Teenager wants to go to reading music festival

[Reynolia]

My 16yr daughter wants to go to Reading music festival with a small group of her friends in the summer. Apart from the cost (£200) I am uncomfortable with the idea of her being there without any adult supervision. She thinks I'm being unreasonable and tells me loads of girls from her school go each year and to quote her ' have the best time of their lives'. I have voiced my concerns about drunkenness , drugs, sex and she scoffs at me and says she doesn't get involved with this sort of thing. I do trust her in this respect, but still very worried as i am fully aware that this sort of thing goes on.Does anyone have any experience of their children going to music festivals (especially Reading) at this age. I'd really like some input.

[HopAlongOnItsOnlyChristmas]

If you trust her about the drink/drugs/sex (though she will not be able to buy alcohol anyway, they are very strict about ID ime) then I would let her go. I've been to Reading, and she is right that she really will have an amazing time. If she's in a group and they are sensible enough about not getting separated and taking care of herself and her personal belongings, and knowing what to do if something does go wrong, then she will most likely be fine. It will be an amazing experience.

[squeakytoy]

She is 16.. do you keep her indoors at all times? She can do sex drink and drugs without being at a festival anyway.

What will it achieve by stopping her going.

[ICameOnTheJitney]

I went at that age but here's the hook....I had to pay myself. My parents would NEVER have shelled that out. I had a saturday job and saved. If she can't come up with the cash now, maybe you can front her and she can pay back? She is old enough now you know.

[GhostsInSnow]

DS went to Leeds at that age with mates, though he'd been with me several times from a very young age so knew what to expect.
He did pay for it himself though.

He was fine and arrived home on the monday happy, dirty and knackered.

[KellyElly]

I would let her go. She's old enough. Pretty much all of my friends were going to festivals at that age (apart from the ones with overbearing parents).

[SaucyJack]

If she wants to get wasted and have casual sex, then at some point she will. You can't keep her locked up forever.

Far better to teach her self-respect and common sense.

[Rosa]

I went at 17 ... got approached by a chap in the queue who offered us back stage passes ( to the bit in front of the stage) . Cost us £5 each and he took us in there to show it was not a scam !
I was so happy and it was fantastic .....Saved loads of money as well !!

[WhereIsMyHat]

I went at the exact same age, the day I collected my GCSE results. It was brilliant, I got up to far worse back in my home town!

[ElleMcFearsome]

I'm letting DD2 go this year as she'll be 16. Some of her friends have been going (unsupervised, as far as I'm aware) since they were 14. If she's going with mates, I'm sure they'll be fine. I'm a bit about it too, but like Saucy says, they'll be doing all that stuff at some point probably and I'd rather not be there to witness the carnage

[bobs]

I have 16 and 20 yr old DDs and regard myself as pretty liberal. However i would say that 16 is a tad young for Reading. She might be sensible and there might be a lot of help around for those who get into any sort of bother, but is she really old enough to handle herself with everything that goes on at music festivals??? Only you can answer that. Personally I would not have let mine go at that age. DD1 went on holiday abroad with friends when she was 17 but DD2 would probably need to be 18 - they're all different

[thebody]

she's 16!! of course she should be able to go.

however do what we did and make her pay for herself or pay you back.

in my opinion all 16 year olds should have a part time job.

[Shonajoy]

I'd let her too. My dd did Rockness, wicker man, and t in the park at that age. We have pals that run a shop at all the festivals, so I felt a bit better, but I would have let her go if she texted me a few times.

[SoonToBeSix]

I would let her if she is 16 and in sixth form but not if she is still in year 11 just due to maturity.

[joydivisionovengloves]

I've been going since I was 15. Never had a problem. Had to pay for my own ticket but it was about 30 quid in those days! Give her a cheap mobile with a battery that'll last for days so she can call you if you're worried.

[AlwaysSnoozing]

I would let her go. I went when I was 17 (two years back) and they were noticeably stringent about drink. It was amazing. Se will come back exhausted, dirty to the bone and over the moon if you let her go.

[MarlboroughMillie]

I have 3 teenage daughters. the eldest two both went to Reading with their friends when they were 16. I found it hard to let them go, but as others have said, they can get up to mischief wherever they are, so if you trust them, then at some point you have to loosen the apron strings a bit. They absolutely loved it, and my youngest, who turns 16 this year, will be there too. They ask for money for birthday and Christmas to pay for it.
I think pretty much all their friends go - it's all about teenagers. just don't expect to get your tent back - they leave them behind, and come home more filthy than you think is humanly possible!

[Tinpin]

Mine all went at 16. The youngest two years ago .They had to pay for themselves from money earned from Saturday jobs. I was very nervous especially with the oldest. They all returned safely and had had a wonderful time. Buy cheap tents - you are not likely to see them again and expect her to return dirty and shattered. She really will be ok.

[comingintomyown]

Yes let her go she is 16 !

[Nanny0gg]

My daughter went to V and camped overnight at that age.

And I am considered very over-protective.

She survived!

[BellaVita]

Honestly she will be fine.

Very cheap mobile, no expensive items, old clothes, wellies. Job done.

[natwebb79]

I also went at exactly the same age the day I collected my GCSE results. I would definitely let her go.

[BellaVita]

If you are worried about them pitching a tent, DS1 stayed in the "Pink Moon Camping" section at Leeds Fest in August. It is a pre pitched tent with air beds and sleeping bags, you just walk away from it when you leave. Has 24 hour security, toilets and showers are cleaned ALL THE TIME and there is even a cabin with hair straighteners and hair dryers. Think the two weekend tickets in total came to £500, worth every penny.

[LightastheBreeze]

Let her go but tell her to get a part time job to pay for it or maybe Birthday/Christmas present money. No way would I just shell out £200.

[thegreylady]

Reading is the perfect festival for that age group. She will be fine :)

[Caitlin17]

DS went to T in the Park for the first time a week before his 16th birthday. He was away Thursday night to Monday morning. Admittedly if anything had gone wrong we're an hour's drive away, but nothing did.