Ariana Grande dilemma

[coulditbeme2323]

OK we are spending the summer in Florida. Myself, husband, and children. As it is half work half holiday - we are taking our 19 year old niece for the 6 weeks to help out when we are working.

My girl is 15 and we have managed to get Ariana Grande tickets in Atlanta. For information it's about a two hour flight from Orlando.

Now my husband is happy for our 19 year old niece (who is very sensible) to go with our daughter.

I have said it's a big city, and I would rather go. Not to the concert, but just travel with them.

They only plan to be gone 48 hours.

Who is right?

Very normal - bit geeky even.

So if you where with them how would you get to the concert?

Last time we tried internal flights in the USA we had a weather related cancellation and were stuck in an airport for 24 hours before hiring a car and driving 11 hours from New York to Chicago so I’m probably over cautious but that was very stressful and I wouldn’t put that on a 19yo. Flights get cancelled a lot - like uk trains!

Goodness me ! What are you talking about ?

Cab.

You!

I was replying to a pp

Exactly

So why can't they do that

You know your child best and so opinions from the internet aren't really going to help on this one!

I was 16 the first time I flew to America solo, 17 I went to Italy with a friend for a week again on our own, 19 I went and did camp America like a few have mentioned on this thread. I worked for an international school where 15-18 year olds travelled from their homes abroad to school multiple times a year unsupervised. It's really dependent on the individuals in question. Potentially they'd have a great time and make some wonderful memories together!

They can, but as I said Atlanta is a huge city.

And whilst it's a city that is dear in my heart, it's also not a city without it's problems.

I think some PPs are missing the point a bit, it's not about being able to take a 2 hour flight alone, which I agree should be fine, it's the whole getting themselves to and from the concert and staying overnight in a hotel part of be worried about. And it's not about the 19 year old going, as she should be more than capable, it's the 19 year old being responsible for their 16 yo cousin and whether that's fair/sensible. I'd be a bit in two minds, on the one hand an Ariana concert seems innocent enough and it could be a great adventure if they're both sensible, responsible girls and if they can be trusted to taxi from the airport to a safe, central hotel, then taxi to/from the concert then taxi back to the airport the next day. But on the other I'd worry about them doing silly things like accepting lifts from strangers or trying to use dodgy public transport or wander off on foot through dodgy neighbourhoods if there's a long wait for a taxi, or going off drinking or to meet friends or a hook-up (all things, I have to admit, I would potentially have done at 19 if the same situation, particularly if egged on by or trying to impress a giddy younger cousin). And I would want to trust them to have a sensible back-up plan for if they get split up or their phones die or get nicked, or they get locked out of their hotel - basically saying I wouldn't expect anything truly terrible or dramatic to happen but these are the kind of little things that can ruin a trip particularly if they fall out with one another over them!

II was in Chicago yesterday and there were bad storms coming through late in the day. We made it out only about 90 mins delayed, but flights were being cancelled all over the place.

Surely you take them to the airport they get on the plane get of the other end get in a cab to the concert then same back

An unaccompanied 15 yo would be part of an airline unaccompanied dc scheme so not totally unsupervised.

,yeah this, i know posters are saying i travelled independently etc etc, but it isn't a big deal for the op to go with them for reassurance or even if she had to sort something out,

Could an option be to go with the girls and then you just stay in the hotel and put your feet up? Do you need to attend the concert?

Yep, I’ve since learned it’s really common. Dc were 5yo twins and a 9yo 🤦🏻‍♀️

I’d ask them what they’d prefer. 19 year old may be nervous and not want to take responsibility for 15 year old.

I will add I have had some horrible experiences with internal flights in the US - bumped off, rude and positively aggressive check in staff (one made me cry after we’d missed our connection - not our fault - and I’m a grown up), massive poorly signed airports (LA I’m looking at you). Of course, I expect that the 19 year old can navigate it, but would she prefer you to be there?

I was married and had a mortgage at 19. My daughter was in her own house
with her partner at 19. My other daughter is expecting her first baby at 19. So yes I think you are unreasonable (assuming no special needs as my son is 36 and would need someone with him).

It's right there in the OP - she doesn't want to go to the concert, just be with them for the travel and overnight... But obviously the girls will still likely feel that's cramping their style a bit!

Well the airport would have been aware of your 15 year old flying alone wouldn't they? Im assuming you just didn't drop off and leave them. My dd flew to London from Glasgow at 15 for a youth conference i had to contact the airport as well as the organisers, so not completely independent flyers are they?

You said you would take a cab if you were escorting. Why can't a 19 year old and your dd take a cab themselves?

Since you know Atlanta, what is the risk you have in mind? Safety? Getting lost? Guns?

Since they are gone 48 hours, are they staying in a hotel overnight?

Like PP I was married with a mortgage and a baby at 19. My 15 year old sister lived with me when one of our parents was having treatment for cancer. I went to her parents evening and took her to college open days.

Have you asked your niece how she feels OP? She might want you to come. Of course they can do it, it’s whether or not they should or want to.