Dani-Mani
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,709
Jun 28, 2014 17:36:35 GMT
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Post by Dani-Mani on Jun 4, 2016 3:11:54 GMT
A friend of mine asked me to help chaperone a birthday party for her seven-year-old son. She is going to take him and five of his friends on an Amtrak train from one location in the state to another that's about two hours away by car, perhaps a little longer by train. There will be four adult chaperones, for six children. Parents are welcome to go with the children but have to purchase their own ticket . However one mom is refusing to allow her son to go because she said it's a dangerous idea but with no elaboration on what she meant by that. Would you let your son/daughter go on this trip if you were unable to join them ?
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,684
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Jun 4, 2016 3:15:41 GMT
If I trusted the parents then sure, I don't see why not.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 7, 2024 23:27:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 3:16:11 GMT
Would I? I let my 8 year old take a 2 week long cattle drive down the side of the Sierra Nevada mountains without me and then a few weeks later fly to Space Camp with a change of planes in Atlanta by herself. So yeah, I'm probably the parent that would send her on the train by herself.
But I don't think badly of other parents who don't parent the same way I did.
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Post by redshoes on Jun 4, 2016 3:17:50 GMT
If it is a group of parents/adults that both my child and I knew well and I trusted, then yes. If it's random classmate from school that I see once in a blue moon, maybe not. I would probably ask more questions before making a decision.
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Post by alissa103 on Jun 4, 2016 3:18:53 GMT
It would depend on how well I knew the other parents. DS's best friend (whose mom is MY bff and we hang out with the family socially)? Absolutely. A friend from school whose parents we've never met? Nope. Best case scenario if I didn't know the parents is to go with him.
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Post by hop2 on Jun 4, 2016 3:21:48 GMT
If it is a group of parents/adults that both my child and I knew well and I trusted, then yes. If it's random classmate from school that I see once in a blue moon, maybe not. I would probably ask more questions before making a decision. ^ that
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
Jun 26, 2014 0:30:34 GMT
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Post by finaledition on Jun 4, 2016 3:23:31 GMT
Sounds like a way better adult to kid ratio than school field trips. Heck, it's even better than when I used to travel with my 3 kids. Bet the kids will have a great time.
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Post by Linda on Jun 4, 2016 3:25:12 GMT
sounds like a fabulous excursion!
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Post by bothmykidsrbrats on Jun 4, 2016 3:28:46 GMT
If the entire event is the train ride itself, I would not hesitate to say yes. If they are getting off the train, I would need more information.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Jun 4, 2016 3:36:17 GMT
Would I? I let my 8 year old take a 2 week long cattle drive down the side of the Sierra Nevada mountains without me and then a few weeks later fly to Space Camp with a change of planes in Atlanta by herself. So yeah, I'm probably the parent that would send her on the train by herself. But I don't think badly of other parents who don't parent the same way I did. Same for me, I would, but I wouldn't think badly or judge another parent that didn't.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 7, 2024 23:27:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 3:36:44 GMT
It would depend on the maturity of my child and how well I know the other parents and trust them. If my child is a day dreamer/gawker type who tends to lag behind I'd worry about him/her getting separated from the group. I feel like for *my child* it is probably going to be a better group experience at an older age or I need to go too (which I might not be able to afford my ticket for the trip plus any other activities they do at the destination)
eta: I base my answer on the fact the closest I've come to losing a child was on the subway in NYC when he was 8. He was fascinated with the whole experience and trying to see EVERYTHING. The crowd of people pushing their way on/off the subway car caused me to lose my grip on him and we were momentarily separated. Fortunately another rider heard both our panicked voices and held the door open so we could get together again.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jun 4, 2016 3:38:16 GMT
It sounds like a lot of fun, but I'd go with either of my kids. Just because my kids would get interested in something and lag behind. I didn't allow them out of my sight at that age, so I'd feel better going along to keep an eye on my kids. Plus, I liked to get to know my kids' friends and their parents and this sounds like a good opportunity.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jun 4, 2016 3:38:17 GMT
So a 6+ hour excursion for 7 year olds? TBH - no. It has nothing to do with much other than the fact life is too busy for me to devote an entire day to some random kid's birthday party. For this age group 2-3 hours max. Otherwise you better be a family member.
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Jun 4, 2016 3:42:31 GMT
I would have been fine with it at that age. It sounds like a great little trip. Ali probably would have wanted me to come, too.
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scrapngranny
Pearl Clutcher
Only slightly senile
Posts: 4,826
Jun 25, 2014 23:21:30 GMT
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Post by scrapngranny on Jun 4, 2016 3:42:44 GMT
Honestly, I would probably opt to go along on the outing. Aside from going on the trip, it would strongly depend on the confidence I had the parents going as chaperones. If all the parents were uber responsible I would be ok with it.
