16 dd and friend on same holiday as us but staying in separate accommodation - would you be ok with this?

[SK1973]

Dd16 and her friend (almost 16) are coming away with us for a week on a very large holiday park on the south coast.

We (dh, myself and dog) are staying on the dedicated touring area with our touring caravan. Dd and and friend joined us last year and stayed in a tent next to the caravan but this year as a treat for sitting their exams I’ve paid for them to stay in a luxury lodge on the same site but it’s some way from the touring area (the site is so large there are little buses taking holiday makers from caravan area and through to the main entertainment area and to the private beach etc).

I was quite content with this set up and so too were the girls but my friend has said she thinks they are too young to be left to it and left alone all night! I’m having a wobble now. Yes they will be sleeping in the lodge on their own but obviously dh and I are on the site and just a call away, I’ll check in on them every day and each evening before bed, they aren’t holidaying completely independently.

Would you be ok with this set up?

I can't see any issue with this, assuming the parents of her friend are fine with it. And you trust they'll lock the door at night.

Friend has no dc

That wtf is sticking her beak in and why on earth are you bothered.

I really don't see any problem with this.

16 dd and friend on same holiday as us but staying in separate accommodation - would you be ok with this?

Yes, did that with dd a couple of times as she and her friend moved towards independence.

Thousands of 16 year olds will be camping at Reading & Leeds unaccompanied for 4 days this summer! Your friend is being ridiculous, they'll be fine.

It all depends on how mature they are. You say it is a lodge. Are they going to cook, make toasts, coffee? Can they be trusted to do so without burns/ fire?
Can they be trusted not to take the chance to drink?
But my main concern would be, what about if a horrible person happens to be around and spot two teens alone?
I think your idea of giving them independance is great, but I would keep them by my side on evenings/ nights. You mention buses and all. I would not be happy to be far away enough that I cannot hear them calling me.

My parents did something similar with me at the same age. We had separate apartments on holiday with my friend. They were around in terms of support but we did our own thing. It worked well! We were sensible enough. I don’t know about being a distance away though. Sometimes camping is a long way from static lodges etc.

At 16 I was off on holiday just me and my friends, no adults. I was off to uni and living independently. What exactly do you think will go wrong?

It is very normal for DC to go to festivals or seaside holidays after GCSES so I would be fine with this set up.The campsite might not agree of course .

Two 16yo staying at the same location/campsite. I’d have no issue with it.

you might want to have some ‘structure’ in place like we all have breakfast and timer together, let us know if you go out of the premises etc…

Are they going to cook, make toasts, coffee? Can they be trusted to do so without burns/ fire?

🤯🤯🤯
They are 16yo!
I really Hope they can be trusted to cook for themselves!!

Are so many teenager that incompetent?

I wouldn't think twice about allowing this, I think it's a fab idea. But of independence but with you close by. Far safer than camping on their own, youth hostelling or going to a festival, all of which are things that 16 year olds frequently do after GCSEs finish. If they get scared you can go and stay with them.

Hope you all have a lovely time!

@MushMonster my 8 year old can be trusted to make himself toast...I would be horrified if a 16 year old with no SEN couldn't cook an entire meal and tidy up without adult supervision. Are there really 16 year olds around who have to have adults make their breakfast for them?!