My 17 year old son Stuart babysits a sweet little 8 year old girl named Sarah, who lives down the street. This weekend, he asked my if he could go camping for two or three days about 35 miles away up in the hills outside of town.
My son suffers from obesity and depression and doesn't have many friends, but he wants to take Sarah with him on the camping trip. I think it would be a great idea. He'd have a friend with him and he'd even get a glimpse into fatherhood. I'd go too, but I'm a single mother and I have to work all weekend at Home Depot.
I called Sarah's mother this morning to ask if Sarah could go with Stuart and her mother refused to let her go. I can't understand why though! My son is a very responsible young man and wouldn't let Sarah out of his sight. After all, he babysits her several times a month.
I even bought him a new tent for them to share on the trip. Why do some parents have to be so overprotective?
2006-09-19 07:12:23 · 26 answers · asked by NONAME 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
A 17 year old male taking an 8 year old female camping is not a good idea. You will be hard pressed to find any parent who would let that happen. You know your son and know that nothing would happen, but the little girls safety is her parents top priority. They are not being overprotective, they are being smart.
2006-09-19 07:18:47 · answer #1 · answered by homedews24u 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Are you seriously that dense?? I don't blame her. An 8 yr old little girl has no place camping with a 17yr old who suffers from depression or any 17 yr old for that matter! Why in the world would he want to hang out with an 8 yr old girl? How in the world do you know what exactly your son may do in spite of his depression and loneliness? He may very well molest the young girl!! Do you think it's overprotective to not want those things to happen?? Hell After this weird request i hope the girls mother stops letting him watch her daughter all together. You need to help him find friends his OWN AGE to take camping instead of focusing on why he should go with a child who is not old enough even be his friend! If you want to truly help your son ,take him to the doctors to get treated for depression and then walk with him nightly to help him drop some pounds since I'm sure his weight may be a factor of him not having many friends not to mention his depression. I am shocked and angered by your stupidity! Get real lady your sick for even calling the girls mother to ask such a dumb question! i would definitly question your son motives for this camping trip out of town in an isolated place with only the two of them going GET REAL!!! Read your question again and really think about how scary it sounds!
2006-09-19 07:31:52 · answer #2 · answered by Jennifer W 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a mother of 3 girls, 10, 4 & 2... I have to say that a male would never, ever babysit my children...much less take them on an overnight!
His notion of taking the little girl camping may be innocent, but to me it has molestion written all over it.
A 17 year old is way too old to be hanging out with a 2nd grader... heck, when I was 15 I dated an 18 uear old & THAT was wrong.
SOunds like your "Little man" needs to koin some groups that will place him in groups with kids his own age. Scouts, a hobby club ro some other afterschool program.
If depression & low self esteem are an issue, you may want tot take him to a counselor. It will work wonders & will help him
2006-09-19 07:44:47 · answer #3 · answered by jms_ladybug 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I have been the female's mom i might say no, too. that's one element to babysit for some hours yet somewhat yet another to be on my own mutually for a weekend or maybe in one day. Sorry in spite of if it is not suitable in any respect. Even the Boy Scouts won't enable a newborn share a tent with an person except the person is a parent.
2016-10-15 04:21:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO WAY! Get your kid to a doctor....If he wants to go camping with an 8 year old girl, he isn't looking to be her friend. whats more I dont think he should be babysitting anymore either - if her mother is at all concerned he wont look after her again. The fact that you bought them a tent burns me, how could you be so irresponsible? What if your 8 year old boy had a 17 year old sitter that wanted to take him camping?
2006-09-19 08:14:19 · answer #5 · answered by duce 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even the obvious reason aside. Can a 17 year old keep a child like that safe and healthy for that long at a time. We're talking he needs to watch her the entire time not be involved in his own thing. It's a huge responsibilty. Not to mention hugely inapporpriate.
BTW: She is not being overprotective she's showing good sense.
2006-09-19 07:29:11 · answer #6 · answered by SAHM3 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ummm hello she is 8 years old. A 17 year old boy and and 8 year old girl staying in the same tent away from any adults/parents. There is no way in hell I would let my daughter go. I understand your son might be depressed but he still needs to have friends his own age or a lot closer to it.
2006-09-19 07:16:20 · answer #7 · answered by taz4x4512 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The answer should be obvious to you. He is a 17 year old boy and asking to take an 8 year old in the woods by themselves. Don`t you see what is wrong with this picture.
2006-09-19 07:30:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You seriously don't see what is wrong with a seventeen year old boy wanting to take an eight year old girl camping? I am the mother of an 8 year old girl and worry about her safety on a constant basis . Stop him from babysitting and make him get another job with girls his own age.
2006-09-19 07:19:45 · answer #9 · answered by mitchellhearts@sbcglobal.net 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
This could potentially be a set-up for your son. This child can always turn around and say that he did inappropriate things to her. Granted she can say that when he babysits her alone at home; HOWEVER, why would he want to set himself up for that? AND it is a bit unsettling to know that a 17 year old's only friend is an 8 year old child? As a mother I wouldn't want a 17 year old boy to take care of my daughter for a few hours less alone two days????
2006-09-19 07:19:22 · answer #10 · answered by Cheyene K 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