12yr old DD flying solo? Am I crazy?

[Flyingfear85]

Posting here as I’m having mixed reactions from people. Also NC as I don’t want this to link to previous posts.
My dd12 is flying from Ireland to uk solo (she wants to) to stay with her GP and then her cousin.
I’m nervous at the idea and was mostly fine until I mentioned it to a few people…some of whom looked at me like I was crazy for allowing this! Am I? Will she be ok?

It's so safe and easy. As long as she doesn't miss the flight!! If she's met at the other end it will be totally painless. It's like being on a cooler coach trip

I'd probably secretly hate it, but I wouldn't let that hold her back if I thought she was capable!

I am secretly hating it, I’d rather she didn’t to be honest 😭😭

It's only 30 mins, she'll be fine!

What a good opportunity for her to develop some independence.

I flew across the Atlantic at 10, many years before youngsters were accompanied, and long before mobile phones were a thing. I was fine.

Is it a daytime flight?

We’re frequent fliers and I think my dd13 would be absolutely fine, especially if flying to and from airports she’s familiar with. Whether she’d want to do it I’m not sure.

It's very dependent on the child, and yours sounds like she'd take it in her stride so I would let her do it. Saying no runs the risk of creating anxiety and putting her off doing things independently.

One of mine would have been absolutely fine doing this at 12, and would have loved it. The other could have ended up anywhere ....

Also, if I saw an unaccompanied child on a plane I would keep an eye out for them ... and I'm sure the vast majority of people would.

When my DD was flying transatlantic aged 13. I talked with her about how some people can just make you feel uncomfortable. If she was unlucky to be sat next to someone like that, she could just get up and go to the bathroom..and then explain to one of the flight crew that she was feeling uncomfortable and ask for a different seat.

I didnt go into detail of what might make her feel uncomfortable or that it might be difficult to find her another seat.

I also then said if someone was making it difficult for her to get out of her seat, she should say she felt sick and was going to throw up as no-one wants vomiting next to them. She thought that was funny and a good idea.

Its a delicate balance of just enough information and not too much at that age.

Yes morning flight and evening on way back

This is such bad advice. The parent being nervous is a terrible reason to stop a child doing something!

Provided that she is mature and sensible, no SEN, is being met the other end by an adult, knows the route and has a phone and knows who to ask if she gets confused in the airport, this sounds like a lovely opportunity for her.

Hopefully not flying out of Dublin?
Last twice we flew with aer lingus from there, they changed the departure gate 2-3 times before departure and my girls and I and several others were running from one end of the terminal to another and nearly missed our flights - we go to gate as soon as announced. This was stressful for us, but could be confusing for a 12 year old, but only you know her capacity to manage difficult situations

Yes it’s Dublin but I’ll put The app on her phone with the alerts and she knows how to read the boards she’ll mote than likely sit in front of one if she can

An aisle seat is a good idea so she can't be trapped in by someone. I'd also get her dad to change the seat to one as far forward as possible so she is near the flight attendants and so she doesn't have to battle all way up and down the plane when boarding and reboarding.

😆

What about Snakes on a Plane though???

That’s good. I was on a late flight with my daughter a few years ago and the drunken, racist Irish fella who was sitting in the aisle across from us was arrested when the plane landed! To be honest I’d be more worried about that than assault.

🤣🤣🤣

@Flyingfear85 when I was her age I drove my parents mad by wanting to map read, be in charge of looking in the Hoseasons book to pick the right caravan configuration (to a specified budget) and so on. Kids can do so much more from quite young - they let me learn and grow in a safe way and that is what you are doing here. I’m sure it will be fine!

OP she'll be absolutely fine. As for the posters saying they would worry about changing gates / times etc, kids of that age are probably far more savvy than us older ones with keeping track of stuff on apps!

I think it's great for her independence and confidence. You've got literally less than one hour of no contact before she's met by family so ideal for her first solo trip really 😊

She'll be absolutely fine.

Who are these people who are telling you it's not fine? Are they people who wrap their kids in cotton wool and won't them do anything alone? A friend of mine has done that and her kids are now early 20s and consequently barely ever leave their childhood bedrooms. They have never had jobs.

Are they people who are scared of flying? Coincidentally I read some survey results today that say that only 41 percent of the British population are not scared of flying.

I fly short haul often enough and would have no problems letting my 13yo do it. If they're sensible and familiar with flying they'll be fine.

I did this all the time from age 12, similar distance, to see my grandparents for the weekend. I had to travel with an ‘unaccompanied minor’ badge, and the airline staff kept an extra eye on me.

I loved it and never had a bad experience, except for one time with a creepy man that the air hostess spotted and saved me from.

Thank you everyone

DW's best friend flew solo from the UK to Iran and back when she was 10 (her Dad worked for BP out there).
YABU.

My DS has been flying aer Lingus by himself for the last year since turning 12. He was well used to airports/flying and is completely happy, it’s a secure environment compared with walking to and from school or meeting friends out. The first flight is nerve wracking but as long as the revolute is topped up she’ll be fine. The last time we were early and instead of waiting DS said “I’m just going to head on through to get a hit chocolate and some new earphones” not so much as a backward glance! I’m sure she’ll be fine!