Our kids went around the world by themselves when they were three and four years old.

Great question Tower. I think they are travelling with Swoosher now.

My kids were traveling around Europe and Asia when they were 20, but not at age 18. At age 16, though, my daughter used to take the train and a "trolley" (tram) from our home in Princeton, NJ, to Philadelphia every weekend for a piano lesson. However, as others have said, kids are different, and I think the trend is for kids to take longer to grow up. I know a woman who raised her brothers and sisters when her parents died in an accident when she was 16. My father left Scotland when he was 19 and went to work in the US, where he knew no one. People used to get married and set up housekeeping at age 14. That sort of thing would be unthinkable now. So I hesitate to use the experience of my own kids, which was 15 years or more ago, as a model for someone today.

Awful lot of deleted posts today, including mine which merely referenced cold's posts yet his remain. Can someone please report cold. This is unfair.

FMT - done.

Thanks cold.

Anyway, I still think it is a great night to send the kids to a movie -- or two. That age group loves that stuff.

deleted? Why in he world did my post referring to Cold', need to be deleted?? Somebody has an itchy trigger finger back at St. Forum-ville. C'mon headquarters, this is getting ridiculous and insulting.

Kids were marrying at 14 a couple of hundred years ago - not when DDs were in europe - only 6 or 7 years ago.

It's true that some kids are very naive - but this is a chance to FIX that - not PRESERVE it and encourage fear of the big bad world. In adults, naivete is NOT a good trait - for school or job - or anything else real world.

Pizza & a movie - good solution!

You know your kids best, and what will work for your family. I would not back off your idea of a private dinner in Paris for your 20th Anniversary.

If the girls do go out to walk around, be sure they each take a card from the hotel, because it can get confusing finding your way back. It's imperative that they have the hotel name and address on them.

We did something similar in Vienna when our DS and DD were about that age. DH and I were invited to a special dinner hosted by the mayor, at the ballroom where Kennedy met with Kruschev. I was not going to miss it, and kids were not invited.

We gave them euros, and our hotel was just a block from the main shopping avenue. A very safe area. They were fine.

But you have lots of options. The night-time bike tour could be fun. Or just get them wonderful food and snacks to eat in the room, along with movies to watch.

He has already said no how no way are they going out "wandering" around Paris on their own. Not going to happen.

"Wandering" is one thing, and not something I'd recommend, either. Having a specific thing to do is another whole ball of wax. Like the bike tour. Or reservations at the restaurant down the block. Or tickets to an event close-by.

Another time, we let our two teens attend a rock concert in Amsterdam at the Paradiso by themselves. It's a well-known venue for musicians. DH and I walked with them over to the venue, and they took a cab back to the hotel. DS and DD were talking about that event recently, and expressed how much they enjoyed being on their own in a foreign city. They really appreciated that we trusted them.

<<I like the idea of a nearby pizza place but walking around Paris without us at night isn't going to happen.>>

He did not use the word wandering. That was my error. He's already SAID they aren't walking around at night alone. I'm pretty sure going to "attend a rock concert" isn't what he had in mind.

Whatever you say, great and powerful all- knowing one.

You know, other posters can share their thoughts, too.

Most people probably understand that one can describe a rock concert, without suggesting that everyone else should do the same with their teens.

Relax and stop trying to direct threads.

Just can't help yourself, can you?

I got deleted too. It's my first time. I feel I've joined a small exclusive club. ;-)

Did somebody say something?

You can't seem to catch on to how that ignoring thing works either.

How about a compromise of the whole family going to dinner at a recommended restaurant within easy walking distance/Metro ride from your hotel on one of your first nights in town. If the girls like it, and feel they can manage the logistics of ordering and paying the bill, make a reservation for them and let them have their own night out. It will give them a thrill to be given that much independence and not subject them to any significant risk.