User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 10:01:21 AM EDT
My 12 year old son came home yesterday and told us his school is planning a class trip to NYC My first reaction was to say "well you ain't going" My reasons are very simple 9-11 NYC is a prime target and it CAN happen again. I did offer him a compromise...I told him if he decides to stay home that day, I will take off, we can go shooting
 out to lunch and then I will hand him 50.00 to buy whatever he wants at whatever store he wants me to take him. Am I being paranoid or should I just let him go. He likes my offer, so I don't think he will be heartbroken if he stays outta the City. Fire away 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 10:03:04 AM EDT
[#1]
paranoid.
but I would rather go shooting unless of course the class is going to scores??? but i doubt they would for a school trip? is it a public school....? |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 10:03:35 AM EDT
[#2]
Depends what the itinerary is for the day. If they are going someplace educational that he wouldn't ordinarally see, it would be good for him to go. If it's just sightseeing, take him shooting.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 10:04:42 AM EDT
[#3]
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 10:05:11 AM EDT
[#4]
You're paranoid.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 10:05:30 AM EDT
[#5]
As long there is ADEQUATE adult supervision I would definitely let my son go.
SGatr15 |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 10:05:46 AM EDT
[#6]
I do not believe we should change our lifestyles and or our travel plans because of the terrorists, they win when we do that IMHO.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 10:06:33 AM EDT
[#7]
The way most schools are, they'll stick them in a museum. I'd rather go shooting anyway. What part of PA? I lived in Erie for 9 years. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 10:07:41 AM EDT
[#8]
You're a good father. You have the right to set his safety paramiters. But don't give him a choice. Tell him the two of you are going shooting that day. Period. (I wouldn't have bribed him either, he should do what you require of him without bribes) Go with your gut. How will you feel if you let him go (against your gut feeling) and then something happens to him? Trust your instincts. He's your son afterall, and your number one job is to keep him safe. (Until he is old enouph to do so himself) Zen "This is my rifle, there are many like it, but this one is mine" |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 10:07:46 AM EDT
[#9]
WOW, same thing happened to me. I told my son the same thing, "You aint goin". Luckily the trip was cancelled for one reason or another and I never had to face it.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 10:08:38 AM EDT
[#10]
I'd be more worried about him getting stabbed with a needle by a crack whore due to the fact that she didn't have change for a 50 and so he decided to stiff her instead.
Now that is paranoia. Can't you go with him to "9-11 NYC" and go shooting at the same time? |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 10:09:28 AM EDT
[#11]
good father.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 10:10:40 AM EDT
[#12]
I would be weary about it to. But I would most likely let him go. But just tell him he can go but he can hang with you if he wants and let him make the decision, he is 12 it is about time for him to start making some on his own.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 10:12:56 AM EDT
[#13]
NYC is one of those places you should have seen once. Checkmark - next.....
Depends on the itinerary though. It could be a fun trip or a total waste of time. I'd rather go shooting though..... Who wouldn't. Keep the city sink, thank you very little. I went with my Dad to NYC when I was 12. Cool place to visit. I liked it but I'm just not a big city kind of guy. Nowadays I'd rather go shoot with him..... 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 10:14:46 AM EDT
[#14]
Good fathers are paranoid. It helps keep your offspring alive to adulthood, when they can become paranoid too!
Its a question of 'are you being overprotective'. Answer, "in todays circumstances, no." Take him shooting. At least he'll learn something useful. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 10:15:11 AM EDT
[#15]
Why dont you go with him and his class. I bet the school would LOVE the help.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 10:17:39 AM EDT
[#16]
Good father? Yes.
Paranoid? Yes. You could have an accident on the way to the range when he could have been in NYC. 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 10:20:01 AM EDT
[#17]
No one is going to look after your son like YOU !!!
Times have change , nobody gives a shit about nobody . I have TWO kids, I would not let him go !!! yes I from there. P.S alot can go down in N.Y ..... |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 11:44:26 AM EDT
[#18]
I will be flying the day before the election
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 11:48:39 AM EDT
[#19]
Now this I would be very worried about. 
