Daughter Going on Vacation

I really don't think she would need anything, but I would get a copy of her birth certificate for SIL to carry with her and if they do decide to fly, just call the airline and see what they require.
As far as a gift goes......maybe a gift card for someplace like Snap Fish so they can make memory books with their pictures when they get home???

You will definitely want to provide a letter ( at least 2 actually) with permission so your take your daughter for a medical emergency if anything came up. It should include the paragraph about having her treated, an image of your medical insurance card, your contact info, and sil contact info. An ID for your daughter is also a great idea. There are also tattoos you can buy (safety tats or similar) that you can write on the info. Your daughter would wear it on her arm and can attach to a pack if she carries one.. It gives contact info.
I plan to get some for this summer when we take day trips and to the zoo etc. Amazon has them for about $10.

You might want to call the airlines and see what she will need. Once your sister-in-law decides where they are going, maybe you could get gift card or something that would go along with the vacation site. Hope she has a great time!

Generally speaking, children under 18 do not need identification to fly. However, traveling without any kind of identification is a terrible idea. Even a 10 yr old should be carrying i.d. when traveling in case of accident or separation from the group.

You should have your daughter apply for a State Identification card. This will have a photo of her, her address, and her birth date. All great items to have on your person in case of emergency. You could also Dyno tape your SIL's cell number on the back side during the trip in case it is needed.

No, you won't need to sign permission for anything if they are staying in the states.

Call the airline and see what they require. Also you will want to send a signed permission for her to authorize treatment for your daughter should she get sick or hurt. Also send a copy of her insurance card. I would also make a list of any meds she takes and anything she's allergic to. She may know but it's best to have it written down for her. That's what I had to do when my mom and her husband took my boys on vacation one summer.

We fly very frequently. No ID is required for a 10 year old if they’re staying stateside. My son is 14 and TSA asks him his name and DOB occasionally. Most of the time they ask if he’s with me and that’s it. I did, early on, remind my kids they are to speak up and make eye contact when any TSA agent asks anything. Basically the same respect given any law enforcement officer. I also encourage them to be polite by telling them to have a good day.

The letter to authorize medical treatment is necessary and I would also include that you’re giving permission for your daughter to travel with your sister. There are lots of medical releases on the web. Some of the kids who’ve traveled with us out of state had their releases notarized. Not sure if that matters much, thankfully I’ve never had to use it.

If your daughter hasn’t traveled much, I would begin educating her on travel safety. Such as hotel etiquette (not talking loudly,listening to TV loudly, slamming doors, politely holding the elevator door when someone is coming). Also I would give her a phone card and teach her how to use it (if she doesn’t have a cell) weeks before she goes.

Thank you gifts are nice but also being grateful for what’s being done daily. Not choosing the most expensive thing on the menu and treating her Aunt. My kids loved treating the people they stay with. Made them feel so grown up. Practicing before she leaves will make her a pro while she’s on vacation.

Good for you to let her have an amazing adventure. Hope you can plan something fun for yourself while she’s gone.

You have good answers already on the paperwork.

You could get a bracelet (see Runner ID and similar) that runners wear when they carry no ID. My son and husband both wear them. You can put any info you want on the metal strip that is on the bracelet - her name, DOB, your number, your SIL's number, and medical info that should be obvious. You can even put in words like "traveling with her aunt" and your SIL's name.

I think it might be fun, at age 10, to have your daughter learn to pay at a restaurant including figuring the tip (which should be just as generous as an adult would pay). She could buy breakfast for her aunt and be very adult about it. You can get one of those tip calculator cards if you want. Practice at home or by going out to breakfast a few times yourselves. Give her the cash - which is why I say to go for breakfast, as it's less money all around. She can learn to have money in her wallet that she "ignores" in terms of her own spending money, because it's allocated for something else. Yes, she could lose the money, but i wouldn't be horribly disastrous - but it would be a great feather in her cap and an important life skill she's going to need anyway. Plus you're teaching reciprocity and gratitude.

I think a photo book would be a great idea. Can you give her an inexpensive camera or someone's hand-me-down phone that takes pics?

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You have good answers already on the paperwork.

You could get a bracelet (see Runner ID and similar) that runners wear when they carry no ID. My son and husband both wear them. You can put any info you want on the metal strip that is on the bracelet - her name, DOB, your number, your SIL's number, and medical info that should be obvious. You can even put in words like "traveling with her aunt" and your SIL's name.

I think it might be fun, at age 10, to have your daughter learn to pay at a restaurant including figuring the tip (which should be just as generous as an adult would pay). She could buy breakfast for her aunt and be very adult about it. You can get one of those tip calculator cards if you want. Practice at home or by going out to breakfast a few times yourselves. Give her the cash - which is why I say to go for breakfast, as it's less money all around. She can learn to have money in her wallet that she "ignores" in terms of her own spending money, because it's allocated for something else. Yes, she could lose the money, but i wouldn't be horribly disastrous - but it would be a great feather in her cap and an important life skill she's going to need anyway. Plus you're teaching reciprocity and gratitude.

I think a photo book would be a great idea. Can you give her an inexpensive camera or someone's hand-me-down phone that takes pics?

call the airlines and find out their requirements. i'd definitely get in touch with your health insurance company and find out what's required for your SIL to get medical care for your daughter in an emergency. i'd also get your daughter a simple state-issued ID, and you and your SIL photograph it so that if it gets lost you have a record of it.

thank you gifts are so individual. if you know she loves a particular restaurant or clothing line you could get her a gift card from them. good chocolate or champagne is always welcome. and you can't go wrong with a silk scarf or a nice locally made pottery serving bowl or perhaps a blown glass ornament.

i love that your SIL wants to do this, and think you are an uber-mom for being so open to it. this will be a grand adventure for all!
khairete
S.

I don't think she needs anything.like papers.birth certificates you gotta be careful cuz what if the paper gets lost.now a days ppl steal so much info.bt use your best judgement.maybe a disposable camera cuz nw a days who develops pics frm there phone.i knw i got so many i dont.. cash..? On phone number and addresses on the kid themselves everyday on an outing for lost purposes..and a talk dont talk to strangers or trust ppl.dont leave to kids houses cuz u dont knw there familys.

She doesn't need an ID, but be sure to give your SIL a copy of her health care card/coverage in case any emergencies come up.
How fun for your daughter! She can do a formal thank you of some kind after the trip (a card is fine) and maybe you and your husband can give your SIL a gift card to restaurant or spa or something as a way of saying thanks.