spouse was, and three of my kids who studied abroad a generation later also were fine.

Quite possibly the stupidest thing I’ve ever read on this site. I’d knock on your head were I you.

Everyone we knew was fine, too. Between the five of us, literally hundreds of students. And we were all fine.

I feel terrible for this poor kid, but he was not a crime victim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Instead of your kids studying abroad, maybe they should live with you and you can drive them to school and sit in on their classes and go out with them and night and make sure they're ok?

Get a grip.

Europe isn't hell.

Awww, so bitter it’s kind of sweet. I’ve said multiple times this could happen anywhere. What happened to this beautiful boy is tragic. Go Find some gratitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This hits so close to home and my heart. My son recently was at the exact same popular nightclub Shoko on the beach in Spain. They had a table, it was hot and packed. He left his phone and friends, went outside to get fresh air thinking they’d let him back in because of purchased table. The bouncers refused because the line to get in was 200 long. So he was separated from phone, apple wallet and friends. He had no cash for taxi, no maps spoke no Catalon. After four hours of wandering around Spain he finally found two girls who spoke English who gave him directions to his hotel where he arrived safely scared but exhausted and went to sleep.

Back home in the states I could see on Life 360 that he hadn’t moved from the club in 7 hours. Waited for the club to close and when he didn’t move, knew there was a problem. Had his friends scour the beach for him in the dark in groups worried he was in the ocean because it was so close to where his phone was pinging. Finally heard from him after 15 hours when the club reopened and he retrieved his phone at 3pm Spain time. Was so upset he didn’t find a way to contact me sooner. It was the longest most terrifying night of my life.

That same night one of his friends wallet and phone were stolen. He was also held up by knife point in Italy weeks later. If you have a child studying abroad or visiting foreign countries, you must drill into them street smarts, a few important phrases in the native language, have names and phone numbers of the kids they are with, name of hotel, flight info, rules for check in or please do not let them go. We made mistakes by not doing those things. It’s not Disneyland. They can not go anywhere without their phone. They need their phone in a safe interior pocket at all times and CASH! Such a lesson to learn. Thankfully my son was not drunk so that he couldn’t function. If he had been, my heart lurches and breaks at the thought. This child could have been my boy. I am shaken to the core. This should have never happened but it so easily does. It’s so easy to be caught up in the excitement and glamour of a foreign country. Kids will be kids. Such a beautiful boy who sounds like he was a really great kid. Praying for this family with all my heart. Devastating.

Land the helicopter Mom. Spain and Italy are both far safer than the US. Kids do stupid things sometimes, but they land on their feet and it’s important for their growth. It sounds like your son was fine. Give him room to grow and don’t smother him. You are not doing him any favors!

There’s something different about your kid being so distant and in a place where they may not speak the language and be familiar with the culture. The Europe of today is not the Europe of the past.

I’m the helicopter Mom. Hard agree with you. As someone who has been to Europe multiple times over the decades, it is a much different place than 20-30 years ago, so much more dangerous. But even then it wasn’t safe. I was chased down a back alley by a man with a knife not far from the Spanish steps, barely made it to safety. It’s why I knew to keep a watch on my kid. Even then I was waaay too lax for the first few weeks. He was flying all over Europe on cheap plane tickets, staying in hostels and I had no idea with who. His Barcelona incident was a huge wake up call. Thats why I’m here to give my hard earned advice to other parents so tragedy can hopefully be averted. We were so lucky. But the truth is it can happen even here in the US. It’s important to teach your kid to be vigilant and street smarts and equally as important to keep track of the ones you love. Watching out for their safety is not controlling them. Huge difference.

Sorry helicopter mom, but this is not a story about him being in danger. You're telling this sorry like it was a close call, but it wasn't. If there's a lesson here, it's don't walk out of a nightclub without your phone and also maybe don't follow your kids so obsessively.

Um, yeah, did I ever say that wasn’t the lesson? He was stupid to walk out of the club without his phone and get lost in Barcelona hours on end. And he actually was in danger, did you not read that he also had a knife pulled on him by a gang of migrants? Do you actually think I care about what some random bot thinks about me and my parenting? How about I’ll worry about my kid and give practical advice from what I learned and you do whatever it is you do…because that’s between you, your kid and the fickle luck of life. Wishing you the best

Your son broke a world record going four hours in Barcelona without finding someone who could speak English.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Instead of your kids studying abroad, maybe they should live with you and you can drive them to school and sit in on their classes and go out with them and night and make sure they're ok?

