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Is it a good idea to allow parents to come along on youth trips?
We are a staff of volunteer youth workers without a YM who are dealing with parents who needs to know why we have a no-parent policy. The policy is new, & we believe it is the best way to handle the group.
We believe students would be more free to relax and be themselves without their parents nearby. Two sets of parents are very offended that we feel this way and refuse to send their kids on trips now. They say their kids are being treated unfairly by not being allowed to go on trips, when it is really the parents who are more at the center of our decision. The kids are free to go on trips, as long as their parents are not there too. We want it to only be youth workers. We need to talk to them about it very soon.
What are your thoughts?
- 5 Answers
- In Leadership
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- by
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- Ken Turner
- 560 Views
- 1 year ago
Answers
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YES, YES & YES!!! Get's them connected, on board and they get a feel for what student ministry is all about and when you talk about events or behavior issues they all ready know about it because they are connected! |
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I have been doing student ministry for over 12 years and if you can parents invovled then I say let them go. They can also provide help during the trip. |
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I agree. Sometimes partnering with parents is best done by allowing parents to partner with you. I understand why you would make such a policy. In my own ministry, here's where I draw the line: I will not let a parent come on an event if their only interest is their kid, rather than having an interest in youth ministry. I have had to explain to some parents that I am not looking for chaperons. I am looking for adults who have an interest in getting involved in kids' lives in order to show them Jesus. If they would prefer not to be involved in a kid's life, other than their own son/daughter, I respectfully decline their offer to chaperon. When a parent has wanted to be a leader to other kids, they normally turn out to be my best leaders! |
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I completely agree with pastor E. Why would you not have parents involved. Remember, it's their responsibility to raise their children first and foremost. As youth leaders your goal is to be an external example of Christ and to do everything in your means to push to kids towards their parents and support the parents. Youth ministry actually fails when it pushes out the parents and family. |
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I think what you all are doing, even though it is with good intentions, is absolutely wrong. I understand that you all are wanting them to open up more and that they would probably do that more if their parents weren't there, but one of our jobs is to partner with, not step in the place of, parents. Try to work on stuff to where it gets them talking to each other again. Maybe one reason the kids today aren't open with parents is everyone else is jumping in and making the gap wider and wider between students and parents. Try to bridge the gap to get them worshipping, serving, studying, and talking about God...the way it was supposed to be from the beginning. I think God's way might be better than anything we can think up. |
