Opinions Please

[Lady_Hawke]

My son was invited out to his best friends summer house in a town 4 hours away. The family is giving him a ride there - the catch is that he would have to ride a bus home alone because the family is travelling on out of the country at the end of the week.
My son is 13. Responsible and trustworthy - he will have a cell phone. His friend took the same bus alone out to the summer house (he's 13 also) last week.
I'm going back and forth about letting him go.
It would be his first outing alone like this. He's excited. I'm nervous.

[dotsamantha]

Re: Opinions Please

I think if you feel that the bus trip is safe and you have confidence in your son, then he should go on the visit. If he has someone to wait with him for the bus and someone to pick him up then as long as he sits at the front with the driver he should be reasonably safe.

[Terry]

Re: Opinions Please

Not sure if this will help but, my friend sent her 12 year old alone on a plane flight and there was an employee assigned to keep watch of her daughter to be sure she was fine. I suppose that there is only the busdriver on the trips though and that might not be an option?

I agree with dotsamantha, if there is someone there to see him get on the bus and he sits in front .............. and has a cell phone (and is required to check in with you several times during the ride to make you feel better) .......... I would let him go.

hth

[Brook]

Re: Opinions Please

I'm with Terry and Samantha I'd let him go.

[Lisa M]

Re: Opinions Please

Let him go, and call him every 15 minutes (okay, that's the worry mom part of me).

If you decide not to let him go, just make sure he understands that it's not because you don't trust him.

[Jacksuncle]

Re: Opinions Please

It would be good for him to do this alone. Build his confidence incase for some reason he has to go it alone somewhere.

[lil_Buddy]

Re: Opinions Please

I took the subway (in NYC) everyday to school in a time before even beepers.
Junior high and high school.
If you believe he's got anything resembling common sense, I don't see why you shouldn't let him take a bus.

[Lady_Hawke]

Re: Opinions Please

I decided against letting him go. I looked up the bus route online and it wasn't a straight shot - there were two ferries along route.
He was disappointed but is ok with my decision.
I'm going to give him more freedom around our town with riding the bus out to town with his friends. He's only 13 and I like the idea of a group of his friends doing things together - safety in numbers.
Thank you everyone for your help. I appreciate it. Its hard being a Mom.

[dotsamantha]

Re: Opinions Please

I'm sure you made the right decision. I was riding mas transit long before my dad knew but once he found out he got over it. I took the subway from age 13 or so also. I understand your concern with the ferries. There are so many variables involved.

[Lady_Hawke]

Re: Opinions Please

Thanks dotsamantha