DEAR ABBY: Our granddaughter, "Kim," is a senior in high school. She wants to study in Europe next year to improve her skills in a second language. Neither she nor her parents can afford the $20,000 or more this will cost. She is also "boy crazy." Another worry is the threat of terrorism and her safety.
Kim's grandmother and I see more negatives than positives in this possibility. Please advise us whether we should voice our opinion and what your opinion is. -- HOLDING BACK FOR NOW
DEAR HOLDING: If you had described your granddaughter as emotionally mature and responsible, I would give it my blessing. However, because you didn't, in my opinion she should continue her schooling closer to home and pursue her interest in language arts when she's further along in her education and less boy crazy.
I would not be sending my 18 yr old daughter overseas alone.
Me, either.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Why say anything? If she can't afford it and her parents are not footing the bill--it sounds like an issue that will solve itself. If she happens to get a scholarship and can then pay her own way--then they can't really stop her if she can get all her ducks in a row, anyway.
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I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
Yeah, it really isn't their call so not sure they have to say anything. However, I don't think an 18 yr old has the wherewithal to take care of themselves and deal with unpredictable situations.
My nephew wants to go on a religious trip this summer to a place I don't really consider safe right now. And he's been hitting up family for donations. We don't want him to go, he's only going to be 16. His mother is in lala land thinking the terrorist issues will resolve themselves in a few months.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
My niece went over during college for a trip. She got robbed in the Lourve.
And she could have gotten mugged in the NYC subway, too.
flan
Yes, but young girls travelling abroad alone are at great risk for being taken for sex trafficing. It is one of the greatest problems in the world right now. And they look for girls traveling alone.
It is the fastest growing crime in the world and already the third largest criminal enterprise in the world.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
My niece went over during college for a trip. She got robbed in the Lourve.
And she could have gotten mugged in the NYC subway, too.
flan
Yes, but young girls travelling abroad alone are at great risk for being taken for sex trafficing. It is one of the greatest problems in the world right now. And they look for girls traveling alone.
It is the fastest growing crime in the world and already the third largest criminal enterprise in the world.
It also depends on the country. Mideast, no. Most of Europe should be okay.
DS"s DGF studied for six months in Europe as a college sophomore. She was 19 and did fine.
IMHO, grandpa and grandma need to butt out.
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I drink coffee so I don't kill you.
I quilt so I don't kill you.
Do you see a theme?
Faith isn't something that keeps bad things from happening. Faith is what helps us get through bad things when they do happen.
Yeah, it really isn't their call so not sure they have to say anything. However, I don't think an 18 yr old has the wherewithal to take care of themselves and deal with unpredictable situations.
Yeah, it really isn't their call so not sure they have to say anything. However, I don't think an 18 yr old has the wherewithal to take care of themselves and deal with unpredictable situations.
But an 18 year old can go fight and die in wars?
Yeah, that thought crossed my mind as well.
Double standard much?
__________________
I drink coffee so I don't kill you.
I quilt so I don't kill you.
Do you see a theme?
Faith isn't something that keeps bad things from happening. Faith is what helps us get through bad things when they do happen.
Please advise us whether we should voice our opinion
Unless grandma and grandpa are being asked to foot the bill or specifically asked for advice on the subject, they should keep their opinions to themselves. Unsolicited advice is extremely annoying, even if it comes from relatives.
Yeah, it really isn't their call so not sure they have to say anything. However, I don't think an 18 yr old has the wherewithal to take care of themselves and deal with unpredictable situations.
But an 18 year old can go fight and die in wars?
Which has to do with this issue how exactly other than trying to inject your liberal gobbedlygook.
Please advise us whether we should voice our opinion
Unless grandma and grandpa are being asked to foot the bill or specifically asked for advice on the subject, they should keep their opinions to themselves. Unsolicited advice is extremely annoying, even if it comes from relatives.
