Should a 12 year old girl be allowed to go on 3 day ski trip to the mountains with her school?

Question

Their trip is in January, worst time of year for weather, and poor driving conditions. There will be 50 students from grades 7 to 9 with 4 chaperones and they will be staying for 2 nights. I think she is too young. Kids this age don't always use the best judgement & don't know how to handle all situations when they arrise (even adults arn't great at this.) I;m not comfortable letting her go

Answer 1

I would not allow it unless I could be one of the chaperones. Don't trust your children with anyone. Especially something like skiing. That could be very dangerous. I personally would not allow it, but I do admit to being overprotective.

But based on what you listed about driving conditions, worst time of the year, she's too young, and you are not comfortable letting her go. Well, those are all of your answers. What if something drastic happened and you knew in your heart that it wasn't the right thing for her to do at that time. You are the one in control of the situation. Take that stance and do what's best for your child. Don't second guess yourself.

Answer 2

If it's a school activity then why not ,,,, 50 kids with 4 chaperone's ='s 12.5 kids to each person ,,,, I don't think that ratio is too demanding for the adults ,,,, If one or more chaperone's can't handle 12 kids then they shouldn't be going in the first place and replaced with people that can,,,, You have to start trusting your daughter at some point in her life so this sounds like a good starter to me but only you know your daughter not anyone else answering this question ,,,, You just mentioned 50 students of various ages and not gender but that shouldn't be a problem either really ,,,, Your little girl is growing up so it's time to place a little trust in her and allow her to feel that she has that trust ,,,, The only time to display any distrust is when she's done something to warrant it ,,,, I know you are going to get allot of answers contrary to it but maybe these people giving a negative answer are probably looking at themselves when they were at that age and what they might have done given the same opportunity ,,,, But this is your daughter we are discussing here not them ,,,, Like I said ,,,, You know your daughter better than anyone else ,,,, What are you inclined to allow or not allow and for what reasons ,,,, I'm guessing that she want's to go ,,,, She's 12 now and fast approaching an age where you aren't going to be able hold her back from what she wants to do anyway ,,,, I think it would be great to let her have the chance to prove herself ,,,, I don't think it would hurt for you to let her know about your apprehentions though ,,,, All you can do about that is get her input and see what she says ,,,, Letting her know what worries you could also put her on her toes too ,,,, If you do have serious apprehentions about this whole thing then why couldn't you consider volunteering as an added chaperone ,,,, I think it could be a welcomed idea and reduce that ratio to 10 kids apiece ,,, This would eliminate allot of your problems with it I think ,,,, I"m a parent of 5 and I faced similar problems with each and was never sorry that I allowed them to go on what ever it was ,,,, Good luck with what ever you deside ,,,, Yoda said that ,,,,

Answer 3

You are the parent. if you're not comfortable, then don't let her go. However, I think you should talk to the school to discuss your fears. Talk to some of the parents of other kids that are going. Personally, I tend to agree with you, but it would also depend on where they are going. If you're going to nuts for the 3 days that she's gone, then don't let her go. Just give her valid reasons why. Has she given you reasons to think she would use poor judgement? Have you sat down with her to discuss the trip, expectations, your fears? Has she ever gone away without you before?

The thing is Mom...You need to start letting go a little bit. It's hard, but you need to have faith that you've done a really good job raising your daughter. Have her call you, or get the phone numbers where you can reach her and agree on a time that you will call her.

The 5th graders in my state do something called Natures Classroom where they go away for 4 days. I was scared when my daughters went, but I had to believe they would be ok, otherwise I'd be a wreck(which I was anyway). By middle school, you need to start stretching the apron strings. Chaperoned trips are the best way to start.

Ask yourself...Do you trust her?

Answer 4

I was approached with this same question from my 13 year old a month ago. I say no way. She is too young to be taking trips like that. 4 adults w/ 50 students, that school has some problems. How the heck are 4 adults going to keep up with all those kids. She may be ticked when you tell her no but she'll get over it. My daughter isn't going on her trip either. They are too impressional and naive at that age.

Answer 5

I don't think it's her age so much as it is the amount of chaperones. I wouldn't feel comfortable with it either. Maybe, you can get the school to increase the number of chaperones or maybe even you can volunteer to feel comfortable about it. I wouldn't let her go at all if it makes you nervous though.

Answer 6

Sorry, but I don't think she should be allowed to go. She's too young, there are not enough chaperones (50 kids and only 4 chaperones??), just too many things could go wrong. Maybe when she's older, but not a age 12.

Answer 7

i know the feeling, my son {13} also would like to go on a ski trip with his school.you are right kids don't always make the right choices, nor do they know what to do in all situations. but you made a good point, neither do adults! you need to really try to put trust in your daughter.if you don't allow her to learn and grow, she as an adult will not be able to make the right choices. because she was not given the opportunity as a child. i know its scary, but when she comes home and tells you how much fun she had and the things that she learned, you will be happy that you gave her the chance to grow.PS, my son is going!

Answer 8

I would let her go. I believe that children should experiance things they may not to for a while. I have never been skiing and I live in Utah!
You should just let her know the rules and things. Plus let her know that she can call you at anytime if anything happens. I went to yearbook camp last summer and shared a hotel room with 2 other girls. I had a great time I don't know if I will do it again just becuase I am going to be high school.

Answer 9

Your defiantly more spoiled then me and most people in the world but what I think that really matters is if you are bratty, rude or if you beg your parents to get every thing you want, otherwise if your nice and funny (in the good way) then I think your not spoiled. Also the word spoiled can also be a mean name that people can give you even if your not spoiled. I know that i call my little sister that even though she is NOT spoiled.

Answer 10

whats wrong with letting her go? it will be a great experience! she will be with her friends, and learn [if not already] to ski, and its only for THREE days! if you decide not to let her go, she wont understand why and think your either too strict and hate u for a certain amount of time, or think there is something wrong with her and that maybe she did something wrong for u to not let her go. cmon its 3 days,
it seems like ur a little over protected; your daughter will get older and eventually one day u'll have to let her go. and maybe this is the starting point; but u cant protect her forever; and u cant hide her from the realities of the world; and going on a ski trip for 3 days sounds like a fun thing for a 12 year old. let her get out.