Someone said to know your kid. I might let my daughter go, because she is ultra responsible and has a lot of common sense. However, it bothers me there are no adults, not to supervise, but in case there's any type of emergency. Kids might not legally be able to handle it.

As for parenting styles, and i believe studies back it up, being in the middle (authoritative) is the most successful approach overs strict authoritarian style and permissive.

OP here. Thanks for all the responses. It is overwhelmingly NO, which is what I hoped and expected.

I am very surprised that two of the kids who were allowed to go on this trip (unchaperoned) are both girls, but the boys' parents are in the NO camp. Now there is discussion about adults chaperoning. My son keeps calling me a helicopter mom. I guess that may be true, but it's all relative. We will probably let them go if there are adults there.

For what it's worth, my son is a late bloomer. These kids don't drink or use drugs. We have been hosting this same group of kids in our home for years and they are more on the nerdy side. They mostly play games and watch movies and there is no romantic involvement between the boys and girls. They really are a nice bunch of kids...I'm just not thrilled that the girls' parents have different parenting styles than mine. I know some of you are snickering and thinking I am blind, but I really don't think that is the case.

Thanks again.

A foreign country
Parts of it are unsafe
A co- ed group of minors traveling together
2 weeks !!!
No adult supervision

It’s hard to imagine what could possibly go wrong. /s


Hell. To. The. No. And I have nerdy, rule following, goody two shoe kids. With good judgment— for teenagers.

Of course your kid is pissed, OP. A two week party with his girlfriend and all the booze he can drink, on the beach. What’s not to love.

But I would be shocked if any kids actually ended up going. Even in the DMV world of “I’ll host the high school junior kegger so my kid has a safe place to drink,” it’s hard to see any parents getting on board with this.

Speaking of which— what’s up with the parents who have no problem with a group of minors turn8ng their house 8nto a party pad for two weeks?

Anonymous wrote:What are the plans for the stay in the Bahamas? I assume if they are at one house the whole time, a lot of drinking and maybe some time at the beach?

I would say yes to Italy before I would say yes to that. I guess I am picturing in Italy the group would be traveling around to different cities and staying in youth hostels, etc. But I would be less enthusiastic if it would be staying at an unchaperoned house the whole time.

My thought would be to say yes to any travel programs with some structure (study/cultural programs, or staying with other families) but no to unstructured vacations until 1) 18 yrs old and 2) paying their own way.

Good post. I am gonna go with this with my rising senior.

I spent the summer I turned 18 travelling South East Asia with a friend. Fantastic experience that 25 years later I still look back on with fond memories.

My family traveled quite a bit and encouraged us to see the world, explore, be independent and adventurous. We were very responsible though given our upbringing as that was important to our parents.

I think you have to know your kid. If they are irresponsible or not independent, then no. But a good cue to really work on starting to increase that as they will be on their own soon and need those skills. College is such an easier adjustment if it isn't the first time you have had responsibilities and independence.

Anonymous wrote:Ask Natalie Holloway for advice.

Exactly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where in the Bahamas?
We visit Nassau often, and we stay on the "good" side of the island in a heavily guarded club. If you go a mile in either direction, it goes downhill quickly. Crime is frequent and corruption is huge. Most houses are entirely surrounded by 6 foot fences for a good reason. I wouldn't let my teens out of the gates on their own.

Why travel to another country if you're only interested in staying in a heavily guarded club?

Many of these resorts are the destination. Not every trip is to experience culture. Have you seen pictures of the Albany resort on Nassau? I'd be thrilled to spend time there if I could afford it

No way.

Anonymous wrote:Ask Natalie Holloway for advice.

poor taste.

Anonymous wrote:No. Several kids for 2 weeks in a foreign country with no supervision is a recipe for disaster. They'll be walking targets if they don't destroy themselves first.

This exactly.

Anonymous wrote:What if it was after senior year of high school, so rising college freshman, but not yet in college? Does that change any of your no's?

No, it does not.

What if it was after senior year of high school, so rising college freshman, but not yet in college? Does that change any of your no's?

Ask Natalie Holloway for advice.

Would not allow him to. No way.

Hell to the no.