Would You Let Your 13 Year Old and 7 Year Old.......

I am in the minority and got blasted last summer when this got discussed - but I have let my kids fly to see their grandparents - and it was smooth and fine! My almost 13 year old is doing it again this summer to go camp out of state. My kids were 11, 9, 5 when they did it last year, they were super well taken care of by the airline and it was an adventure!

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I started flying by myself at 11 or 12, and LOVED it--I felt so grown up, and took it very seriously, and never had any problems at all. My sister started at 9--she was always a bit more of a trouble-maker than I was, but understood that responsibility was important when flying on her own. That being said, it depends upon your children, and how comfortable they are with flying, what you know their responsibility level to be, and whether or not they understand and are willing to do it. If they are scared to do it, by no means would I make them. If they're excited about the trip, are comfortable with flying, understand the responsibility, and you trust them, I think it could be a great experience for them!

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I know I used to fly alone from Tulsa to St Louis but I dont know how my mom did that! Thinking of even my 14 year old flying alone freaks me out. Regardless of what anyone else says, follow your gut!

Yes, if it is a direct flight. I have done it on international flights with a 8 and 9 (or 9& 10, somewhere around that age) yr old. The airline personnel will put them in their place if they misbehave. Good luck.

no way. I was in this same position myself with my 11 and 8 yr old and polled my friends. If something happened with the plane, or if they had to stop over and spend the night at a hotel due to an emergency landing or something, I had to think about whether or not they were even fully capable of overseeing that for themselves - or having the money or whatever. It made me feel completely uncomfortable at the idea. For me, it was a gut thing. Every time I thought about it, it never felt right.

My kids flew to see their dad from age 12 (my daughter was 8).

You can go in to make sure they get on the flight...and somoene has to be there to make sure they're picked up on the other end.

A flight attendant is assigned to your child to make sure they're ok.

It's why you pay the extra how ever much for the ticket.

I would however make sure it's NON STOP. Layovers are never good with kids.

Good luck to you.

I flew with my brother to visit my dad when we were 10 and 6 ish.

That said, if you're not comfortable with it, don't be bullied! Listen to your momma intincts; if they're yelling at you not to do, don't do it.

I flew when I was 11 and my sister was 9 - it worked out fine and was easy. I'd follow all the advice of the other moms re. contacting the airlines, etc., do the kids want to go, etc. One thing - is it a direct flight or stopover? I don't think I'd feel comfortable with a stopover unless it was a southwest-type where you stay on the plane. The potential of delays/layovers, etc. with a stopover situation would freak me out too much.

I believe it depends on the children. Some are fine with it, others not.

My daughter flew alone shortly after turning 12. She was completely comfortable with it because we fly often. The thing I would question is the 3.5 hours. That is tough on anyone. Daughter's flight was only 1.5 hrs. We paid an extra $85 each way. On drop off, hubby and I got a blank boarding pass and we were able to stay with her until she boarded. On the way back, my mom had a pass and stayed with her until she boarded. Each time, upon landing, we had boarding passes which allowed us to be there as she walked off the plane. We showed the ID's required and off we went. Worked out great for us.

I say this and I am the one terrified of take off due to an ER landing with blown engine. Daughter was on that flight as well and it did not stop her from getting on another plane either.

You can go over every scenerio in your head of what if's. There are a ton of what if's at home as well. It depends on your children, the maturity level and if they are ready. I am protective but I am not going to be a helicopter and hover over her all her life. She has to have a life, learn to make decisions and be given the opportunity to develop into a responsible, independent adult.

What is right for one family may not be right for another family. You have to use your on judgment for the best option for you.

Best wishes!!

No way, now how, never in a million years!

my thought would be no, but you really don't know unless you are in the position to do this. I have several friends in a divorce situation that are required to do this. The flight attendents watch them and give them special attention. You would get a pass to be able to walk them to the gate and watch them get on, and at the other end the family member would get a pass to pick them up at the gate. Not a lot can go wrong, it is probably safer than letting them ride to the mall in a car. But it would still be very scary watching your child go. As long as they are well prepared, I don't think the length of the flight has much to do with it, it is all up the comfort feeling you have with it.

3.5 is a little long, but really depend on the children. Are the good at reading book, or games for long periods. How do they react to strangers? Are they to friendly, not friendly enough? My son does very well on long car trips and while it has not come up I would probably be okay with him flying solo. But I know other kids his age (10) whom defiently would not be okay flying solo.

Call your airlines and ask about their policies, what they do if they need to delay flights, or unplained stops. Do the children want to go?

Pretty harmless. You walk them to the gate, they are close to staff on the plane, they get off and family (should) meet them at gate since they are under age. It's not like you are putting them on a greyhound bus or something. I think it's just fine. If they were 9 and 7 I'd say the same thing. Good luck!

Only you know your children and the situation so only you can really decide.

I think I would, and pray like crazy the whole time...