Why do some parents support Beach Week?

[Anonymous]

I grew up in the DMV. I went to beach week 40 years ago. It's one of my fondest memories, and the friends I did it with are still my besties to this day.

Two of my kids have done beach week. We've been having discussions since they were in elementary school about the consequences of drinking and substance abuse. We've been teaching pedestrian traffic and driving safety since they were in ES and HS. We've been going to those same beaches since they were toddlers - they know swimming alone is dangerous. They know about rip tides. They've been navigating hanging out with their peers all through HS. It's not like I'm dropping them into a situation they aren't fully prepared for.

They went. They had fun. No one got arrested. The house didn't get trashed. No one had any kind of accident. They practiced living with people for a week before they went away to college a few months later. They had to budget their money and buy/make their own food.

I really don't understand why parents get their knickers in a twist. Yes, bad stuff happens at beach week. Bad stuff also happens all summer long to stupid adults at the beach. There are stupid, immature teens and stupid, immature adults.

If you think your kids aren't mature enough for beach week, then you need to have that discussion with them and take responsibility for not letting them go -- not blame other parents whose kids are more mature and responsible and who are ready to handle the increased freedom (that they are going to get anyway). It's not my job to restrict my kids in order to make you and your children feel more comfortable about not being able to go to beach week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in the DMV. I went to beach week 40 years ago. It's one of my fondest memories, and the friends I did it with are still my besties to this day.

Two of my kids have done beach week. We've been having discussions since they were in elementary school about the consequences of drinking and substance abuse. We've been teaching pedestrian traffic and driving safety since they were in ES and HS. We've been going to those same beaches since they were toddlers - they know swimming alone is dangerous. They know about rip tides. They've been navigating hanging out with their peers all through HS. It's not like I'm dropping them into a situation they aren't fully prepared for.

They went. They had fun. No one got arrested. The house didn't get trashed. No one had any kind of accident. They practiced living with people for a week before they went away to college a few months later. They had to budget their money and buy/make their own food.

I really don't understand why parents get their knickers in a twist. Yes, bad stuff happens at beach week. Bad stuff also happens all summer long to stupid adults at the beach. There are stupid, immature teens and stupid, immature adults.

If you think your kids aren't mature enough for beach week, then you need to have that discussion with them and take responsibility for not letting them go -- not blame other parents whose kids are more mature and responsible and who are ready to handle the increased freedom (that they are going to get anyway). It's not my job to restrict my kids in order to make you and your children feel more comfortable about not being able to go to beach week.

Glad your anecdotal experience worked out for you.

[Anonymous]

I don’t get why posters describe their kid as ‘straight A’ student.. as if that precludes them from drinking, drugs and sex. I have 2 kids in college. Neither of them went to beach week but the things happened there with ‘straight A’ enough to involve police. These kids were from an affluent public school fyi and headed to top 25 colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in the DMV. I went to beach week 40 years ago. It's one of my fondest memories, and the friends I did it with are still my besties to this day.

Two of my kids have done beach week. We've been having discussions since they were in elementary school about the consequences of drinking and substance abuse. We've been teaching pedestrian traffic and driving safety since they were in ES and HS. We've been going to those same beaches since they were toddlers - they know swimming alone is dangerous. They know about rip tides. They've been navigating hanging out with their peers all through HS. It's not like I'm dropping them into a situation they aren't fully prepared for.

They went. They had fun. No one got arrested. The house didn't get trashed. No one had any kind of accident. They practiced living with people for a week before they went away to college a few months later. They had to budget their money and buy/make their own food.

I really don't understand why parents get their knickers in a twist. Yes, bad stuff happens at beach week. Bad stuff also happens all summer long to stupid adults at the beach. There are stupid, immature teens and stupid, immature adults.

If you think your kids aren't mature enough for beach week, then you need to have that discussion with them and take responsibility for not letting them go -- not blame other parents whose kids are more mature and responsible and who are ready to handle the increased freedom (that they are going to get anyway). It's not my job to restrict my kids in order to make you and your children feel more comfortable about not being able to go to beach week.

Glad your anecdotal experience worked out for you.

Cool snark, but DP, and way worse stuff happens in a single passing period, in a school restroom, during a standard school day... ...you might wanna prepare yourself for reality.

Sounds like PP was a good parent, which many kids are lacking these days. So if you're worried about your own kid, maybe try doing your job as a parent first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in the DMV. I went to beach week 40 years ago. It's one of my fondest memories, and the friends I did it with are still my besties to this day.

