DS has quit his job to go travelling with a girl he just met

Just classic MN

What an amazing opportunity for him! It will do wonders for his confidence and be a trip of a lifetime time. Not sure what you’re worrying about. He can get another job when he comes back.

@ilosttheracoonjack as a civil engineer he won’t have any issues picking up a job once he settles back in so I wouldn’t be too worried.

It does seem a little fast but we don’t know, maybe he has been wishing for an opportunity like this for a while now. 24 is so young.

Sounds like a wonderful opportunity for him, OP! Why don’t you want him to go? Could be the best year of his life. Could not be. But either way, he’ll learn so much about himself and about life.

He’ll get another job when he returns.

He has his whole adult life to get working years on his cv.

One year out of 40 is not going to cause some detrimental harm to his career.

That’s fab. I wish I had done that when I was younger. All the best to your DS!

It sounds fun but agree given he doesn't know her that well he should not carry her luggage! He will get to see some of the world and settle down later.

How exciting! OP if you're son is shy / reserved this will be a great experience for him. You don't want him living on the periphery of life for his whole teens and 20s. If it's all a bit of a mistake he can come home and get a new job.

He’s in love. How wonderful. Of course this is good thing. He’ll be your son forever and you want him to be happy forever and that often involves no regrets from missed opportunities.
When else should people travel? He got a good job a year ago so he can do that again. Where is the woman from? Are you worried he’ll not come back?!

Given the context, of you moving at a crucial point and him losing his confidence as a result, I'd say this is exactly what me needs right now. He's done everything he 'should' have done, and is now taking a brave leap to do something exciting. If he had done it a couple of years ago between uni and jobs or school and uni no-one would have batted an eye.

Be supportive, excited and keep an eye out for him. He'll hopefully come back with new experiences and confidence to take back into a workplace.

If she ends up pregnant??
She doesn't sound like the type who wants that yet.
Should he just never spend any time around women by that logic?
A CV is really not all that matters in life and I bet it does him no harm to get some life experience anyway.
If he's 24 it's unlikely to be both his first job and only one he's held for a short time, he's likely been out 2 years or so.

@merediththethird I know it's not the same as being young and carefree, but travelling with small kids is so great. Stressful, but great. People are so kind to you and seeing it through the kids' eyes is amazing. In Nepal rn with 9 year old and 2 year old and it's lovely. Those gruelling bf nights won't last forever even though it feels like it!

Let him have a youth.

They only met in November.

Enjoy life, have fun and travel when you are young and have no responsibilities,
Better to be happy no?

I think this advice is more about randoms you’ve met on holiday, not long term partners ffs.

I'd be very wary that she has latched in to him so quickly and appears to have love bombed him to turn his head to such an extent that he's packed his job in and now has a travel itinerary with her.

He may have been targeted to be an unwitting drug mule.

Is she very attractive, perhaps more attractive than he would usually date?

If not and it's genuine, then travelling is great. All of ours had a year out to travel the world and returned safely.

Dear god, get a grip. He's going backpacking. He's 24. I'm sure he's seen enough programmes to know not to do this. He's not some daft sod who's been offered a 'free holiday' for carrying a suitcase....
Stop pissing on his chips, and stop worrying @ilosttheracoonjack . People have lives to lead!

I suppose it depends what one's personal experiences have been. It doesn't harm to advise caution. Particularly as the risks hadn't even crossed OP's mind.

Was he in a job or a career?

How wonderful for him. So exciting - and well planned too. You say it’s out of character for him but you also say he was a confident child. I think he may be on a path not only to discover the world but to (re)discover his true self as well! I’d be so happy for him. The job can wait!

Laughing so much about how this thread went from a lighthearted joke from her son that his gf would have too much stuff to carry, to her being a big drugs mule, recruited to snare someone and he will end up spending 25yr in some hell hole jail. Yes of course it’s sensible advice never to take someone else’s luggage but this lighthearted comment has been taken way out of context and is not a blooming red flag. Seriously.

He's so young, he can pick up his career when he returns. It might really increase his confidence too.

Bangkok Hilton though! I remember watching that as a child (probably too young) and it's scarred me for life - no-one touches my case 😂

If he can’t do it now when can he? I would be pleased for him - exciting times!