Get a grip.

Europe isn't hell.

Awww, so bitter it’s kind of sweet. I’ve said multiple times this could happen anywhere. What happened to this beautiful boy is tragic. Go Find some gratitude.

We're not talking about this poor kid. He was not a crime victim. We're talking about the crazed posters who are painting the whole of Europe as a war zone. You want to see a war zone? Look out your window.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This hits so close to home and my heart. My son recently was at the exact same popular nightclub Shoko on the beach in Spain. They had a table, it was hot and packed. He left his phone and friends, went outside to get fresh air thinking they’d let him back in because of purchased table. The bouncers refused because the line to get in was 200 long. So he was separated from phone, apple wallet and friends. He had no cash for taxi, no maps spoke no Catalon. After four hours of wandering around Spain he finally found two girls who spoke English who gave him directions to his hotel where he arrived safely scared but exhausted and went to sleep.

Back home in the states I could see on Life 360 that he hadn’t moved from the club in 7 hours. Waited for the club to close and when he didn’t move, knew there was a problem. Had his friends scour the beach for him in the dark in groups worried he was in the ocean because it was so close to where his phone was pinging. Finally heard from him after 15 hours when the club reopened and he retrieved his phone at 3pm Spain time. Was so upset he didn’t find a way to contact me sooner. It was the longest most terrifying night of my life.

That same night one of his friends wallet and phone were stolen. He was also held up by knife point in Italy weeks later. If you have a child studying abroad or visiting foreign countries, you must drill into them street smarts, a few important phrases in the native language, have names and phone numbers of the kids they are with, name of hotel, flight info, rules for check in or please do not let them go. We made mistakes by not doing those things. It’s not Disneyland. They can not go anywhere without their phone. They need their phone in a safe interior pocket at all times and CASH! Such a lesson to learn. Thankfully my son was not drunk so that he couldn’t function. If he had been, my heart lurches and breaks at the thought. This child could have been my boy. I am shaken to the core. This should have never happened but it so easily does. It’s so easy to be caught up in the excitement and glamour of a foreign country. Kids will be kids. Such a beautiful boy who sounds like he was a really great kid. Praying for this family with all my heart. Devastating.

Land the helicopter Mom. Spain and Italy are both far safer than the US. Kids do stupid things sometimes, but they land on their feet and it’s important for their growth. It sounds like your son was fine. Give him room to grow and don’t smother him. You are not doing him any favors!

There’s something different about your kid being so distant and in a place where they may not speak the language and be familiar with the culture. The Europe of today is not the Europe of the past.

I’m the helicopter Mom. Hard agree with you. As someone who has been to Europe multiple times over the decades, it is a much different place than 20-30 years ago, so much more dangerous. But even then it wasn’t safe. I was chased down a back alley by a man with a knife not far from the Spanish steps, barely made it to safety. It’s why I knew to keep a watch on my kid. Even then I was waaay too lax for the first few weeks. He was flying all over Europe on cheap plane tickets, staying in hostels and I had no idea with who. His Barcelona incident was a huge wake up call. Thats why I’m here to give my hard earned advice to other parents so tragedy can hopefully be averted. We were so lucky. But the truth is it can happen even here in the US. It’s important to teach your kid to be vigilant and street smarts and equally as important to keep track of the ones you love. Watching out for their safety is not controlling them. Huge difference.

Sorry helicopter mom, but this is not a story about him being in danger. You're telling this sorry like it was a close call, but it wasn't. If there's a lesson here, it's don't walk out of a nightclub without your phone and also maybe don't follow your kids so obsessively.

Um, yeah, did I ever say that wasn’t the lesson? He was stupid to walk out of the club without his phone and get lost in Barcelona hours on end. And he actually was in danger, did you not read that he also had a knife pulled on him by a gang of migrants? Do you actually think I care about what some random bot thinks about me and my parenting? How about I’ll worry about my kid and give practical advice from what I learned and you do whatever it is you do…because that’s between you, your kid and the fickle luck of life. Wishing you the best

Your son broke a world record going four hours in Barcelona without finding someone who could speak English.

How do you get through life carrying all that anger? You must be the “look outside for war zone” poster too. Must be tough feeling so bitter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think part of the issue is lack of familiarity with neighborhoods. Apparently this is a cool bar but in a terrible neighborhood. The kids probably just know it as the place to go. I remember in the 90s there was a cool bar on 14th street and back then there was a gang turf battle over 14th street. And older colleague told me be sure to just take a cab right there and take a cab right back -/ don’t try to walk to metro as the area around the bar had a lot of shootings. Kids go to other countries and don’t know the neighborhoods so are more at risk.