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 11:53:05 AM EDT
[#20]
No, your not paranoid at all. I would have reacted the same way. It is your parental instincts that guides you in matters of your childrens welfare and safety. However, as they get older, one must learn to let go a little each day so they may make their own mistakes, thats how they learn. So, no you are not paranoid, merely love and care for your child and do not want to see him become a victim of some relegious zealot who's only goal in life is to destroy life. My 0.02! Your a good man and father, +1
 for the cool offer & maybe explain to him WHY you decided to make this decision, he'll respect you for it in the long run.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 11:53:59 AM EDT
[#21]
IMO you should volunteer to serve as a chaperone and go with him. If not, let him go if he wants to. NYC is a very safe place in general. The high-crime areas are well known and easy to avoid. The probability of a terrorist attack at any given place and time, even a popular tourist attraction, is negligible.
If you hold your son back because of fear of a terrorist attack, the terrorists have won. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 11:57:06 AM EDT
[#22]
paranoid
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 11:58:25 AM EDT
[#23]
"I'm on to you..." - Homer S.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 11:58:59 AM EDT
[#24]
IMHO a good father is, by definition, somewhat "paranoid." But I am a relatively new father and have much, MUCH more to learn...
 Either way, the decision is yours and yours alone IMO. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 12:00:59 PM EDT
[#25]
LET THE KID GO TO NYC !!! YOU SHOULD GO WITH HIM, then join us out at Calverton for some shooting
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 12:08:22 PM EDT
[#26]
I wonder how many in this thread who called you paranoid actually have children? There is a chemical that men begin to produce once they have kids that makes them very protective of their family. For some it can be a very overwhelming experience. And perfectly natural. Zen "This is my rifle, there are many like it, but this one is mine" |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 12:10:48 PM EDT
[#27]
I am going through it too.
I just got my 13 year old daughter airline tickets for a trip to New York City in the Spring. She is going with her art teacher and some other students for 7days. To visit museums and other sites. I am not really worried about terrorist activity. It is just a long way from Washington State to New York. I want my kids to experience things...just not too many of the negative. MT
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 12:13:31 PM EDT
[#28]
All good parents are a touch paranoid.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 12:18:04 PM EDT
[#29]
I think you are a good Dad.
I can relate. I have a 12 year old son at home that thinks he is 10 feet tall and bulletproof. I would not let him go either. I would have handled it the exact same way. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 12:18:50 PM EDT
[#30]
Hire WAVE to be his personal body guard for that day.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 12:19:56 PM EDT
[#31]
Paranoid, but you did offer a nice alternative.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 12:21:14 PM EDT
[#32]
Ive got three sons 9, 5, and 1. I work in NYC every day. Compromise. Be a class dad for the trip. Son spends day with dad, goes on trip with class, dad watches out for son. everybody is happy
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 12:21:45 PM EDT
[#33]
A bit paranoid...
When I was 12 I roamed the streets of Ankara , Turkey by myself. It was the mid-late 80's and I was in a country bordered by the Soviet Union, Iran, Syria, and Iraq . My father knew what the deal was as he was assistant head of security at the US Embassy. I made good choices, and I matured because of it. 12 is about the age to let them have some freedom. NYC is not all that dangerous of a place. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/19/2004 12:22:34 PM EDT
[#34]
I have kids and I say he's paranoid. The real reason to say no is its a liberal cesspool full of hedonism.
Shok |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/20/2004 3:53:50 AM EDT
[#35]
Thanks for all the responses guys.
Still not sure what I will do, but I appreciate everyone's opinion. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/20/2004 4:05:52 AM EDT
[#36]
Paranoid? Maybe a little, but you're a dad and that is one of the requirements... I'd probably make the same call.
Yeah, I have 2 sons myself. I know where you are coming from. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/20/2004 4:08:58 AM EDT
[#37]
Sandman67, you just let the terrorists win. This is EXACTLY what terrorists want. GWB said it himself... they (terrorists) want us to be afraid to do what we want, even afraid to live in our homes. If you make him stay home because "It COULD happen again," then you let the terrorists win. And, you let down support for U.S. intelligence. Let the kid go - but only if he wants to. You have nothing to fear except the kid having too much fun. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/20/2004 4:24:44 AM EDT
[#38]
Just finding another excuse to go shooting?
