Graduation HS Senior wants to go to Europe with friends

[Anonymous]

My daughter, a HS senior, wants to go to Europe over the summer with 7 other girls--all of them in her class. Has anyone sent their kids on such a trip? What issues did you encounter?

I'm thinking there's bound to be drama between the girls and I wouldn't be surprised for the group to splinter. I'd be fine with a smaller group but I'd also tell her that under no circumstance is she to leave the group to be solo, with another group, with a boy etc. Also, she will be 17 during the trip and most of the others will be 18 so she's requested permission to get a "fake". I don't see the big deal and actually feel she'd be safer with it since she wouldn't be left alone. Do you even need ID in Europe?

Any other thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter, a HS senior, wants to go to Europe over the summer with 7 other girls--all of them in her class. Has anyone sent their kids on such a trip? What issues did you encounter?

I'm thinking there's bound to be drama between the girls and I wouldn't be surprised for the group to splinter. I'd be fine with a smaller group but I'd also tell her that under no circumstance is she to leave the group to be solo, with another group, with a boy etc. Also, she will be 17 during the trip and most of the others will be 18 so she's requested permission to get a "fake". I don't see the big deal and actually feel she'd be safer with it since she wouldn't be left alone. Do you even need ID in Europe?

Any other thoughts?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. I assume you are the teen looking for an argument to use with your mom.

[Anonymous]

No, that trip is for after college. Spoiled brats ask for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, that trip is for after college. Spoiled brats ask for this.

Wow, jealous much? Sorry your life sucks. Let the girl go. She’s more likely to get into trouble in college in a few months than on this trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter, a HS senior, wants to go to Europe over the summer with 7 other girls--all of them in her class. Has anyone sent their kids on such a trip? What issues did you encounter?

I'm thinking there's bound to be drama between the girls and I wouldn't be surprised for the group to splinter. I'd be fine with a smaller group but I'd also tell her that under no circumstance is she to leave the group to be solo, with another group, with a boy etc. Also, she will be 17 during the trip and most of the others will be 18 so she's requested permission to get a "fake". I don't see the big deal and actually feel she'd be safer with it since she wouldn't be left alone. Do you even need ID in Europe?

Any other thoughts?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. I assume you are the teen looking for an argument to use with your mom.

This is seriously the premise for some kind of horror movie. And I'm not overly protective, but when you started trying to justify getting a fake ID? Just... no.

[Anonymous]

OP, reread your post: you are asking if YOU should SEND your KID on this trip. No. If she was an adult, paying for herself, you wouldn't be asking. You would have no role in this and shouldn't have ...

[Anonymous]

What countries? I think it might be an issue if she's 17 and can't get into bars because she needs to be 18.

I'd let her go though. I went every summer in college and was an adult and my parents couldn't say no. I paid my own way though even though my parents are pretty wealthy (It was fun being broke in Europe! Truly! I still look back fondly on hostels)

[Anonymous]

Oh and fake ID?! You'd use a passport. Most bars don't care though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, reread your post: you are asking if YOU should SEND your KID on this trip. No. If she was an adult, paying for herself, you wouldn't be asking. You would have no role in this and shouldn't have ...

OP here. Huh? She will be 17 in December and needs our permission to go on a trip like this.

[Anonymous]

Natalie Holloway

NO!!!

[Anonymous]

I traveled to the UK with a friend the year between junior and senior year of high school. We mostly stayed with her family members around the country, but were pretty independent, particularly while visiting London. I think it can work with a couple of ground rules -- and I would definitely prefer a smaller group. Eight sounds crazy.

1. teen earns part of the money for the trip
2. no fake ID
3. teen has an established itinerary and I can find them where they are supposed to be. (Yes, I know they can take cell phones -- but calling the hotel or hostel where they are supposed to be, and actually reaching them there, should also be possible.)
4. teen calls home at agreed-upon intervals
5. teen stays with friend/s, does not go off on her own


I think it can be a great experience -- it was for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Natalie Holloway

NO!!!

Here is the predictable American fear mongering. We let our kids drive at 16 and buy guns at 18, but God forbid they travel abroad.

[Anonymous]

NO!

[Anonymous]

I would say no. I would give my kid this as a reward for good grades in college

[Anonymous]

Holy crap I can't believe the responses here.

I traveled through Europe after high school graduation, at the age of 17, with a handful of friends. Yes, we drank. No, nothing horrible happened - perhaps in part because in Europe it is NOT AT ALL UNUSUAL for a 17 year old to be traveling by herself / with friends.

I can't believe how ridiculous this board is. Let her be independent. Honestly I can't even imagine telling a 17 year old that under no circumstances is she aloud to "be with a boy". Even traveling alone is a great experience, although I do understand the concerns there, and i didn't travel through Europe alone until I was (gasp!) 18 and finished my freshman year of college.

Anyway, don't let her get a fake ID. That's recipe for trouble. She will have zero problems going anywhere her friends do.