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?

what is his actual issue with you going anyway? What difference does it make to him, is your daughter complaining that you're going to him or something?

She’ll know her way round just as much as any other first time visitor. Does the OP know Atlanta? How will she find her way?

It entirely depends on your niece and her experience of travel.

At 19 I had travelled extensively around Europe, and also gone to Africa on my own, and was quite familiar with airports, flight dramas and coping with strange cities. My son, however, now 20, would definitely not manage the things I did, due to lack of experience.

As an American, I’d say America is NOT the UK. It’s also not America in 1995 when I used to do this sort of stuff. I’d absolutely send my 15 year old off with a 19 year old to London, yes. I would not send them to Atlanta solo, no. Go along on the trip and stay in the background. Personal safety in America is a whole different planet.

I would have no problem remotely with the niece chaperoning. My 19 yr old is easily capable of this. Bonkers to say otherwise

I think you’re being a bit overprotective. She’s 19 so a fully grown adult. Many 19 year olds travel the world alone, some have children, most have jobs… She isn’t a child. Your DD is also 15 so whilst still a child, isn’t a baby. I’m sure they’d be capable of getting onto a flight and navigating to the concert at their age.

This, it really doesn't matter what he thinks, if you want to go just go, he is allowed an opinion but so do you.

I think if she was 19 and going alone I'd be ok with it, but the additional responsibility of travelling with and being responsible a minor in a different country is where I'd say no.

I really don't see the issue with them catching the fight together and getting a cab each way if birth are reasonably sensible.

Atlanta airport is by far the worst airport I have ever had the 'pleasure' of flying in and out of (multiple times). The good news is that the arena is about 10 miles away so it isn't difficult to get to. It has some pretty dodgy parts so I wouldn't be going to a lot of places and would research VERY carefully any hotel you are staying in and where.

There is absolutely no way I would let two girls travel to Atlanta by themselves for a concert especially being foreign (cultural awareness etc). I am North American so am just giving you my advice.

Plus they are travelling internally on British passports which always raises red flags.

Without knowing the maturity levels of the 19 and 16 YO it is hard to say.

My daughter travelled around Asia for 6 weeks on her own aged 19.

My bad, in that case I would go. That simple. The person objecting is the OP's husband, not the girls themselves who might like a girly trip with mum and reassured she's with them. Why wouldn't the dad want that? Is he going to be left to look after other children on his own? Seems an odd thing to object to, having your 15 year old cared for by two adults instead of one.

There is absolutely no way I would let two girls travel to Atlanta by themselves for a concert especially being foreign (cultural awareness etc). I am North American so am just giving you my advice.

This is solid advice, i think the op is also aware the city this is probably where some of her concern is,

A sensible 19 year old should be able to look after a 15 year old in a strange city. But if you're not happy, go along for the ride.

There is no single right answer to this. Some 19 year olds would cope fine with this. I can imagine my daughters doing this and trusting them to manage it fine - they are pretty well-travelled and confident. Others would not. But, irrespective of how your niece might or might not feel about it, you are allowed to decide that it doesn't sit right with you and that you should go along also. That's a reasonable position to take.

Depends on your niece and how well travelled. I’d be happy if it was my 20 year old dd.
My dd worked camp America last year and was responsible for her kids age 14/15 on trips including overnights. She’s age 20 and taking a group of 10 girls to Costa Rica from USA this summer, her co worker on trip is only 20 too. No older adults, they are the responsible adults. When they get there they are at an activity centre with staff.

That's the plan.

No, not at all. Most airlines don't do a scheme like that any more, you have to sign a waiver absolving them of responsibility, then they travel by themselves. So yes, unaccompanied.

As a matter of interest, how old would the niece have to be to be trusted with the OP’s 15/16 year old?

20? 21? 25? 30?

I’d vibe very interested to know at what age any of you do actually cut the apron strings.

A 19 year old and a 15 year old flying together for 48 hours doesn't sound unreasonable to me. I'd probably make sure they have a solid plan, hotel details and regular check ins, but I wouldn't feel the need to follow them.

Loving the cultural knowledge part as if the US diverges from the UK massively! We’re not talking about 2 girls wandering around Syria alone, they’re literally getting on a domestic 2 hr flight in a safe western country then likely getting a taxi to a concert venue and back. Atlanta is a bit rough sure but they’re not walking around alone at night.

What’s the issue? Your dd is 15 not 5 and with a sensible 19 yo. I really don’t see the problem

A lot of kids fly alone at a much younger age. Many people who are 19, or not much older, are left to get on with all sorts of jobs on their own, including looking after kids/vulnerable people/travelling to work during unsociable hours and opening/closing shops etc. They have far less support/access to help than someone in an airport has.
Many people much younger than your daughter have been babysitters.

I would expect a 15 yo to be able to fly alone on a 2 hour fly!

So a 19 and a 15yo will be absolutely fine, they have phone, can be contacted.

It's frightening how anxious some people are, and how unprepared their kids end up.

I have explained it's not about the flight.