Are the skies friendly enough for The Kid to fly alone?
Who doesn’t want their kid to be adventurous?
We want our young man to brave his new world, make it bigger, and try new things. He's turning 14 years old in a few weeks.
We want him to actually visit family – in other states – for extended periods of time: a week, a summer month, a holiday - without us along.
It's all good stuff – he should spread his wings.
.
Only, should he spread his wings alone – that is – fly solo?
Independent Traveler.com , basically tells a horror story of a child flying unaccompanied by an adult.(There is a happy ending) The article goes on to give advice and some things to consider when booking a flight.
Just about every commercial airline website addresses the issue of a minor flying solo. They post their policies and provide tips.
There are websites, such as Forms4Parents.com where I can purchase a form and fill it in with detailed information. I can include instructions, identification and contact information.Then I can tuck the paperwork into The Kid’s pocket and keep my fingers crossed.
I can pack him off with a cell phone.
I know, I know, but this is also an emotional decision.
Do I hop on the plane and fly out with him and at the end of the visit, go out and come back with him?
Maybe I just ought to let him visit family via Facebook, from the safety of our own home.
Gretchen Day-Bryant has a son in high school and a daughter in middle school. She’s lived to tell about the struggles of juggling little kids and work.
Joy Oglesby has a preschooler...
Cindy Kent Fort Lauderdale mother of three. Her kids span in ages from teenager to 20s.
Rafael Olmeda and his wife welcomed their first son in Feb. 2009, and he's helping raise two teenage stepdaughters.
Lois Solomon lives in Boca Raton with her husband and three daughters.
Georgia East is the parent of a five-year-old girl, who came into the world weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces.
Brittany Wallman is the mother of Creed, 15, and Lily, 7, and is married to a journalist, Bob Norman. She covers Broward County government, which is filled with almost as much drama as the Norman household. Almost.
Chris Tiedje is the Social Media Coordinator and the father of a 7-year-old girl, and two boys ages 4 and 3.
Kyara Lomer Camarena has a 2-year-old son, Copelan, and a brand new baby. 
South Florida Parenting is your guide for local events and things to do with your family. Our site offers resources, features and insightful columns on all types of parenting issues.
Parents and their children can access a multitude of free educational resources.