Yeah, it really isn't their call so not sure they have to say anything. However, I don't think an 18 yr old has the wherewithal to take care of themselves and deal with unpredictable situations.
But an 18 year old can go fight and die in wars?
Which has to do with this issue how exactly other than trying to inject your liberal gobbedlygook.
What the HELL are you talking about?
An 18 year old in Afghanistan must deal with unpredictable situations.
What on earth does this have to do with liberal "gobbedlygooked"?
Yeah, it really isn't their call so not sure they have to say anything. However, I don't think an 18 yr old has the wherewithal to take care of themselves and deal with unpredictable situations.
But an 18 year old can go fight and die in wars?
Yeah, that thought crossed my mind as well.
Double standard much?
I don't think 18 year olds should be sent into battle. They do not have enough training. But if they do go, they go with some training, a unit of soldiers, and weapons. Not exactly the same situation as an 18 year old girl off by herself.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
My niece went over during college for a trip. She got robbed in the Lourve.
And she could have gotten mugged in the NYC subway, too.
flan
Yes, but young girls travelling abroad alone are at great risk for being taken for sex trafficing. It is one of the greatest problems in the world right now. And they look for girls traveling alone.
It is the fastest growing crime in the world and already the third largest criminal enterprise in the world.
It also depends on the country. Mideast, no. Most of Europe should be okay.
DS"s DGF studied for six months in Europe as a college sophomore. She was 19 and did fine.
IMHO, grandpa and grandma need to butt out.
Belguim is one of the busiest airports in Europe and a haven for sex traffickers.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
Yeah, it really isn't their call so not sure they have to say anything. However, I don't think an 18 yr old has the wherewithal to take care of themselves and deal with unpredictable situations.
But an 18 year old can go fight and die in wars?
Yeah, that thought crossed my mind as well.
Double standard much?
I don't think 18 year olds should be sent into battle. They do not have enough training. But if they do go, they go with some training, a unit of soldiers, and weapons. Not exactly the same situation as an 18 year old girl off by herself.
Don't wander around a strange city anywhere by yourself.
My niece went over during college for a trip. She got robbed in the Lourve.
And she could have gotten mugged in the NYC subway, too.
flan
Yes, but young girls travelling abroad alone are at great risk for being taken for sex trafficing. It is one of the greatest problems in the world right now. And they look for girls traveling alone.
It is the fastest growing crime in the world and already the third largest criminal enterprise in the world.
It also depends on the country. Mideast, no. Most of Europe should be okay.
DS"s DGF studied for six months in Europe as a college sophomore. She was 19 and did fine.
Yeah, it really isn't their call so not sure they have to say anything. However, I don't think an 18 yr old has the wherewithal to take care of themselves and deal with unpredictable situations.
But an 18 year old can go fight and die in wars?
Which has to do with this issue how exactly other than trying to inject your liberal gobbedlygook.
What the HELL are you talking about?
An 18 year old in Afghanistan must deal with unpredictable situations.
What on earth does this have to do with liberal "gobbedlygooked"?
And, we accept as a society, that there are some things worth dying for and the potential risks that our young soldiers have to take which doesn't have a damn thing to do with this topic other than trying to make liberal brownie points.
Yeah, it really isn't their call so not sure they have to say anything. However, I don't think an 18 yr old has the wherewithal to take care of themselves and deal with unpredictable situations.
But an 18 year old can go fight and die in wars?
Yeah, that thought crossed my mind as well.
Double standard much?
I don't think 18 year olds should be sent into battle. They do not have enough training. But if they do go, they go with some training, a unit of soldiers, and weapons. Not exactly the same situation as an 18 year old girl off by herself.
Don't wander around a strange city anywhere by yourself.
flan
Yes, because a financially irresponsible, boy crazy girl is just the one you trust to always make good choices.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
And, there are realities for a FEMALE versus a male. Sorry, that's life. What I might allow my son to do, i might have second thoughts about my daughter.
