Ariana Grande dilemma

I think my vote would be to go with them but let them do as much as possible by themselves- cab by themselves, hotel by themselves- and only be on hand if necessary. That way they get a bit of independence without being completely stuck if things go sideways

How on earth is that story relevant to what these 19 and 15 year olds plan to do? 😂

We’ve all got stories of travel gone wrong. I once missed a plane whilst standing next to the gate with my AirPods on! But it’s not relevant.

Definitely go. My Mother and Aunt both in their 60s went on a cruise. They had a shore day and took a road train around the mountains. The road train got caught in a traffic jam. The ship was going to set sail again at tea time. All their important documents and major money etc including passports were on the ship. Fortunately for them they made it back but they were both panicking by that point because it was cutting it very close. Both sensible, educated professionals with decades of life experience yet they almost got stranded in a foreign country with next to nothing. I’m sure your DD and DN will be glad you are going too.

What is the actual problem with you going?

is this just a 'who is right' but it's not actually a problem whether I go or not?

As a 15 yo I was flying internationally by myself including the states & at 16 I took 2 under 7's as well. I'm 57 life was different then 🤣.

but given how the States is at the moment I'd be flying with them & taking them to & picking them up from the concert.

it might be over protective, but so what!? It's not like you can replace them if anything happens is it?

Surely they aren't 'navigating' it though, they'll be getting a cab.

They aren't wandering round Kabul on foot here.

Nope. Not something I said. Sorry if you're confused. Just airlifting the word 'vulnerable' and constructing your own sentence around it is a bit...odd.

You brought the drama - as you know - with your wittering about other people's anxieties and parenting. You have absolutely no clue about any of the people involved.

Maybe try to make an argument without dramatic projections and judgements - it's a bit more civilised.

Not a chance in hell I’d let them travel themselves

Is there that much getting around that needs to be done? Won’t they be flying in, getting an Uber to a hotel near to the venue (I had a little Google and there are loads), going to the concert and back to the hotel (where it will be busy with concert goers) and then an Uber back to the airport in the morning for the flight back. I’m assuming they won’t be doing much exploring, just a literal flying visit.

Yes that’s even harder. Getting out of Wembley is bad enough!

I’d go because I like Atlanta more than Orlando. Seriously, the airport is a hop, skip and a jump from the stadium, so there is minimal risk of anything happening. So I would let them, it’ll be fun and something to treasure.

I’m sorry, but if you’re British, you don’t get to diagnose Chicago weather. 😂 There were no “bad storms” yesterday. It rained somewhat heavily for maybe like 20 minutes with a bit of thunder. O’Hare triggers massive ground stops and delays because it’s running at max capacity right now. You ran into airport gridlock, not a natural disaster.

I'm with you 100 percent, OP. I grew up in Georgia, lived in Atlanta for a while and go back often. It's a great city, still full of friendly, helpful people, but every time I go, I think "has this place doubled in size since my last visit?"

It's the sheer size and potential logistical complications that would concern me more than anything. In fact, after my last visit last year (my best and oldest friend lives there), I told DH that he was going to have to come with me next time as with my advancing age 😊, I could use the help.

Ignore all these people who are giving you a hard time and who have never set foot there, and go with these young women. I would bet they will enjoy the experience more with having you as a guide.

My relative is 15 and flies UK to Atlanta. I don’t see the issue with a 19 year old accompanying a 15 year old at all.

They are completely different countries and are culturally nights and day. I have lived in both. Let’s start with gun culture, or acceptable things to talk about, or the way people approach each other….

Joining the outliers club 🙋🏻‍♀️

it’s absolutely bonkers on here how bubble wrapped some people kids are. I had my own child at 19 and flew from London to LA, LA to New York, and New York back home with her. Didn’t take my mum with me 😂

also a 15 year old is not a child that needs to be looked after! A 19 year old and a 15 year old are perfectly capable of catching a 2hour flight and going to a concert. Could be a memorable experience for them without mum tagging along at the back keeping an eye on them 🙄 seriously they are 19 and 15. Not 9 and 5

Changed as in, safer and everyone is connected to help at a moment's notice?

My point is that a normal 19 yo is perfectly capable of supervising a child on a trip.

And to the OP I would let them go alone.

Seriously?! My 23 year old lives in Australia and has travelled all around Asia by himself. You need to cut the apron strings .

You are very anxious and massively infantilising your daughter. Why is this?

So what, though? Other people their age go to new places and manage perfectly well. It's a normal thing to do.

19-year-olds go backpacking around the world every single year without coming to any harm. They visit places they don't know - in countries where they don't speak the language, too. They go to big cities. That's normal - presumably you know that?

So why do you think it will somehow become more dangerous just because their companion is 15?

They can totally do it. A 15 year old alone probably could although she might be be nervous, but together they will be just fine.

Just walk them through it, particularly timings, it will be good for them.

But I presume they are not going to go out into the sketchy parts? They will get Ubers everywhere? Stay in a nice hotel in a nice neighbourhood? And they know how to use Google maps and how to generally keep themselves safe?

The Arianna Grande crowd will all be teenage girls and their mums so even if there is a bit of a wait for their uber back to their hotel, they’ll be in good company.