Welcome to ePlaya!!
I am a single parent and my two guys were 16 & 17 the first time I went to Burning Man. I drove down from Saskatchewan Canada with our regional BM rep. I took two weeks off work, paid the bills, gave the kids some cash for food, and left. Burning Man was the best, worst, amazing, horrific, fantastic experience that exceeded my wildest dreams.
When I got home, the house was still there, the kids were fine (as was the cat). So, if you can wrangle it - do so.
I suggest you get in touch with the closest regional group.
http://regionals.burningman.com/na_index.html For me, the guidance I received was priceless.
2012 will be my 6th burn in a row. My now adult children tolerate my BM stories. They even show a bit of interest in going. My youngest, when I first invited him replied "There is no way in Hell that I am going to that Fu_king Hippie-Fest"

Nice to know he had an opinion.
So, read the Survival Guide from cover-to-cover:
http://www.burningman.com/preparation/e ... index.html Do some research (google "eplaya _subject_") and if you can't find an exact answer, we are here. (be warned, that you might get some snark for the FAQ style questions. We mostly arn't assholes in person

)
See ya on the Playa