My 17 yr old son wants to go on a 650 mile trip?

I am a 19 year old boy.

As long as he isn't horribly irresponsible he should be okay.

I would hope him and his friends would have enough money to live on for the days they are up there... but not enough to get into any trouble... they are 17 year old boys after all. Lol.

But I'm sure as long as you trust your child, and you let him know that your trust is riding on this, and if he messes up it will mess up future trips, outings, etc... then he should be alright.

It could be a huge milestone... it could prepare him for being away when he is at college if he chooses to go to college... or moving out if he chooses to join the job force after high school...

It could be a really great thing. I would let him go.. and see how it goes.

My first concern is where they would be staying the night, since this is a 650 mile trip. Hotels aren't going to rent a room to a bunch of kids under 18. Even if one of the parents makes the reservation in advance, the key won't be turned over without an adult there to sign and provide a c/c (with id). Obviously, driving to the tournament and back in the same say isn't a good idea, especially for inexperienced drivers. Which brings up the second concern...

Who will be driving, and which car are they taking? Teens don't always have the most reliable cars. Will they be taking turns driving? On one hand, you don't want the driver to be tired. On the other, driving an unfamiliar car when you don't have a lot of experience isn't a good idea... every car has different angles and handles differently. There are three more issues that come from this, the first being auto-insurance. If there's an accident, will the other drivers be covered? Next, do any of them have AAA? And third, some places have restricted hours for drivers under 18. In some states, minors are not allowed to drive between the hours of midnight and 5am. If he'll be going out of state, check into their laws.

What if you went with them to the city, but stayed in another room on the same floor? They can spend the day at the tournament, and you can go shopping, relax by the indoor pool, or take your other kid/s ice skating.

Answer these questions in this order...

Has your son ever gotten into much trouble?

Would you trust him to behave himself?

Do you really know the friends he is going with?

Do you trust THEM to behave themselves?

Do they have a solid plan they can share with you for "we're going here by this way, and here by this road" etc, and have a cell phone or calling card to contact you and let you know things are going fine?

If you answer those questions, I'm sure you will find your answer. Some 17 year olds are actually mature enough to do something like this, but definitely not all of them... I know you'll make the best decision for you, and he will understand eventually if you say "not without a parent"

Okay hopefully you raised your son up good so he knows how to behave himself. Going away even that far is scary but if he's mature and responsible then I'd say let him. Just make it clear that you expect him to check in with you and see about getting him a cell phone or borrowing one for that reason. The cost for the phone will more than ease your mind and if there are any problems then he can call you right away.

is it a road trip or a plane trip? try talking to the other boys parents and get there opinions. i know my mom wouldnt let me go that far without a parent. but contact the other parents and see what they feel about it. maybe one of them will be willing to take your son and his friends down to Cinni.

It kind of depends on how much you trust your son. I am about the same age as him. Honestly, a Halo tournament doesn't sound like he's going to get into a bunch of trouble. But it kind of depends on who would be driving, and how much experience they have on long trips.

Usually my parents don't let me go on trips unsupervised, without adults. But if there is someone, like about 20 that she has met, she will let me go.

I'd suggest definitely meeting the kids beforehand. Then if you cant trust them, insist on going, and see what happens.

yes, i know you will worry about him. that's only natural. but, halo 2 is just a game it's nothing to be so upset over. i would feel more comfortable if you know these other boys that he's going with or if an adult was going. but, he's almost grown and you have to let him live his life sometime. the others may make fun of him if he can't go but you do whatever you think's best.

Tell him no way. Sounds like a perfect trip for underage drinking and drug use. Who is he going to be, national Halo 2 champion, and do you want him to be?? You are still his mother, you must be an authority figure. If you are sure that his friends are not like that, then let him go. Why not? Just talk to him on the phone several times a day.

When my daughter was 15 I let her go from LA to Sante Fe for a friend's graduation. However, before she went I bought $100,000 of life insurance on her. So if the worse did happen I would get back the money I spent raising her. She's 21 and been to 44 states now on her own and so far, so good.

It is totally okay to freak about this and its also okay to say no.

It depends on the teen, he is obviously responsible enough to earn a maybe, so just consider what he is asking.

Take into account these things:

-who is he going with?

-how is he paying for this?

-how long will he be gone?

-where will he be staying?

-have you talked with the other parents of the teens?

-does your son get good grades?

-clean school/criminal record?

If your son earned reasonable marks in these areas, and the main reason you don't want him to go is that you are worried about something happening to him, rather than him doing something dangerous himself, then I say let him go.

~Good luck with whatever you decide~