Ten Year old on ski trip.

[Saski]

My son (almost 10.5 years, in year five) is meant to be going on the school ski trip (abroad - Alps) over half term. He was enthusiastic at the prospect nine-odd months ago and now has seriously cold feet, tears at bedtime, etc.

It would be his first time away from home for more than 2 days - his school residential trip, which incidentally, was great.

He will be rooming with three boys from his year, all of whom either are or have been good friends, depending on the day.

I don't know what to do? On the one hand, it seems cruel to force him to go. On the other, he very enthusiastically agreed to go, we've paid, and (most importantly) I think he's going to be filled with regret if he doesn't go.

What would you do?

Hey Saski, please update us when he comes home - I bet he ends up pleased he went x

Good luck Saski it sounds like you did the right thing I'm sure he's having a great time x

So, he got back yesterday! So great to see him. He said he was homesick throughout. I wouldn't do it again, to be honest - I think 10 is too young for a week trip abroad.

He was so happy to be home, and starving - he looks like he'd lost a few pounds! I wasn't hugely impressed, given the fact that it was't cheap and there were 4 kids in a room and they flew Monarch - that he said the rooms were filthy and he was constantly hungry.

Thanks again to everyone for your support - esp those who said no phone. I think we'd have been driving to the alps had he taken one!

Hi Saski, apologies for raising an old thread but I'm in a similar position to yours earlier in the year and am really struggling to resolve things.
We had to commit to a 7 night year 6 residential when our DS was at the beginning of year 5. They had the option to go skiing abroad or on an activity trip in the Uk - as it was so far ahead and my DS friends chose skiing he said he'd go skiing. Since then he's been on a 2 night residential and was dreadfully homesick to the point he'd wandered the corridors on both nights to wake a teacher. He is now adamant that he doesn't want to go away for a week. He is a very young 10, emotionally and academically - whilst I'm sure he would love the skiing (he hasnt been before), I really don't feel that I can force him to go at this point. The school have been quite prickly about his not wanting to go - have had a letter from the Deputy Head complaining about the wasted time and energy so far (I told them in July he didn't want to go - trip is in Jan 14). He has not waivered at all in his decision, even though all his friends are going. I know a lot of parents would say force him to go, but I just feel that it is not the right time for him and that just because he doesn't go now, that surely won't preclude him from enjoying trips in the future when he is better equipped to deal with them? He does sleepovers with friends and is fine. I just wondered what your thoughts are now, having gone through a similar thing as I am still torn about whether we should be making him go.