Two of my kids have done beach week. We've been having discussions since they were in elementary school about the consequences of drinking and substance abuse. We've been teaching pedestrian traffic and driving safety since they were in ES and HS. We've been going to those same beaches since they were toddlers - they know swimming alone is dangerous. They know about rip tides. They've been navigating hanging out with their peers all through HS. It's not like I'm dropping them into a situation they aren't fully prepared for.

They went. They had fun. No one got arrested. The house didn't get trashed. No one had any kind of accident. They practiced living with people for a week before they went away to college a few months later. They had to budget their money and buy/make their own food.

I really don't understand why parents get their knickers in a twist. Yes, bad stuff happens at beach week. Bad stuff also happens all summer long to stupid adults at the beach. There are stupid, immature teens and stupid, immature adults.

If you think your kids aren't mature enough for beach week, then you need to have that discussion with them and take responsibility for not letting them go -- not blame other parents whose kids are more mature and responsible and who are ready to handle the increased freedom (that they are going to get anyway). It's not my job to restrict my kids in order to make you and your children feel more comfortable about not being able to go to beach week.

Glad your anecdotal experience worked out for you.

Every story is ancedotal, you dolt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in the DMV. I went to beach week 40 years ago. It's one of my fondest memories, and the friends I did it with are still my besties to this day.

Two of my kids have done beach week. We've been having discussions since they were in elementary school about the consequences of drinking and substance abuse. We've been teaching pedestrian traffic and driving safety since they were in ES and HS. We've been going to those same beaches since they were toddlers - they know swimming alone is dangerous. They know about rip tides. They've been navigating hanging out with their peers all through HS. It's not like I'm dropping them into a situation they aren't fully prepared for.

They went. They had fun. No one got arrested. The house didn't get trashed. No one had any kind of accident. They practiced living with people for a week before they went away to college a few months later. They had to budget their money and buy/make their own food.

I really don't understand why parents get their knickers in a twist. Yes, bad stuff happens at beach week. Bad stuff also happens all summer long to stupid adults at the beach. There are stupid, immature teens and stupid, immature adults.

If you think your kids aren't mature enough for beach week, then you need to have that discussion with them and take responsibility for not letting them go -- not blame other parents whose kids are more mature and responsible and who are ready to handle the increased freedom (that they are going to get anyway). It's not my job to restrict my kids in order to make you and your children feel more comfortable about not being able to go to beach week.

Excellent post. We parent very much like you do and are letting our daughter go to beach week. It’s really not that big of a deal as people make it out to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in the DMV. I went to beach week 40 years ago. It's one of my fondest memories, and the friends I did it with are still my besties to this day.

Two of my kids have done beach week. We've been having discussions since they were in elementary school about the consequences of drinking and substance abuse. We've been teaching pedestrian traffic and driving safety since they were in ES and HS. We've been going to those same beaches since they were toddlers - they know swimming alone is dangerous. They know about rip tides. They've been navigating hanging out with their peers all through HS. It's not like I'm dropping them into a situation they aren't fully prepared for.

They went. They had fun. No one got arrested. The house didn't get trashed. No one had any kind of accident. They practiced living with people for a week before they went away to college a few months later. They had to budget their money and buy/make their own food.

I really don't understand why parents get their knickers in a twist. Yes, bad stuff happens at beach week. Bad stuff also happens all summer long to stupid adults at the beach. There are stupid, immature teens and stupid, immature adults.

If you think your kids aren't mature enough for beach week, then you need to have that discussion with them and take responsibility for not letting them go -- not blame other parents whose kids are more mature and responsible and who are ready to handle the increased freedom (that they are going to get anyway). It's not my job to restrict my kids in order to make you and your children feel more comfortable about not being able to go to beach week.

Geez. NP. Terrible post. And you sound like a not so nice person frankly. The fact that accidents happened to other people do not make them stupid. And the fact that it did not happen to you does not make you a perfect parent. Statistically speaking, it was not probable to happen anyway. You can do your best to improve your statistics a bit, but things happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just got into a disagreement with my HS senior because for the....umpteenth time, I said no to him going to Beach Week. He tried to use the fact that a family friend of ours is letting their son go to Beach Week, as if that should mean we should do the same for him.

My first prompt to him was "Who's he going with?" to which he couldn't answer.

But it just boggles my mind that parents PAY MONEY to leave their 17 or 18-year-old kid alone in a house or hotel room with a bunch of other people that same age for a WEEK, and think it's a good idea? How or why? I obviously am under no illusions that teens can't or won't try to find ways to have drugs, sex or drink, by why PAY for them to do so with a free pass? That's insane to me.

He's trying to make me feel like I'm the bad guy, but what am I missing? Why is sending your senior to Beach Week a good idea??

Are you afraid your son will get pregnant?