 Id stay back if I was your son! Shooting and $50! |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/20/2004 4:30:49 AM EDT
[#39]
Not paranoid, but overprotective.
That's your right, tho, and as long as it doesn't negatively impact your son do as you please. At least you gave him a reasonable alternative. I've been to NYC before and since 911, doesn't scare me. Hell, here in Columbus Ohio we had a terrorist plot to blow up a mall. Terrorist attacks will likely not be relegated to Manhattan, sorry to say. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/20/2004 4:41:28 AM EDT
[#40]
I have a son the same age.
To me anyway, a blatant no way my son can go to NYC is way overprotective but then to say you are I would have to know who is chaperoning and what the itnerary of the class is. My wife on the otherhand, would be on the bus regardless of the caperone or itenary. Luckily I don't have to cross this bridge often myself. My son would rather forego a field trip anyday to be with his dad for we have more fun even if I have to drag his buddies along on our adventures every now and then. He often doesn't even bother to bring class outings up. Regardless of what you decide based on this one outing, you are not a bad parent as the result of your decision. Tj |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/20/2004 5:08:10 AM EDT
[#41]
I have children, and understand your concern. I think you may be a little paranoid though. If you're willing to take the day off, I suggest you volunteer to chapperone the trip, I'm sure the more parents the better. That way you and your son get to see NYC, which is something everyone should do at least once, (and from your post, I assume you haven't been there).
I travel to NYC from PA at least once a month, you and your son will have a great time, enjoy it. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/20/2004 5:16:09 AM EDT
[#42]
Let him go. He has the opportunity to see and experience something new. Take him shooting some other time.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/20/2004 12:02:49 PM EDT
[#43]
He's your kid. Do what you think best. I have three, now 25,23,and 20. The biggest mistakes I made in raising them was second guessing myself. It always ended up bad. I had a big fight with my daughter (then 15) and her school over a field trip in sociology class to a prison. Hell no. She was and still is a darling. Last thing I wanted is for a con to focus on her and show up one day looking for her. I fought her, the teacher, and the the school. I won. If you don't like it, don't do it. You have to live with the results, no one else here or anywhere else.
rk |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/20/2004 12:15:09 PM EDT
[#44]
For any of you guys critical of the paranoia verdicts, Sandman posted this question on the internet here asking for opinions. Of course he is a good Dad regardless of his decision but as The President and others have said, staying home is a win for the bad guys. ( And yes I have a little experience raising kids, 35 yrs worth
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/20/2004 12:18:50 PM EDT
[#45]
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/20/2004 12:22:20 PM EDT
[#46]
Your being a good father letting him choose. I would go with him to NY or if he wants to go shooting go with him. If he does go to NY with you I will take the $50.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/20/2004 1:51:45 PM EDT
[#47]
why are you bribing your son?
no means no |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/20/2004 1:59:51 PM EDT
[#48]
Pony up the $50 bucks and keep him home if thats your gut.
Sounds like you are a reasonable guy. Over protective........not for NY hating Texan
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/20/2004 3:44:27 PM EDT
[#49]
Just so you guys know, we have been to NYC before, but he was very young..maybe 6 or 7.
This time the school is going to one place -a very popular place. I don't want to name the place because you never know who else reads these threads (damn, now I'm sounding paranoid Seriously though, it's NYC so even if I took the advice and went along, I can't even CCW. And as for the President saying the terrorists already won if we don't go out....well I understand that, I do really. But honestly, that won't hold shit to me if my son's school bus is on the GW bridge or in the Lincoln tunnell when the ragshop decides to blow it.....can't happen you say? I'm crazy? yea...that's what they would have said to you on 9-10 if you told them about someone taking down both towers the next day... Am I wrong? |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/20/2004 4:17:20 PM EDT
[#50]
Paranoid. NYC is probably the safest place in the nation right now.
|
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