+1 There are many Trip Advisor reviews that mention safety issues in that area.

Sketchy area at night. Nearby neighborhoods not safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This hits so close to home and my heart. My son recently was at the exact same popular nightclub Shoko on the beach in Spain. They had a table, it was hot and packed. He left his phone and friends, went outside to get fresh air thinking they’d let him back in because of purchased table. The bouncers refused because the line to get in was 200 long. So he was separated from phone, apple wallet and friends. He had no cash for taxi, no maps spoke no Catalon. After four hours of wandering around Spain he finally found two girls who spoke English who gave him directions to his hotel where he arrived safely scared but exhausted and went to sleep.

Back home in the states I could see on Life 360 that he hadn’t moved from the club in 7 hours. Waited for the club to close and when he didn’t move, knew there was a problem. Had his friends scour the beach for him in the dark in groups worried he was in the ocean because it was so close to where his phone was pinging. Finally heard from him after 15 hours when the club reopened and he retrieved his phone at 3pm Spain time. Was so upset he didn’t find a way to contact me sooner. It was the longest most terrifying night of my life.

That same night one of his friends wallet and phone were stolen. He was also held up by knife point in Italy weeks later. If you have a child studying abroad or visiting foreign countries, you must drill into them street smarts, a few important phrases in the native language, have names and phone numbers of the kids they are with, name of hotel, flight info, rules for check in or please do not let them go. We made mistakes by not doing those things. It’s not Disneyland. They can not go anywhere without their phone. They need their phone in a safe interior pocket at all times and CASH! Such a lesson to learn. Thankfully my son was not drunk so that he couldn’t function. If he had been, my heart lurches and breaks at the thought. This child could have been my boy. I am shaken to the core. This should have never happened but it so easily does. It’s so easy to be caught up in the excitement and glamour of a foreign country. Kids will be kids. Such a beautiful boy who sounds like he was a really great kid. Praying for this family with all my heart. Devastating.

Land the helicopter Mom. Spain and Italy are both far safer than the US. Kids do stupid things sometimes, but they land on their feet and it’s important for their growth. It sounds like your son was fine. Give him room to grow and don’t smother him. You are not doing him any favors!

There’s something different about your kid being so distant and in a place where they may not speak the language and be familiar with the culture. The Europe of today is not the Europe of the past.

I’m the helicopter Mom. Hard agree with you. As someone who has been to Europe multiple times over the decades, it is a much different place than 20-30 years ago, so much more dangerous. But even then it wasn’t safe. I was chased down a back alley by a man with a knife not far from the Spanish steps, barely made it to safety. It’s why I knew to keep a watch on my kid. Even then I was waaay too lax for the first few weeks. He was flying all over Europe on cheap plane tickets, staying in hostels and I had no idea with who. His Barcelona incident was a huge wake up call. Thats why I’m here to give my hard earned advice to other parents so tragedy can hopefully be averted. We were so lucky. But the truth is it can happen even here in the US. It’s important to teach your kid to be vigilant and street smarts and equally as important to keep track of the ones you love. Watching out for their safety is not controlling them. Huge difference.

Sorry helicopter mom, but this is not a story about him being in danger. You're telling this sorry like it was a close call, but it wasn't. If there's a lesson here, it's don't walk out of a nightclub without your phone and also maybe don't follow your kids so obsessively.

Um, yeah, did I ever say that wasn’t the lesson? He was stupid to walk out of the club without his phone and get lost in Barcelona hours on end. And he actually was in danger, did you not read that he also had a knife pulled on him by a gang of migrants? Do you actually think I care about what some random bot thinks about me and my parenting? How about I’ll worry about my kid and give practical advice from what I learned and you do whatever it is you do…because that’s between you, your kid and the fickle luck of life. Wishing you the best

Your son broke a world record going four hours in Barcelona without finding someone who could speak English.

How do you get through life carrying all that anger? You must be the “look outside for war zone” poster too. Must be tough feeling so bitter.

Not remotely angry. I'm just tired of posters who turn real tragedies involving others into pseudo tragedies about them. Nothing happened to Helicopter Mom's kid. He was not injured and was never in danger. He was just plain stupid. And had she not been tracking him she'd be none the wiser about any of it.