Should my daughter go to the school ski trip?

I'm not a parent but I think 9 1/2 is too young to be away for a week without parents unless they are with close relatives. Before I read her age I thought she was at least a teenager. In that case I'd say yes with no problems but for me personally I think that's very young. If you feel comfortable and know the parents that will be there then I'd say let her go if you feel comfortable. I'd give her a cell phone so she can call you if there are any problems and just remind her to be safe at all times and do not go anywhere with someone she doesn't know and always stay with her friends and never go anywhere alone.

I definitely think you should let your daughter go on the ski trip. I know that you are her mom, and it's your job to worry but you can't protect her from everything. She can get a cold just as easily in the comfort of her own home as she can get one out on the ski hill. She may get homesick, but that's just a natural part of being away from home for the first time and I think that it will positively help her independence and self esteem if you let her go.

Wow..9 is a little young. I didn't go on my first overnight trip until I was in 7th grade and I was like 11 or so. It depends on the school and if you trust your daughter and of course how long she'll be gone. I may let her go just so she can experience it. they have chaperones there so i'm sure they're keeping an eye on her and if she catches a cold, she'll be grounded to her room for the rest of the time. they do need to experience things on their own. if you can you can go along with her, if she's okay with that. my friend always had her dad with us and it was kinda fun at times because he had the cash.

It is natural for us as caring parents to be worried for our children when they are staying over away from us. However, we need to learn to let go sometimes and let them experience things for themselves. As a school outing is really a healthy and legitimate activity I am sure you will just have to trust the teachers and host. They are definitely qualified to take care of their charges and your wonderful daughter. Besides she will be learning something about independence, so you should not be too worried. Just give her a few reminders and DO's that you may want her to observe and let her try it out.

My first thought when I read your post was to say yes let her go, but then I assumed she was high school age. I think 9 might be a little young to be gone for that long. Is there any way you could volunteer to be a chaperone on the trip? Thats what I would try to do if she's got her heart set on it.

well, many have responded and my view is similar to most. but still, i'd like to share my opinion. i feel that most daughters tend to mature faster than sons usually. yes there will be many chances for them later on in life still. you could try and give her negative reasons as to why it's not advisable for her to go but if she still seems bent on going, like someone suggested, i think it was maddymommy(sorry if i got it wrong) you could ensure that everything will be fine by talking to the teachers, have the first aid kit with your child, etc. in life, we always have to take risks and gamble. it might be for the good or it might be for the worse. we don't know. she can more or less remember the events at this age so who knows, she might blame you next time for not letting her go and whatsoever. but as a parent, naturally we worry. we tend to imagine what if something happens or goes wrong, this worry is always in us. but we can't let it stamp what we really want to do. like what your husband said, she can learn to be independent. she might miss home, but if just for that reason, she doesn't go, then next time later in life, it'll be tough for her to stand on her own feet. if it were me, i would let her go but i'd also give a little lecture grins. i would talk to the teacher too and let them know what they need to know about her. good luck. don't worry. this is part and parcel of life. it has to come when you are a parent.

I say let her go. I would worry too, she is young but say your prayers and trust God that he will protect and watch over her. I was surprised when you said the trip was for 9 yr. olds, I thought the group would be teenagers. Sometimes we just have to trust our kids and give them wings and let them fly. Sure the worry will never go away, no matter how big and old they get. She will have superision, just think how happy she will be to go and also how grown up she will feel. This trip sounds like a once in a life time thing. If you still have lots of worries, maybe you could arrange to go as a chaperone. She might not like it but you would feel better.

i would say that you should let your daugher go... even though she is only 9, but if she is matured enough and you can trust her to take care of herself, then you should let her go... find out as much as you can from the school how the trip will be organised... the safety, supervision and everything... childhood is the most memorable period in our lives and if your daughter missed this chance, she might not get the opportunity again to spend time and have fun with her friends which she might regret when she grows up... believe me... i can say all of these things because i have a very conservative and over-protective parents as i am the only daughter and i regret it now... i miss so many things in life which i can't get them back again and i can't turn back the time... hope you can make the wise decision... this is only my opinion...

Since this discussion is so old, I'm curios if she went or not. I hope you chose to let her go. Kids need to learn independence. I want to summer camp when I was her age and had a blast. It was a great opportunity to learn independence skills and to communicate my needs to others (a vital skill as I'm disabled). I plan to make my kids (I don't have any yet) go summer camp so they can gain the same skills I did, even if they aren't disabled.

9 is a bit too young to let a child go anywhere BUT I would seriously look at how the trip is going to be run, how many teachers and parents are going to be with the group, the whole ins and outs of the trip and if you think she is mature enough to handle being away from you for a week, then I would let her go. As long as their are safety and security measures in place from when you drop her off at the school or airport right until she gets back home to your front door, then why not? This is her very first trip away from home with her friends and class so I'm sure she will be more excited spending time with them than worrying about being homesick and I know you are worried she might catch a cold. Make sure the class has a first aid kit with them or check to see what medical necessities they are taking. Find out from where they are staying how good the resort/hotel/camping ground is and so on. Find out all you can as it will make you a lot more comfortable and easier to make that decision. I would talk with her teacher or those organising the ski trip and so forth just so you feel comfortable about the whole thing :) I would let her go :)

hmm i am a grand father of three..teenager boys and a nine year old grand daughter..Susan..it is a hard decesion..but yes..i think she should have the chance to grow...it means giving her an opportunity..and i think she will learn more then just ski ing..believe it or not i went to college..from my poor spelling i did not learn much? lol..well, there isno spell check and i am lazy..but i went once and will never forget it and i was over 18..i went to camp when i was 11 and always remember the week i spent..it was great fun and a learning experience as it was a Christian camp..but what is importance is the child..she is only young once..but do what you think is right and can live with..being a parent you will always worry ..no matter what the age..God Bless you for caring so much..

How long at they going to be gone for? Does she have close friends going? Are any other parents going that you know and trust? If she is a healthy child, I wouldn't worry about her getting sick, i'm sure if that happens, they can call you to come get her. Just make sure she had proper clothing and keeps warm. I would get all the details and then decide.

Im not a parent, and I say yes your daughter should go. Have a word with her teachers, they will appreciate you talking to them. Your daughter may indeed miss you, but that's a good thing.

I find it hard to deal with activities like this when our kids are involved. But we should let them be independent sometimes. Field trips and other outdoor activities helps them learn things their own way. When I heard about a field trip my little girl was participating, I fell i miss her more even if i was not there in the same place that time. But knowing shes not in our house makes me miss her so much.