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Terrified of daughter going to festival

57 replies

dreamer24 · 20/08/2024 21:26

I'm a very anxious person in general and even more so as a mother so I'm aware this might be excessive to some, but my DD (just turned 18) is going to her first festival this week and I'm really anxious. She's going with a large group of friends (mixed sex), and she's generally a really sensible girl, but I can't help but feel sick with anxiety.

Are there any tips I can give her to keep her safer? Any tips from other parents of teens for how not to worry myself sick and lose sleep every night this week? 😞

OP posts:
IDontHateRainbows · 20/08/2024 21:49

Don't double drop.

Moier · 20/08/2024 21:47

Is it the leeds festival?
My Grandson went last year.. and he's going this year ( just turned 19 and Aspergers).
They only go for one day and not an overnight.
It's hard not to worry.
We just say " we trust you.. please don't betray our trust".
Have fun and be safe.
Obviously we've had the talks of drink/ drugs etc.

Peonies12 · 20/08/2024 21:47

dreamer24 · 20/08/2024 21:43

Thanks for your replies. I've not let her see my anxiety, I'm trying my best to be breezy and excited but underneath I'm panicking 😢

She has life 360 on her phone so if the worst happened I'd at least know where she was (at least approx).

She knows about not accepting drinks from anyone and her friends are (mostly) very sensible. One or two of the lads aren't but she does tend to put them in their place a bit so I'm hoping she keeps that wise head on.

Parenting teens is just awful, much rather parent a toddler any day, at least you know where they are even if they're causing mayhem 😂

But very likely she’ll run out of phone battery or switch it off to preserve battery, so don’t panic if you can’t see her. I assume she has fully consented to being tracked. She’s not a teen, she’s an adult!

Itsrainingatlast · 20/08/2024 21:45

Is it Reading/Leeds?
I’m volunteering at Reading; they have set a system of AIRHubs (assistance, information and response) which are based in the campsites and are there to provide support to young people (the demographic is very young), a place to chill, get help, or just have a quiet few moments. We also have lots of toilet paper!
On the one hand, a lot happens at festivals that really shocks me (I work in a school!), but Reading and Leeds have put a lot of effort into making the festivals as safe a possible and to make sure there are lots of people there to provide help if needed. I think the biggest thing that people under estimate is how exhausting festivals are; five days of not much sleep, rubbish food and lots of people all the time. The phone signal at Reading is good and there’s lots of charging points, so she should be able to keep in touch.
And tell her and her friends to use W3W to share meeting points!

dreamer24 · 20/08/2024 21:43

Thanks for your replies. I've not let her see my anxiety, I'm trying my best to be breezy and excited but underneath I'm panicking 😢

She has life 360 on her phone so if the worst happened I'd at least know where she was (at least approx).

She knows about not accepting drinks from anyone and her friends are (mostly) very sensible. One or two of the lads aren't but she does tend to put them in their place a bit so I'm hoping she keeps that wise head on.

Parenting teens is just awful, much rather parent a toddler any day, at least you know where they are even if they're causing mayhem 😂

OP posts:
dijonketchup · 20/08/2024 21:39

Get her a water bottle she can refill, tell her to make back-up meeting plans with her friends in case they all lose phone signal, and make clear you trust her and that it’s her festival at her own pace that matters: if she wants to go to bed, no shame, go to bed! (I went to many festivals from age 15, I was fine as were all my friends.)

Peonies12 · 20/08/2024 21:31

I went to Glastonbury when I was 18. First thing, do not let her know you’re worried. Expect no contact as phone signal usually awful, and phone battery limited. Keep yourself busy, and trust her. Sounds like she’s sensible but remind her of not taking drinks from strangers or leaving drinks unattended, drinking water and eating, don’t take anything she isn’t prepared to lose, and honestly, drugs will be around, so do talk about that rather than ignore it.

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