Shoud 16 Year Old Daughter Attend NYC Village Halloween Parade Alone W/ Friends?

No, definitely not. It's not the people in the parade or who live in the hood (I used to live there), it's all of the scary people in from other neighborhoods and Jersey and LI that look for a wild time. there are lots of cops, but you never know esp with the gay bashing that is happening again. Hire a chaperone or go with them with another Mom and have a ball while keeping an eye on the girls. I never respond to these posts, this one just jumped out at me. Good luck.

If she's a responsible kid, let her go... with some parameters. I've been to the parade before and it's alot of fun. In general, it's about the crazy costumes and people-watching.

Make sure that she has a cell phone that must remain ON at all times. Have her check-in with you at certain points and make sure that she has enough cash to grab a cab and head to train quickly if something goes wrong. You could also check-out the train schedule and decide which two train options are acceptable, that way you know what time she will be home and can somewhat determine the length of time she's there.

If you're really worried about it, head in to the City with them and find something else to do while they're there. You and your husband could catch a show or do some shopping and then meet-up with them to take them home.

Either way, if she was responsible enough to go before, I would say she's responsible enough to go again and recognize when a situation isn't safe. Remind her that she can ALWAYS call you to come get her, even if she's the drunk prankster... punishments for bad decisions can be discussed the next day... her safety is the priority.

Ah, I did go to the Village Parade at 16 with a bunch of friends, and back then cell phones were NOT accessible to teenagers - the way my parents handled it was to send my friends college age brothers along to keep an eye on us without making us feel like we were being babysat.
Granted, my 3 friends and I were all very mature and well disciplined, even if we were a bit sheltered. The 19, and 22 year old boys that chaperoned us were also very responsible and protective.

And back then, NYC was much more dangerous than it is now... Still this is up to the maturity and responsibility levels of all the girls going. If you can find "cool" chaperons, that would be ideal. If not - a parent is a very good idea.

You are not overreacting! No adult chaperon, no parade. That was easy, wasn't it?

Overreacting? Nope.

Let her go unchaperoned? Nope.

16 is just too young for what this event sounds like. We have a huge Halloween event in Tampa called Guavaween and it gets very rowdy and very wild. No way I'd allow 16 year old girls to go unattended no matter how trustworthy and dependable they are. They are still young, impressionable and vulnerable girls.

If they want to go chaperoned and you think that would be ok ( I don't how wild this event gets) then that might be a compromise but if it gets really wild and there are things that are clearly inappropriate for kids then nope, they have to wait.

My best advice is that I you should trust her and let her go but let her know that if she gives you a reason to break your trust then you wont let her do what she wants to do next time. I think as a young person myself we all need to be trusted but... When we break trust it's time to get the belt tightened.

P., not sure if you have ever been I am guessing no. This is a very sexual parade. Yes the costumes are neat however they are all very much geared to adults. There is much more for her to see that isn't age appropriate than actual age appropriate visuals. It's one of the biggest gay events in manhattan and she might see something that you are not prepared to address. You are NOT overreacting.

I think that if you feel that she is responsible, then let her go. It's a super fun parade and it's safe. Just set rules. Ask her to call you at certain predetermined intervals and to catch a specific train home, etc. And let her understand that if any of these rules are broken, so is your trust.

She is 16 and she should be encouraged to explore the unbelievable City that is so close to us. Don't forget, you and she are used to the suburbs but lots of kids grow up in NYC and navigate their way around with ease and safely.

Also, what's with all of the "Gay parade" comments? Do people really think they can shelter their children from homosexuality? And why would you want to? It is what it is - it's a part of the world we live in. Deal with it and teach your kids how to respond to it properly. Which is with openess and understanding and acceptance. If your kid is 16 and is clueless about GLBT lifestyles, then I think the parents are really the clueless ones.

Let me just say this-everyone that I know who has lived close to NYC has wild stories to tell of going alone into the city in their teens. I would not let my daughter go. And if you do-ask to see her bag as she walks out the door. Good chance you will find an "alternative" costume in there or underneath her clothes.

Yikes.... I know they would have fun, but I'm with you about the possibility of drinking, smoking, etc that could cloud someones good judgement and turn it into a tragedy. You know your daughter and her friends....If you trust them let them go I guess, but you will be worried sick till she gets home I'm sure. I'm from CA, so just the thought of a 16 yr old running loose in NYC freaks me out, but that's because I probably have a warped view of NY from only being exposed to it through our fine media monster only.
If she has a cell, maybe have her send you pictures of where she is every half hour or so just so you feel connected.... that could be a condition you could impose to keep you sane while she's gone. I'd probably want to talk to the other girls moms as well so you all are on the same page and have each others contact numbers.
Being 16 is one of the landmark years, and yes we usually have to start lengthing the apron string a tad.... this is how her character will start to develop. You are only 16 once ya know.

What time of the day or evening is this?
How about a parent go with, but not stay with them the entire time.. have them meet up with the parent at certain times?

Here is Austin, there is a HUGE Halloween event on 6th street.. it is like Bourbon street in New Orleans.. Teens are only allowed to be down there till 10:00pm... Many people are out there in their costumes, music, vendors.. it gives them a taste of the event..

Believe me, they do not want to be down there any later.. that is when the drunks come out..

it depends on the kid. i let mine do stuff like this, but i also trusted in their good judgment and they never let me down. i would put a time restriction in place, though.
khairete
S.