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Post by lucyg on Jun 4, 2016 3:46:26 GMT
I would have no problem with it as long as I know and trust the mom in charge, and if I know my kid is at least moderately trustworthy and won't just take off in some strange city. I think it sounds like a great, very different party. But then, I put two 14yo boys on a plane in San Francisco one time, so they could fly to DC with a plane change somewhere in the middle of the country, then take the Metro to Catholic University where they lived in a dorm and attended debate camp for two weeks. Then they took the Metro back to the airport and got themselves home. Now granted, this was before 9/11. But still. And while they were there, they took themselves to our Senator's office one day and requested a photo with her, which they received.
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Post by refugeepea on Jun 4, 2016 3:54:43 GMT
Is it fun to ride on Amtrak? It may vary by location, but I've heard it's kind of sketchy in some areas. I think the fun of being on a train would wear off quickly.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jun 4, 2016 4:12:37 GMT
Only if I knew and trusted the other parents very well or if I could go along. Knowing my kid, she would want me to go with her and she would probably get bored out of her skull. That's a pretty long excursion for a kid that age. Most school field trips don't even last that long.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 7, 2024 23:27:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 4:42:22 GMT
But then, I put two 14yo boys on a plane in San Francisco one time, so they could fly to DC with a plane change somewhere in the middle of the country, then take the Metro to Catholic University where they lived in a dorm and attended debate camp for two weeks. Then they took the Metro back to the airport and got themselves home. Now granted, this was before 9/11. But still. Tugboat moms unite! (Because tugboats are the only vehicle that I can think of that are the opposite of helicopter!
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Post by anniefb on Jun 4, 2016 5:35:51 GMT
If it is a group of parents/adults that both my child and I knew well and I trusted, then yes. If it's random classmate from school that I see once in a blue moon, maybe not. I would probably ask more questions before making a decision. That ^^
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LeaP
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,939
Location: Los Angeles, CA where 405 meets 101
Jun 26, 2014 23:17:22 GMT
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Post by LeaP on Jun 4, 2016 6:06:34 GMT
Yes I would, unless my kid was an escape artist or the parents were out to lunch. My kids have been flying and using public transportation alone for a couple of years. They have changed planes and even been through customs alone.
That said, I'm not sure I would let them ride Amtrak or Greyhound alone. I might be a hypocrite because I can't explain why the subway is OK but Amtrak isn't.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jun 4, 2016 6:43:06 GMT
Cool idea for a party! I would go though as all the other parents of this age group in our circle came to all the parties, too. We were Huey parents. We watched our snowflakes like they were gold.
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Post by anonrefugee on Jun 4, 2016 9:30:45 GMT
But then, I put two 14yo boys on a plane in San Francisco one time, so they could fly to DC with a plane change somewhere in the middle of the country, then take the Metro to Catholic University where they lived in a dorm and attended debate camp for two weeks. Then they took the Metro back to the airport and got themselves home. Now granted, this was before 9/11. But still. Tugboat moms unite! (Because tugboats are the only vehicle that I can think of that are the opposite of helicopter! My heroes!
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Post by AussieMeg on Jun 4, 2016 9:59:47 GMT
4 hours on a train sounds like one very boring birthday "party" to me.
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Post by mlynn on Jun 4, 2016 11:08:28 GMT
On the surface, I think I would go along with it. The 4 or more adult/6 child ratio is good. If something occurs, 1 adult can deal with it and that leaves 2 kids per adult, which means that each child can still have an adult holding their hand.
But I DO have some qualifiers. Do I know the birthday child's parent somewhat well? Do they have things planned on the train? (ie will they be having lunch? will they have a sleeper car to do some activities? Will they be doing something at the destination or just heading back?)
In the end, I might prefer to go along with. But then again, I may not.
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Post by anxiousmom on Jun 4, 2016 11:17:09 GMT
4 hours on a train sounds like one very boring birthday "party" to me. I'd have to know more about it before I said yes...mostly because both of my kids if they had gotten board would take the first exit off the train and I would end up getting a phone call from someone at Disney asking if I lost something. But if they want to go, sure I would let them.
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,092
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Jun 4, 2016 11:20:02 GMT
My older one yes
My younger one I would have gone
Different kids different ability to do that independently at 7
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Post by peasapie on Jun 4, 2016 11:50:59 GMT
Yea I would. I don't understand what is dangerous about it.
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Post by melanell on Jun 4, 2016 12:28:43 GMT
If the entire event is the train ride itself, I would not hesitate to say yes. If they are getting off the train, I would need more information. This is exactly what I was thinking.
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Post by bearmom on Jun 4, 2016 12:32:57 GMT
Aside from 4 hours on a train being pretty boring, sure, I would have let my 7 year old go. Younger dd might have been reminded to make sure she stayed in our world though (she could get lost in her own, imaginary world).
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