To let my DC fly unaccompanied?

[countrybump]

DC are 12 and 9 and travelling to the US unaccompanied. I’ll be handing them over at the airport and the airline will look after them until they are met at their destination airport by a relative.
They’re used to flying (but not unaccompanied) have been to this destination a few times before and are flying with an airline they’re used to.
They’ll only be away 4 nights. Staying with a fave relative in a very exciting place and having the time of their lives.

I’m HATING the fact they’re going to be so far away from me. But I would be unreasonable to say they can’t go wouldn’t I?

I’m so excited for them but hating it at the same time!

Please tell me IANBU for letting them go!

If they're happy about it surely that's all you need to know! They're probably looking forward to such an adventure. My grandchild flew as a UM two days after her 5th birthday but only a short flight within the UK.
This is the start of a long period of letting go, they'll be fine, make plans for your free time and stop worrying about them, they'll not give you a second thought!

Let them go if they’re happy to. I’ve let my dd travel by herself since she was young. The airport escort service is great.

I sit on a flight tracker the entire flight and only relax when my relative lets me know he’s got her but she got so much out of travelling ‘independently’.

My son started flying on his own at the age of 8. The airline staff were brilliant. He was never left alone. I, of course, used to worry myself silly but he was perfectly safe and enjoyed every minute of it. As soon as he was handed over to the relative collecting him, I got a quick phone call to say he had arrived safely.

It’s natural to be anxious about it, but they’re not toddlers and they’re travelling to an English speaking civilised western democracy, where they will have no trouble making themselves understood if they need help. The airline cabin crew will hand them over to ground staff and presumably your relative will meet them at the airport.
Lots of unaccompanied children have to fly home from boarding schools to expat parents. You don’t hear horror tales of lost children in the media, so I assume it all works okay!
Relax, OP. I’m sure they’ll come home bursting to tell you all their adventures, having had a super time.

Thanks for the reassurance! Yes, the DC are happy. And there are two of them so they have each other (and they get on very well).

I will definitely be staring at flight tracker though!

They will have a great time and won’t be thinking about home at all. The time will fly by for them while dragging for me!