Allowing your son or daughter to make the move to study in the States is a tough decision for any parent, and even more so if they are an only child. However, the fear shouldn't be "how will they cope in an emergency" or "what if ....?". This move is just like leaving home and going to Uni, college or moving in with a friend here in the UK. The only difference is it's in America and not somewhere near to home.
I have always been of the opinion that children (young adult) will only "find themselves" if allowed the space to do so. Keeping them close to hand while great for you in no way permits them to develop and learn to problem solve and deal with the wider world.
So if you are currently wrestling with this decision I would urge you to think back to when you were their age. Did you want to be tied to YOUR parents at that age? Do you regret having done so? If the answer is yes then you know what you should do next, don't you?
I have always been of the opinion that children (young adult) will only "find themselves" if allowed the space to do so. Keeping them close to hand while great for you in no way permits them to develop and learn to problem solve and deal with the wider world.
So if you are currently wrestling with this decision I would urge you to think back to when you were their age. Did you want to be tied to YOUR parents at that age? Do you regret having done so? If the answer is yes then you know what you should do next, don't you?