Terrified of daughter going to festival

In case that she hasn't done that already, the festival probably has a map of the grounds somewhere; with info on where the first aid and contact points are and everything else.
I would look that up beforehand and try to remember important locations or be oldschool and print it out.

You can also download google maps for specific areas for offline use, and beforehand specify for which area. It can help to have some "offline" material with you, phone numbers, important addresses, any alternative ideas about how to get home in case someone wants to leave earlier; as pp said, the network might be heavily used, even with additional mobile points set up.

You don't want to start googling the train connections on a site with thousands of people; have this or other useful information already downloaded or in notes.

Sometimes festival are interrupted due to weather or other reasons and people are sent home early, or someone is overwhelmed from everything and just wants to leave. I hope it won't be the case for your daughter but it's a good backup to have the information ready.

I think it's a drugs thing

If shes going to take drugs take drugs from trusted sources. Not randomers at a festival. Very important

Sage wisdom right there 🤣

She'll be OK @dreamer24 Only natural for you to panic, you're her mama - and she's your little girl!

Wait til she decides to backpack (when she is 19,) across Europe. All the way to Russia! 😁 I was an utter wreck for those 2 weeks when my daughter did it during the second year of uni! DH was like 'meh she's OK!' He loves her as much as I do, he just doesn't worry or panic until there's a reason to.

She went across quite a few 'dead zones' for her mobile phone, (like in the mountains,) and the phone died a number of times - and so there were a number of times I couldn't get hold of her! I didn't ring her constantly, but I did message her a couple of times a day.

A few times, she didn't answer my message, so about 3-4 hours later, I would ring her, and if I got no response/her phone didn't ring, I would freak out! Too much I know! 😬 I was just panicking! I was sooooooo glad when she set foot on UK soil again!!!!

Seriously! Your DD will be fine. Bless you for caring. She's lucky to have you as a mother. 😍

oh, p.s. the next time my DD went somewhere abroad with friends (6 months later,) I was a lot more chilled. Only contacted her ONCE in a week. 😆

@PeachRose1986

Write your phone number down on a piece of paper in case she mislays phone.

Safety in numbers/stick with your friends advice and advise them to choose a landmark to meet at should they become separated.

Excellent advice!

By 18 I had been to several Festivals with Friends. My first was Leeds at 16, poor DM was a ball of anxiety but also understood I needed to experience these things..

I remember calling her after I'd seen my favourite Band headlining, squished right at the front between thousands of other fans and my bestest friends - I literally screamed down the Phone "Thank you SO much for letting Me come, Mum!" It was the best time ever. She'll be fine, these Festivals are bonkers but absolutely brilliant

This is actually something really important, have a contingency plan in case of phone loss/ theft. so a bank card as well as applepay or whatever, and insurance! My adult daughter was recently at a European festival where so many phones were stolen . Lots of people left with no access to cash etc, they had a nightmare. I haven’t seen it as such a big issue at uk festivals but better safe than sorry.

2 power banks, ideally.

Write your phone number down on a piece of paper in case she mislays phone.

Safety in numbers/stick with your friends advice and advise them to choose a landmark to meet at should they become separated.

My eldest was 16 when he went to his first festival, I worried but he had a great time. He couldn’t locate his tent one night but some lads he didn’t know at all let him sleep in theirs. Generally, people are good and look out for one another. She will be fine.

Network will likely be shit at best so don't rely on tracking. Make sure she has battery packs and can contact you to get out early on the last night. Reading and Leeds can get spicy.

