Sending your child abroad

[Mumoftwoandover]

Hi !
To cut a long story short, my son has 14 years old and loves travelling. He is very keen on travelling alone and done that before going abroad a few times.
I need some advise rather than from my own family members on how would you face the situation if you were on my shoes.

The issue now is that his dad moved to Dubai last year, we are separated and he obviously didn't think twice to move away neighter about the consequences to our son (we moved from abroad to the UK so that DS could be close to his dad)

I am a protective mum but also gives my son the freedom do enjoy travelling whenever he has the opportunity to do it.

The case is that his dad is basically demanding that I MUST and I will send him to Dubai this holidays...my son don't want to go.

But what infuriates me is the way he is demanding it...firstly by mentioning that he is only 14 years old and have NO say on it...that he must do whatever he tells him to do...I see this as a very disrespectful towards my son. He is only 14 years old, but he is a young lad that is forming his personality and must have the chance to say what he wants to do or not.
I value his opinion and I do believe that if he doesn't want to take a flight to the middle east at this moment where the world is insanely out of control, I will respect his opinion and Won't trow him inside an airplane against his will just because his father is telling me to do it.

I am his guardian, and I am very sad and anguished. I'm in a position where I must protect my son and for the first time step up stronger than his absent dad and say NO, I won't force him, I won't do it !
I know...I sound stronger than I actually are, that's why I need some advise...please

I don't like the situation in the middle east...I don't like the idea of my son being in an airplane to Dubai at the moment.
I never told him not to go...I believe it is a beautiful place full of amazing places to go, but I wouldn't like him to go now....maybe yes in the near future...

Any advice is welcome...thank you

[Mumoftwoandover]

I don't think he would do that, I'm sure he wouldn't to be honest !
He is always too busy and the time he wants him there is about 7 days only ...:(

[FATEdestiny]

Could his Dad take him on holiday instead? That removes the Middle East issue and makes it a fun time for Father & Son instead. I dont know where they'd like - Fiji, Jamaica, Switzerland?

I think the answer will come from compromise.