[Anonymous]

A better question is, why more parents don't support beach week? It would be best if you cut your kids some slack. They'll be off on their own soon enough. No time like the present to begin being responsible for themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just got into a disagreement with my HS senior because for the....umpteenth time, I said no to him going to Beach Week. He tried to use the fact that a family friend of ours is letting their son go to Beach Week, as if that should mean we should do the same for him.

My first prompt to him was "Who's he going with?" to which he couldn't answer.

But it just boggles my mind that parents PAY MONEY to leave their 17 or 18-year-old kid alone in a house or hotel room with a bunch of other people that same age for a WEEK, and think it's a good idea? How or why? I obviously am under no illusions that teens can't or won't try to find ways to have drugs, sex or drink, by why PAY for them to do so with a free pass? That's insane to me.

He's trying to make me feel like I'm the bad guy, but what am I missing? Why is sending your senior to Beach Week a good idea??

Are you afraid your son will get pregnant?

Lol...exactly. Time to cut the cord, dad. They'll find other ways to do everything you're so afraid of anyway. How is it 2024 and people still haven't figured out teenagers? Hint: keeping them locked up will do the exact opposite of what you want them to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in the DMV. I went to beach week 40 years ago. It's one of my fondest memories, and the friends I did it with are still my besties to this day.

Two of my kids have done beach week. We've been having discussions since they were in elementary school about the consequences of drinking and substance abuse. We've been teaching pedestrian traffic and driving safety since they were in ES and HS. We've been going to those same beaches since they were toddlers - they know swimming alone is dangerous. They know about rip tides. They've been navigating hanging out with their peers all through HS. It's not like I'm dropping them into a situation they aren't fully prepared for.

They went. They had fun. No one got arrested. The house didn't get trashed. No one had any kind of accident. They practiced living with people for a week before they went away to college a few months later. They had to budget their money and buy/make their own food.

I really don't understand why parents get their knickers in a twist. Yes, bad stuff happens at beach week. Bad stuff also happens all summer long to stupid adults at the beach. There are stupid, immature teens and stupid, immature adults.

If you think your kids aren't mature enough for beach week, then you need to have that discussion with them and take responsibility for not letting them go -- not blame other parents whose kids are more mature and responsible and who are ready to handle the increased freedom (that they are going to get anyway). It's not my job to restrict my kids in order to make you and your children feel more comfortable about not being able to go to beach week.

Geez. NP. Terrible post. And you sound like a not so nice person frankly. The fact that accidents happened to other people do not make them stupid. And the fact that it did not happen to you does not make you a perfect parent. Statistically speaking, it was not probable to happen anyway. You can do your best to improve your statistics a bit, but things happen.

Correct. The PP is convinced that her teens are so well-educated and responsible and their connection with their teens is so tight that they can predict that their teens will be completely responsible and not engage in high-risk behavior.

I’m sure the parents of teens who got involved in things that got them arrested during Beach Week also convinced themselves of the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just got into a disagreement with my HS senior because for the....umpteenth time, I said no to him going to Beach Week. He tried to use the fact that a family friend of ours is letting their son go to Beach Week, as if that should mean we should do the same for him.

My first prompt to him was "Who's he going with?" to which he couldn't answer.

But it just boggles my mind that parents PAY MONEY to leave their 17 or 18-year-old kid alone in a house or hotel room with a bunch of other people that same age for a WEEK, and think it's a good idea? How or why? I obviously am under no illusions that teens can't or won't try to find ways to have drugs, sex or drink, by why PAY for them to do so with a free pass? That's insane to me.

He's trying to make me feel like I'm the bad guy, but what am I missing? Why is sending your senior to Beach Week a good idea??

Are you afraid your son will get pregnant?

Lol...exactly. Time to cut the cord, dad. They'll find other ways to do everything you're so afraid of anyway. How is it 2024 and people still haven't figured out teenagers? Hint: keeping them locked up will do the exact opposite of what you want them to do.

You say you know teenagers and yet you advocate that parents trust they’ll go to the beach and behave like angels? And you want parents to be on the hook for this from a liability perspective since teens cannot rent beach houses in their own?

You know teens to be reliable, predictable and responsible when adults aren’t watching? That doesn’t jibe with reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just got into a disagreement with my HS senior because for the....umpteenth time, I said no to him going to Beach Week. He tried to use the fact that a family friend of ours is letting their son go to Beach Week, as if that should mean we should do the same for him.

My first prompt to him was "Who's he going with?" to which he couldn't answer.

But it just boggles my mind that parents PAY MONEY to leave their 17 or 18-year-old kid alone in a house or hotel room with a bunch of other people that same age for a WEEK, and think it's a good idea? How or why? I obviously am under no illusions that teens can't or won't try to find ways to have drugs, sex or drink, by why PAY for them to do so with a free pass? That's insane to me.

