Many people think that parenting is the hardest mission anyone can accomplish in his/her life. When your kid is born, he/she does not come with a “Manual or How to Instructions” to ensure you can raise him/her well. And because each kid is different, there is so much “guessing” and “hits and misses” that come into the whole process. At the end of it all, when you kid has grown the wings to fly, some people think a parent would be happy to let go of his/her kid. The truth is letting go of adult children is the hardest part of being a parent.
As your kid enters adolescence, he/she will start testing the waters of independence – sleepovers in a close high school buddies’ house (on the pretext of doing school projects), night outs (on the pretext that the streets are flooded and he/she is stranded), or a swimming party on a weekend (using the time-worn excuse it’s her bff’s [best friends forever] birthday, bienvenida, despedida,etc. party).
Around this time, you know your kid is about ready to try travelling alone. Take this chance to teach not only independence, but responsibility as well. Check out some “Tips for Preparing Your Teens to Travel Alone CBS” published in Tampa Bay – Travel Section. How do you make sure your kid will get to the destination safe and sound? What tips and information must you share with your young traveler? Is he/she scared to be alone? What can you say or do to make your child feel eager than apprehensive?
Advance Planning
Before you make airlines reservations, you should discuss important aspects of the trip with your teenager. This includes safety, proper documentation and identification, airline escort, onboard courtesy and who to meet upon arrival… go through a trial run before the date of departure. Discuss (ing) with your kid what to do in case of an emergency…
Booking the Flight/Understanding Fees
A flight for your kid can be booked online, by calling an airline directly or in person at the airport. However, be aware that major airlines impose an additional fee for an unaccompanied minor and may charge an extra fee simply for booking tickets over the phone or in person. … Additionally, most airlines only allow unaccompanied minors on nonstop flights, which may carry a heftier price tag than a flight with a connection…
Fill Out a Checklist
… A checklist can include but is not limited to:
- Review of airline policies, airline contact for departure and arrival airports…
- Traveler’s information…
- Appropriate documents…
- The name of the airline employee escorting your teenager (if necessary)
- The name and contact information of your authorized escort, friend or relative meeting your kid upon arrival…
- Prescription medications, if applicable
- Items to bring onboard…
- Cash and in many cases, an ATM card and/or credit card…
Make sure your kid has enough time to spare when you drive him/her to the airport. Rushing can make your son/daughter more jittery and stressed. If the kid has enough experiences in the past, it may be enough to make him/her see the whole thing as a thrilling than an apprehensive experience. If he/she is more excited than scared, just remind him of a few things. If he/she is more edgy, find out if it is possible for you to accompany him/her to the boarding gate to ease his/her worries.
Don’t give your child the reason to go frantic upon arrival in the destination. Make sure there will be someone to meet him/her and that you have received clear and proper instructions on how the designated person can meet your son or daughter. Know the requirements so your child can be safely released to your appointed guardian.
Use this opportunity to prepare your daughter or son to be independent as well as to be responsible. As your child grow his/her wings, don’t forget yourself; you may also need this occasion to learn to let go and to grow your wings back as well.
