13 yr old daugher invited on holiday with friend's family

[EveCharlotte]

Am I worrying unnecessarily? Our daughter (13) has very kindly been invited on a 2 week holiday abroad in the summer with a friend's family. We know the friend quite well (she's lovely) but don't know the family. We have arranged to meet up with the parents for a chat, what questions should we be asking without appearing to question their parenting skills? I am worried about safety, both physical and personal and 2 weeks is a long time, what if the girls fall out? Any advice really appreciated.

At 13, with a friend's family? No chance. 16, sure, but no way at 13, especially for 2 weeks.

She can have gone on all the school trips in the world. To me this isn't so much about how your DD would cope, although clearly that will come into it. It is more a safeguarding issue. How well do you really know this family? Do you trust them to maintain appropriate boundaries and keep her safe? Do you trust them to make decisions in her best interest and to be calm in a crisis and put her first? You wouldn't let your kids go on a school trip for a week without the reassurance that all member of staff coming into contact with them have had all necessary checks/ first aid qualifications etc, so why let her go with a family you don't actually know?

My DD will be 13 this year and I probably wouldn't allow it for 2 weeks.
1 week or a long weekend but not two and then only with people we had known for a while.
I wouid be more concerned about fallout and emotional issues than actual safety

Only if I knew the family really well & im
Not over-protective. My DD (14) went with her cousin & parents, and although I'm not a big fan of my BIL in a lot of ways, I trust him implicitly so let her.

My DD went to Turkey for two weeks with another family when she was 10. We knew them well though, and were completely confident that DD would be looked after. It was only when she got back that I learnt that her friend had had to comfort her through several bouts of homesickness ...........

10 is very different than 13 though, and I would let her go as long as she was happy to do so. I would though check with the parents as to what they were expecting you to contribute, so that it doesn't come as a shock later down the line.

Thank you, I am thinking it's a no because if I felt totally happy about it, I wouldn't be asking. Also a lot of you have voiced the very same worries and issues that I already have and they are wide ranging; personal safety; although she's never been homesick before, I'm uncomfortable with 2 weeks away at 13; I don't know the family properly. Peebles1 suggested something I was already thinking about, but then I thought, I'm obviously not happy with this, otherwise why am I trying to organize a get out early scheme! I suppose I should go back to my first question and that is - am I worrying unnecessarily - I now know the answer, no. This is my first time on Mumsnet and it has been a very positive experience, so I would really like to thank everyone for their considered and valued comments :)