To let my 15yo son inter-rail around Europe for 3 weeks with his 16yo pal?

My dad was hitchhiking through Europe and the Middle East at that age, and had amazing experiences, but I can't imagine my kids doing the same thing. Eurorailing seems very tame in comparison, so I didn't find the KA particularly shocking. For a 15 year old who is an experienced traveller, has enough money to avoid risky situations and had reasonable language/communication skills and some family/friends around Europe, I didn't think it's a particularly big deal, especially for a parent who has the money to come to the rescue. Honestly, hanging around the park is probably at least as dangerous.

No you shouldn't allow him to go and enjoy himself. Children need to be cosseted until they are at least 45. It would be very unsafe to let them have freedom before then and even the you must only let them out if you have constant contact.

Oh come on...this is a fake post.

'Stupid hair and silly voice'? Really? We're debating this subject and using the method of pulling apart someones physical features to get a point across. Hmmmm

I travelled to France at the age of 16 (just) to work for 6 months. All on my lonesome. Used the ferry and train. No mobile. No access to any money other than the cash I carried.

Does KAs son have 2 parents? How come it’s only the mum being criticised for this decision?

I have a couple of "forrin" 16 year olds staying with me atm (girls). They have been to various nearby towns and cities by themselves by bus and train, and spent the day wandering round London, including using the tube, by themselves.
They are both very confident and I'm sure they'd be fine interrailing too.

Like KA's son, they have phones and can call if they get into trouble or need help and advice.

I would but I am old, from the days when we were free

Who mentioned hostels? Could be staying with family and friends.

15/16 year old aren't allowed to do ANYTHING these days and then people complain about young adults at work not being able to cope with life.

My 15 and a half year old could completely handle this now if she wanted to and had the money. She says she's not going to because her friends treat her like the mum of the group and she would be responsible for them all. Additionally it's very difficult to get a job as a 15 yr old these days so she can't afford it.

In our area anybody wanting to do Alevels needs to use public transport so any 15/16( and I doubt there are many) would need to learn pdq. Inter railing would be the perfect opportunity.

And re life/ death. What life/death situation are you likely to encounter messing up a train timetable?🤔

If he is a couple of days from being 16, has good connections and resources and has been travelling most of his life and is with someone sensible then yes, absolutely.
i was/am team KA.

My eldest would have been fine. My youngest gets not so much, she'd have lost her train ticket before she got on her first train. It definitely depends on the young person and the person that they're travelling with.
I went to Spain on a coach for 17 days with a friend when I'd just turned sixteen, she was still fifteen. We had a great time but ran out of money three days before the end of the holiday. We had to eat a lot at breakfast to keep us going but it was a great learning opportunity

Well maybe if kids were let out a bit more they would be able to catch a train to the local town.

Then by 15 ( almost 16) they would be confident in themselves to travel further.

Over anxious parents are the reasons why kids these days don’t know how to cope by themselves.

I think it varies tbh. I reckon that a small percentage of 15yo would be absolutely fine and I surmise that KA’s son must be one of them if she and her partner were happy for him to go. 🤷‍♂️

My brother and I (15 and 13) flew round the globe sans parents London to Fiji with multiple airport changes.

If a person who will be 16 in a week's time, and who up to a couple of years ago could have got married, and who in Scotland could vote, wants to go on holiday with their friends, then let them.

If however the person has been wrapped in cotton wool by a parent and not even been allowed to catch public transport on their own to school, and doesn't know how to use a washing machine, then it's probably not a good idea.

Yawn.

I don't think Kirsty has done anything wrong, her son has clearly been given independence in her judgment was that he would able to cope.

😂😂

She even referred to him as ‘my little boy’ in her tweet.

I did interrailing at 17 and managed ok but there were some very hairy moments a la a train conductor telling us on a night train ‘do not sleep tonight. It is not safe for young women’. How on earth a 15yr old would feel hearing that.

I assumed there was an 18 year old with them somewhere in case of emergency

I know you’re just having a whinge about Kirstie Allsop
Ohhh I see 🤣

If he could ring home and I would fly out to wherever he is with a moments notice then yea maybe.

Well he’ll be a lot safer than sitting in his room talking to who knows who online.

Nowhere is perfectly safe He needs to wait until he’s a few years older.