Online Parent Support Chat

Am I being stupid...

Should I allow my teenage boy (13) to go to Lincoln Park concert with 18 yr old girl?
Crystal and my son LOVE Lincoln Park and they have been saving for the special event. They are buying great seats. They will both have cell phones. Am I being stupid to allow this?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Extending trust is important to children. Actually, extending trust is important in any relationship. Make an agreement with the girl and your son that they should be available via cell phone when the concert is over.

Tell your son that you trust him to make sound judgments. Explain to him that if he breaches his promise, then it will make it difficult for you to allow him to go to other events. It's important for children to learn responsibility and consequences of breaching promises. Children actually can reason much better than adults give credit for.

The ability to make good judgments is important. Unfortunately, that ability comes from making a lot of bad judgments. We have to allow children to grow up. Yeah, this is very scarey... I have a child myself.

The age difference isn't important in the decision making process. Yes, this can happen and that can happen, but you can't let fear control your relationship with your child.

Anonymous said...

depends how well do you know the girl. how does she act. if she acts well but not perfect its okay. and if you know her then let your son go. If your son says shes a friend i wouldnt allow him since hes 13 and shes 18. But if youve seen her before and based on how she has acted that should give you your answer.

Anonymous said...

What!!..are you a parent?..13 yrs old and 18 yrs old..in lincoln park..hmm..yea big decision there..great parenting skills on ya..why dont you go with them??..supervision??..or maybe u think ur 13 yr old is responsible and mature enough to hang out with an 18 yr old...heres ur sighn!

Anonymous said...

no they're fine... as long as you know your son. i think its very important that parents trust their kids at any age. im a very good daughter of my parents but htey dont let me go anywhere by myself and i feel bad because it is a right for me to do that adn i kno itll be good for me... anyway let him go but keep an eye on him by callin him every oncein a while

Anonymous said...

Not unless she is his babysitter. Who is this girl hanging out with a 13 y/o boy? If she's a family friend or something, maybe, but if she's his girlfriend, NO.. How do they even know each other to hang out?

Anonymous said...

Do you know this girl well enough to trust him with your son if you do then i think you should consider the thought of letting him go and if you do decide to let him go then i would make someone else go with him like an older or younger sibling or cousin thats what my parents would make me and my sister do i kept her out of alot of trouble but if you have any bad feelings about it i wouldnt then dont do it just trust your instincts your his mother you know whats best.

Anonymous said...

Compromise. Get a ticket yourself and sit far away from them. That way, you'll be close by if anything goes wrong, and you can keep an eye on him. He can also meet up with you right after the concert.