To not want my 19 year old moving to Canada alone?

I should say I had a family member do exactly this and lived it.

I would be actively encouraging her. You get one life, why waste it hanging around her hometown. She's 19. This could be an amazing experience for her. If it isn't she can come home and try something else.

haven't read the whole thread, but I would let her go.
If you can, put aside some money for an airfare home for her, so you know she can come home quickly if she needs/wants to.
Or if you can afford it, why not go out there with her and have a little holiday to see for yourself how it is.
I think it's natural to be worried about something that is unknown to yourself. But it sounds fine to me! FaceTime is a wonderful invention!!!

She will love it. A great opportunity and full of people doing the same thing as she plans to. Can't imagine not travelling and experiencing other places or thinking a deposit upon a house was the only ambition in life.

I did something similar at 20, went to Calgary as a Nanny for a year. One of the best times of my life. Biggest tip, just make sure she has a return ticket if it all goes wrong.

This is such a great opportunity for your DD. I wish I'd had the nous and the balls to do it when I was her age.

Oh your husband just sounds silly with his illogical ranting! He really does need to pipe down. You clearly have the right attitude about it.

I also went travelling at 20. Best thing I ever did.

With all the answers you got I'm sure you're already feeling better about it all now. She's planning it in the best and most comfortable way possible. WHV are great opportunities, she has a little bit of money in her pocket, and she's right that many youngsters do it : she'll be in a good support network before she even leave the UK. This is the best way for her to do this.

When I was your DD's age I took a gap year from uni and left for a 5 months road trip in India. My mom was scared shitless but she couldn't deter me. I could only contact her sporadically once I was there. There was no cellphone or such. And I had basically 200€ to my name. Think that's what could have been ! I made it out ok, it was a great experience. Young people are resourceful and they can grow so much from such a trip.

The best you can do is support your daughter while being 100% honest with her that you're kind of afraid. Tell her you won't talk her out of it and are supportive, but you would feel more at peace if she shared the details of the whole operation with you so you can understand the process. You and your husband can help her get good insurance and such for example. That will help with the anxiety.

I think you have every right to be worried OP. Canada is a long way.

I think it sounds like a great opportunity and I would do your own research so you have a better insite.

I lived in Spain at 19 to work not the same as its nearer it was daunting but I look back and I'm so glad I did it.

My son left for Canada at 20 and came back 12 yrs later.
He and dp had wonderful careers but came back to raise family. We visited at least twice a year its a fantastic safe clean country
Visited Banff and whistler amazing places also rockies
Great lakes . Amazing hospitality she will learn so much. No regrets ever and we had fantastic holidays.

I did the same thing at 18 - best decision ever! Your DH’s outlook on life makes me feel very sad for him. Your daughter will have a great experience and if it doesn’t work out, it’s not forever!

I think you should look at her drive and determination and common sense and congratulate yourself on a job really well done! Of course you'll worry but wherever she lives you'll worry tbh. Let her go and enjoy her experience. It's her life and you should let her live it as she wants without trying to pressurise her to stay home because of your and DHS worries.

Well don OP for putting your own interests aside and focusing on this as an opportunity for your daughter.

Fwiw I did the same thing at 19, absolutely loved Canada and made lifelong friends. I went on to travel around the world and live in many different countries across several continents. My parents visited me everywhere and had wonderful experiences too.

But to ease your mind a bit I can tell you once I got married and had babies I came right back to live close to my parents and they're very involved in my children's lives. They always supported my adventures and as a result we're very close now.

You are being overprotective and your DH would be unreasonable to try to talk her out of it! It’s not even like she wants to go to a particularly dangerous country — lots of people go to India, South America etc on gap years which is a riskier proposition. Canada is a really safe and cool choice of destination. She needs to spread her wings.

I did it albeit in Colorado. Was AMAZING. The best and most fun ever.

I also made a shit tonne of money being young and pretty and getting loads of tips! $250-300/day sometimes.

Change can be scary but don’t let her dad piss on her chips as he will only drive a wedge and create bad feeling.

I'd love to know where you live OP. 😀
Your DH sounds like men who work with mine....never set foot outside their town , can't understand people who have aspiration or education.
Good luck to your DD...I hope she never returns to live near such small minded people

I think it would be prudent for you to do your own research on the agency she is signing up with and also the work permit/ visa situation but other than that, what’s the problem?

I agree with the above. Just make sure the agency is legit.

Sounds brilliant, and she's ready for it! If she hates it, she can come home.

I think that you risk alienating DD if you try and talk her out of it.Canada is a beautiful Country and is one of the safest places in earth! Your DH is understandably worried at his "little girl" spreading her wings .But she is 19 and he cant stop her ! We have relatives there that we have visited and its a lovely country . I would try and be supportive .The world is a big place and she wants to see more of it.

It's only natural to be concerned and also dealing with your own feelings about her leaving home. However, she's an adult now, life is for living and she needs to go out, enjoy and even learn from her experiences. Also, member it doesn't have to be forever, especially if it's not working.

The fact she's in touch with other girls is positive. I'm sure they'll all look out for eachother and will want to make friends. Not nearly so far, but my DD is doing a year abroad with uni (she only spent six months at uni before lockdown and stayed here for year two). She was in touch with others before going, a girl met her at the airport. Her flat mate was worried about the airport journey and DD happily turned around and said she'd go and meet her as someone had done it for her. They've welcomed other students into their flat who are on their own. They all help eachother out.

Yes, it'll be a wrench for you, but once she gets there you'll start getting details of what she's doing and especially if she'll send you photos, it'll make all the difference and you'll be really proud of her.

Of all the countries she could live I struggle to think of a safer one than Canada!
By all means research the agency she is using if you are worried but it sounds like a fantastic idea to me.

Is anyone else imagining the OP's DH to be just like the husband in Shirley Valentine?

So, just think how exciting it'll be if for once you had it at a quarter past six. It'd make headlines. "World exclusive: Joe eats late."

You should be happy to have raised a smart confident daughter with initiative and curiosity about the world . It sounds like you need to do your own research to support her and also address your own fears about the unknown. I'd be proud of her and I hope she has a great time!

Your daughter sounds amazing, and Canada is a beautiful, safe country, My sister has lived there for over 25 years, with no issues.

My brother did similar in New Zealand, he had a great time