london bombings

[chilliwitch]

Due to the bombings in London and being a confirmed terrorist attack pls could abers give me some serious advice.my son is due to go on a school trip Monday to Germany.He will be travelling by coach to Dover,Ferry across to Calais then coach again to Germany(Black Forest)Am I being a neurotic parent now because I am having serious doubts about letting him go as obviously he has to travel through France then stay in Germany,2 of the countries involved in the G8 summit.Maybe i'm making mountains out of molehills but I am so unsure of what to do.He has been looking forward to this for a year but should I still let him go?????

[Clanad]

My personal, deepest sympathies and condolences to the dead, wounded and their families during this time.  The US and Britain have long been friends and allies and have overcome horrendous difficulites in the past.  It's my hope that this generation has the same fortitude and stick-to-itness as the previous ones.  Again, I think I speak for most Americans when I say how deeply we feel about the pain and suffering ya'll are undergoing at the moment...

[twiglet4frog]

i think the chances of there being anything terrorist related happening to your son is about as likely as him getting hit by lightening. I think to stop him going would allow people like the terrorists to win, However, I do understand your feelings as it isnt easy letting them go away and missing them at the best of times without all this going on at the moment on top. So my advice is to do what makes u and him the happiest at the end of the day and stick by that. Anyone who has kids will understand how difficult a situation u are living in right now and i wish u luck in whatever u choose.

[justineo]

Hi chilliwitch, I think I would be feeling the same as you to be honest.  After the Birmingham pub bombings my parents wouldn't let me us go out anywhere public for quite a while and I thought they were overreacting.  I feel very different now as a parent.  It's most likely that your son will have a safe and happy journey.  I feel that we shouldn't give in to terrorism by staying at home and limiting our freedom. 

[Xollob]

Yes. Definitely. Life has to go on. What is the alternative? Never use public transport again? Avoid theatres, cinemas, shopping centres? Enough personal freedoms have been eroded in the "war on terror", and there is not a lot we can do about much of it. I don't think we should start curtailing voluntarily the freedoms over which we still have some control.
Some foreign travel could be described as reckless in the current climate, but not the Black Forest. I hope your son has a great time there.

[VINNY100_2]

Well said clanad and well said twigletfrog:This is a difficult time but these Bar*****ds will never beat us.

[don1]

He will probably be safer being out of Britain than in it.

[Jules001]

I would say that if the school are prepared to take the children then you should let your son go. It is very worrying, my son went to America with his school in the February after 9/11 and I was unsure whether to let him go. My husband said that it was probably safer for him to travel as security was then heightened. As has been said, you cannot stop leading an ordinary life for fear of something happening. Ultimately though we can give advice, but the decision at the end of the day is still up to you.

[BigDogsWang]

During the 70's, 80's and 90's Britain was at the mercy of the IRA. Did it stop people going about their daily business?

Al Qaeda's aim is to strike fear into the heart of people, and cause widespread panic. This is very effective for the first few months after an attack, and everyone is a little nervous, especially if they are going on a trip somewhere soon. But consider this: this is only the 3rd such attack by Al Qaeda on Western targets in the last FOUR years. Not exactly a high percentage. So yes, I think you can assume it will be safe for your son to go on his trip. By backing down, you will only instill fear in him.

My condolances go out to all those affected by today's events.

I also now fear for the genuine peace loving Muslims of this country, as you can be sure the BNP will be the first to shout 'revenge', and those blessed with 3 brain cells will follow.

 

[jake-the-peg]

Of course you should let him go.

He's probably in more danger from food poisoning!

[chilliwitch]

Many thanks to all of you who replied.I'm feeling a bit better now after reading your responses.I think you're all right and that it is very unlikely that anything would happen.Whether he stays or goes I would worry anyway but as most of you said Life goes on and you can't stop living it on the" what ifs".Hopefully nothing else will happen over the next few days(or ever).Once again thank you all

[netibiza]

Yes let him go.  This is the hard part of parenting - but life goes on.  Your son must enjoy his childhood. Worry when something has happened.  You cannot go through life being dictated to by terrorists.  Mind you I would also worry,  but you cannot hold back your son.