Not sure if this is the right forum, but looking for quick advice, so here goes:
My 15 year old has been invited on an overnight camping trip with relatives cousins of exH girlfriend plus a friend of the girl. They are 13 and 14. No adults present.
I haven't met any of them. My H and son have met the cousins and say they are nice. They don't know the friend.
The trip would be on an island campsite, accessible only by boat. About 5km away from a cottage owned by parents of the friend. These will be the closest responsible adults. Mobile coverage is supposedly there but dubious.
I'm extremely uncomfortable with this for several reasons:
- the island is remote and only accessible with a boat. Once the kids are dropped off for the night, they have no transportation except to call the parents of this friend, who I have no clue who they are
- my son is the oldest and would be responsible for the group. He's a good boy, and very responsible but, again, not really comfortable with no adult supervision at least close by
- the season here has been extremely dry. 200 forest fires currently burning. If there is a fire on the island, there is no way for the kids to get off.
- the campground is small but public. No idea who else might be on the island with them overnight
I explained my concerns to my son, and he understood and now says he doesn't want to go. I feel bad bursting his bubble (he says he didn't want to go that badly) but my gut says "good decision". My exH says I'm being unreasonable and too-risk adverse. I think he's an idiot. My H agrees with me completely. I said I would consider in future so long as we know the responsible adults (i.e. like to know the people who are responsible for my kid). Or my son a little older (16) and in charge of a boat (he sails) they have control of.
Looking for some sober second thoughts. Reasonable or not? Thanks in advance for replies.
My 15 year old has been invited on an overnight camping trip with relatives cousins of exH girlfriend plus a friend of the girl. They are 13 and 14. No adults present.
I haven't met any of them. My H and son have met the cousins and say they are nice. They don't know the friend.
The trip would be on an island campsite, accessible only by boat. About 5km away from a cottage owned by parents of the friend. These will be the closest responsible adults. Mobile coverage is supposedly there but dubious.
I'm extremely uncomfortable with this for several reasons:
- the island is remote and only accessible with a boat. Once the kids are dropped off for the night, they have no transportation except to call the parents of this friend, who I have no clue who they are
- my son is the oldest and would be responsible for the group. He's a good boy, and very responsible but, again, not really comfortable with no adult supervision at least close by
- the season here has been extremely dry. 200 forest fires currently burning. If there is a fire on the island, there is no way for the kids to get off.
- the campground is small but public. No idea who else might be on the island with them overnight
I explained my concerns to my son, and he understood and now says he doesn't want to go. I feel bad bursting his bubble (he says he didn't want to go that badly) but my gut says "good decision". My exH says I'm being unreasonable and too-risk adverse. I think he's an idiot. My H agrees with me completely. I said I would consider in future so long as we know the responsible adults (i.e. like to know the people who are responsible for my kid). Or my son a little older (16) and in charge of a boat (he sails) they have control of.
Looking for some sober second thoughts. Reasonable or not? Thanks in advance for replies.
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