Would you let your 13 year old travel internationally with another family for a month?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| If he's mature enough?, I see no problem with it. I would have let my daughter go when she was 13, but my youngest who is almost 13 would be an absolute no. You know your kid best. Since he's with people he knows it's not like he's going to be backpacking through China on his own. |
Anonymous
| No, because of medical care in case of an emergency and potential language issues (does your son speak any Chinese?). It is simply a very long time, and he is not that unlikely to get sick (the family will be more used to the bugs over there so may not be as careful as a tourist would be). I would say yes to France, Germany, the UK etc. |
Anonymous
| No. There are so many things I would be concerned about. |
Anonymous
| Hell no. |
Anonymous
| Depends on the kid. I would definitely let my 13 yr old daughter go, but she's an adventurous, mature kid. Join WhatsApp and you can text him (unless China blocks that one). I traveled solo as a teen and it was invaluable to my sense of self. Seeing the world through the eyes of the people who live there is a truly special experience. |
Anonymous
He is clearly going with a financially established family to major cities. I don’t think the developing part really applies. |
Anonymous
| I would let him go and make sure he understands that he is in a foreign country and they have different rules. Spend a day binge watching Locked Up Abroad so that he see it is no joke when you get in trouble in a foreign country. And not all countries care that you are a minor. |
Anonymous
+1. Excellent opportunity, so unless I had a compelling reason to say no (didn't trust the family, didn't trust my child, had significant objections to the proposed itinerary) I would allow it without much further deliberation. |
Anonymous
|
Get him a flex ticket so that he can fly back earlier if he misses home too much. Discuss this possibility with the host family so that you all have a plan B. The kid will probably feel more comfortable too if he knows he can fly back anytime.
He should learn basic Chinese language and also know what to do if he gets lost and his cell doesn’t work. |
Anonymous
| 15, yes. 13, no. |
Anonymous
| Yes in a heartbeat. We took DS's friend on a trip to a developing country -age 11 or 12 can't remember- and it worked out well. Still waiting for that reciprocation ... |
Anonymous
| No. |
Anonymous
| Absolutely! What a great opportunity! |
Anonymous
|
Yes. I might see if I could come over for part of the trip, too. Not because I don't trust my DS, but because I love travelling in Asia. Presumably you know the family well, and don't have concerns about the mother and your son's friend. I didn't let my 13 yr old go to FL with his friend over spring break because I didn't know the parents AT ALL. But I did send him to Germany last year for a week with other friends. It really just boils down to knowing your child, his comfort level, etc. Make sure he's well prepared for all eventualities, and then realize something will come up that you didn't prep for. It will be a great learning experience for him.
China is an amazing country, and hardly third world. Clearly some of these PPs have never set foot in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shenzhen or Guangzhou. This is not a third world country--but it IS different from the US. |
Anonymous
| If the opportunity will be there in 2 years then I would wait. He will certainly get more from the experience if he’s older and you will have more time to build his independence and make personal arrangements. |