There are plenty of anxious moments when it comes to teenage children. They are undergoing so many changes, experiencing so many new things that it is inevitable there will be some difficulties along the way. However, perhaps one of the biggest challenges is your child’s first unsupervised holiday. The prospect of high spirits in an unfamiliar environment is enough to get any parent’s blood pressure racing. However, there are a few things you can do which will both help you cope with the experience and be useful for your child too.
- Prepare documents: Ultimately, you want to know that your child is safe. An important basic step towards this is to make sure that you have copies of all your child’s important documents, such as insurance policy and a photocopy of their passport. That way, if anything happens to them, you are in a position to help. After all, a reported 15,000 Brits under 25 lost their passport on holiday during a single year! In addition, make a copy of their itinerary including contact numbers for bookings, etc.
- Know who they’re travelling with: The group that they travel with will largely set the tone for your child’s trip. You will likely know most of their friends already, but if there are some you aren’t familiar with, it’s a good idea to become more familiar before they travel.
- Be healthy: For so many reasons, it can be miserable if you’re unwell abroad. Sometimes it can’t be avoided, but make sure that your child has had the relevant vaccinations and understands what they can and can’t reasonably eat. A basic first aid kit, plus insect repellent is also a good idea.
- Safety first: Your child is travelling to have fun, but make sure that they know what kind of behaviour you expect. Safety covers a wide area, but emphasise the importance of everyday care such as staying hydrated and keeping cash out of sight. In addition, there are perhaps more serious issues you’d like to discuss such as responsible drinking and even safe sex. Perhaps above all else, ask that your child stays with the group. That way, if they get into trouble, someone will be on hand to help.
- Money matters: You will want to make sure that your child has easy access to cash. Check whether travellers’ cheques are a good idea, but it’s usually advisable to make a debit or credit card available too. This also allows you to follow their financial activity online, which will help ensure that they spend responsibly and give you the chance to track their progress and make sure they’re OK.
- Travel worries: Wherever your child is going, travelling might be a whole different experience from what they’re used to. If they’re driving, make sure that they understand the local rules of the road. It is also important to find out how safe some modes of transport are in certain countries. Look out for reliable and cost-effective methods of transport, such as coach tickets across much of Europe and trains in other parts of the world.
- Regular contact: Hopefully your child will be having far too much fun to call you for an in-depth daily conversation. However, for your own sake at least, you will want some regular contact with them. Arrange for a regular call or SMS so that you know all is well. Depending on your relationship with your child, you might also consider following them on social media.
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