He's trying to make me feel like I'm the bad guy, but what am I missing? Why is sending your senior to Beach Week a good idea??

Are you afraid your son will get pregnant?

Lol...exactly. Time to cut the cord, dad. They'll find other ways to do everything you're so afraid of anyway. How is it 2024 and people still haven't figured out teenagers? Hint: keeping them locked up will do the exact opposite of what you want them to do.

You say you know teenagers and yet you advocate that parents trust they’ll go to the beach and behave like angels? And you want parents to be on the hook for this from a liability perspective since teens cannot rent beach houses in their own?

You know teens to be reliable, predictable and responsible when adults aren’t watching? That doesn’t jibe with reality.

DP..but...omg...so dramatic. Beach Week happens every year. Your kid will be fine. You sound like you could use some parenting help. I hope you seek it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in the DMV. I went to beach week 40 years ago. It's one of my fondest memories, and the friends I did it with are still my besties to this day.

Two of my kids have done beach week. We've been having discussions since they were in elementary school about the consequences of drinking and substance abuse. We've been teaching pedestrian traffic and driving safety since they were in ES and HS. We've been going to those same beaches since they were toddlers - they know swimming alone is dangerous. They know about rip tides. They've been navigating hanging out with their peers all through HS. It's not like I'm dropping them into a situation they aren't fully prepared for.

They went. They had fun. No one got arrested. The house didn't get trashed. No one had any kind of accident. They practiced living with people for a week before they went away to college a few months later. They had to budget their money and buy/make their own food.

I really don't understand why parents get their knickers in a twist. Yes, bad stuff happens at beach week. Bad stuff also happens all summer long to stupid adults at the beach. There are stupid, immature teens and stupid, immature adults.

If you think your kids aren't mature enough for beach week, then you need to have that discussion with them and take responsibility for not letting them go -- not blame other parents whose kids are more mature and responsible and who are ready to handle the increased freedom (that they are going to get anyway). It's not my job to restrict my kids in order to make you and your children feel more comfortable about not being able to go to beach week.

Geez. NP. Terrible post. And you sound like a not so nice person frankly. The fact that accidents happened to other people do not make them stupid. And the fact that it did not happen to you does not make you a perfect parent. Statistically speaking, it was not probable to happen anyway. You can do your best to improve your statistics a bit, but things happen.

Correct. The PP is convinced that her teens are so well-educated and responsible and their connection with their teens is so tight that they can predict that their teens will be completely responsible and not engage in high-risk behavior.

I’m sure the parents of teens who got involved in things that got them arrested during Beach Week also convinced themselves of the same thing.

The unhinged response we all knew was coming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in the DMV. I went to beach week 40 years ago. It's one of my fondest memories, and the friends I did it with are still my besties to this day.

Two of my kids have done beach week. We've been having discussions since they were in elementary school about the consequences of drinking and substance abuse. We've been teaching pedestrian traffic and driving safety since they were in ES and HS. We've been going to those same beaches since they were toddlers - they know swimming alone is dangerous. They know about rip tides. They've been navigating hanging out with their peers all through HS. It's not like I'm dropping them into a situation they aren't fully prepared for.

They went. They had fun. No one got arrested. The house didn't get trashed. No one had any kind of accident. They practiced living with people for a week before they went away to college a few months later. They had to budget their money and buy/make their own food.

I really don't understand why parents get their knickers in a twist. Yes, bad stuff happens at beach week. Bad stuff also happens all summer long to stupid adults at the beach. There are stupid, immature teens and stupid, immature adults.

If you think your kids aren't mature enough for beach week, then you need to have that discussion with them and take responsibility for not letting them go -- not blame other parents whose kids are more mature and responsible and who are ready to handle the increased freedom (that they are going to get anyway). It's not my job to restrict my kids in order to make you and your children feel more comfortable about not being able to go to beach week.

Geez. NP. Terrible post. And you sound like a not so nice person frankly. The fact that accidents happened to other people do not make them stupid. And the fact that it did not happen to you does not make you a perfect parent. Statistically speaking, it was not probable to happen anyway. You can do your best to improve your statistics a bit, but things happen.

Correct. The PP is convinced that her teens are so well-educated and responsible and their connection with their teens is so tight that they can predict that their teens will be completely responsible and not engage in high-risk behavior.

I’m sure the parents of teens who got involved in things that got them arrested during Beach Week also convinced themselves of the same thing.

The unhinged response we all knew was coming.

Not indulging in wishful thinking is not the same thing as being “unhinged.”