Oh bless you, I was in exactly the same position last year when my DD went to her first one when she was 17. She was with a big bunch of friends and she is a sensible girl, responsible, doesn't do drugs, etc... but I was still worried. She was absolutely fine and had the time of her life. She was literally buzzing when she came home. I second pretty much what everyone else has said and the advice others have given. I had Life 360 but her phone ran out of battery towards the end of her time there, despite having power packs with her, so I had no choice but to trust she was okay. Like someone else said, there are plenty of 'older adults' around that would help her if she needed anything, and my DD said everyone was so friendly. There are first aid tents etc but just make sure she is well prepared for and has everything she needs and she will be fine. Definitely get her and her friends to have a meeting place in case they lose one another. Something that my DD and her friends did straight away when they first got there. They all looked out for each other and made sure they knew where each other was and that no-one was left alone and they were at least always in pairs. My DD is going off again on Thursday for the second year at this particular festival and she is so excited. I know its hard not to worry but she will be fine and have a fabulous time i'm sure. But I do know how you feel xx

This is going to sound very odd but one of the ‘tips’ I got from a very street-wise friend of my daughter was that if, worst case scenario, you are tempted/pressured into trying drugs, just take half the amount. If you get a bad reaction then hopefully half the amount will not do as much damage. Obviously we would all caution against and hope there are no drugs involved at all but if they are around and they are tempted this advice might just stick.
My DD did Reading aged 17 and had a ball, didn’t get involved with any drugs and came back in one piece.

@Peonies12 - I don’t understand why you wouldn’t let your child know you are going to be worried. It’s perfectly normal to be worried about your child’s first festival and I think knowing that someone is concerned about them makes them think about their potentially risky behaviour and might help keep them safe.

So sorry - she!

Hope she has a fab time!

No you need to deal with your anxiety first but advising to not take ransom drugs just because it is a festival may help

Get him to change his screensaver to display a contact number in case he loses the phone. If he's at Leedsfest Festival Angels run a café - its £9 for a thermal mug with unlimited tea & coffee throughout the festival - £7 if you bring your own reusable mug. There's also biscuits and somewhere to sit, and they will give you hot water for pot noodles or porridge etc. food is really pricey so this is an absolute godsend! It's open 24/7.

Tell her to bring layers- we are just back from Electric Picnic and it is always much colder at night than you'd expect. A hoody that you can wear in bed if needed is handy

The stewards and security are usually very helpful - if she feels worried or lost she should ask for help. Or an older woman. I am 40s and wouldn't mind helping someone at all.

Battery pack so she can charge up her phone. Or there will probably be charging points.

She won't get much sleep at night. I use earplugs and I also try to get a nap during the day. It is exhausting, but in a really fun way.

pick a meeting point with her friends... eg if we get separated we will meet at the "coca cola tent"

Hand gel and tissues! And a water bottle she can refill. Keep hydrated

She will probably come home filthy, knackered and delighted.

You will be knackered too! Try to do something enjoyable to distract yourself.

I started going to Reading from age 17 for a good few years, loved it. Honestly she’ll be fine. The group of friends will no doubt look after each other, arrange to meet in agreed places, not leave one person on their own, etc. Agree, a conversation about drugs might put your mind at rest.

I think there are things to consider that can be reassuring. Eg, there are lots of adults around, people who would help a teen in distress. There are first aiders on site, security dogs and drones.
Generally, they spend a lot of time waiting for bands and not wanting to lose their position in enclosures . Drinks are extortionately priced.
Phone reception is nearly always awful. Power banks are very useful (mine takes three!)
I ask mine to try and contact me when she’s back at the tent and in the morning if she can, though it’s not always easy for them.
I encourage mine to have what 3 words on their phones , as well as ensuring that my emergency details are accessible on the emergency screen on the phone .
It’s not a light thought but I found an unconscious teen last year whose friends dispersed fearful of consequences when they saw police arriving. Because her phone was locked , and she had no emergency screen set up, it was impossible to know her name or obviously her parents contact details etc. Or indeed if she had any medical issues (she didn’t , it was alcohol and drugs).
Eating is important, so take good filling snacks as food is so SO expensive.
Basic first aid supplies, paracetamol, ibuprofen, rehydration sachets, plasters are useful.

I was nervous about dd going to Reading last year at 17. It wasn’t drugs that worried me as she doesn’t do them (she has health anxiety) but I was worried about how she’d cope with the whole experience as she’s not great in pressurised circumstances. Anyway, she had an absolute ball and looked like a hedge monkey when she emerged four days later.