Post GCSEs abroad trip

[LaCerbiatta]

Is this a thing? a trip abroad after finishing your GCSEs? DS keeps pushing for it saying that everyone does it. I really don't think it's a great idea - 4 or 5 16 years old boys with zero experience of being on their own in their own country let alone abroad. Current thinking is Barcelona, which is such a busy big city...

Hate to be the mean mum but not happy about this at all.....

I wouldn't allow it, age 17 minimum (next Summer)

my ds hasn’t asked
and if he did… flat no.

I am planning to surprise him with tickets to a festival by the beach. In the uk. 2 hours from home. 3 nights camping. Him and his two besties. None of them know. I’m nervous but ok with this. No more though

too young IMO, I think post a-levels is a more appropriate time for this.

* 4 or 5 16 years old boys with zero experience of being on their own in their own country let alone abroad. Current thinking is Barcelona, which is such a busy big cit*

they will stick out like sore thumbs

at least you know they’ll be served alcohol…. No where including shops!!

Yeah, my 16yo tried to convince me that this was a thing and waned to go to Paris with friends over the summer. I shut it down really quickly, and so did the other parents. 16yo kids running around a capital city abroad? Er, no.

They will struggle with accommodation at that age. No-one wants a group of 16 yos without an adult.

I doubt they’d get accommodation and no I wouldn’t even contemplate allowing it.

Thank you so much for validating my concerns! DH is inclined to let him go and all the other parents think it's a great idea 🤨

I think we haven't been firm enough on this and created alse hope. Will have to make a decision and stand firm!

That's a good point. Haven't heard directly from them but tbh not surprised they've agreed to it, at least 2 of them.

No especially not Barcelona. They'll have their stuff nicked in seconds. Doubt they will be able to book accommodation without an over 18 in each room.

Nope nope nope. 18 is the magic number. They can go abroad at 18. Anything before that they are a child.

The usual post GCSE trip around here is Reading or Leeds festival. Abroad is usually the following year or post A levels.

I wouldn't shut it straight down if I was my DS (currently Y12). Purely because I know him and his friends and they are all well travelled sensible kids. I think they'd struggle to find suitable accommodation and I'd be picky on the destination . Would definitely be more comfortable if they waited until post A Levels.

Boardmasters?

At that age camping or a youth hostel within 2 hours drive from you is far more sensible! Post gcse trip to the Reading Festival is a thing where we lived

God no.

But mine is quite a loner, thoroughly innocent and walks around in a bubble inside his own head and doesn't have any friends IRL so it would not come up.

We are planning a big family trip to Australia where his GPs and cousins live though.

FWIW- I have only known one single occasion where post-GCSE boys did a trip on their own. For kids who are much more wordly and independent and even then although they were doing a rail trip through a Europe, they had a parent trailing them about a day behind and leaving them alone unless it was neccessary. (Said parent had recently been made redundant so was deputised by the other parents).

I may have asked my dad, will not be allowing her to go with her mates!

For those who go away it’s more normal for a local trip post GCSEs and abroad after A levels. Local trip usually a festival/ camping/ youth hostel type trip.

Thanks all, this is really helpful!

As others have suggested, I went with 3 schoolfriends youth hostelling on the Isle of Wight after my O-levels. I was 15 and it was quite adventurous for my first holiday without family. Good way to start.

Very few places to stay for a group of 16 years old. One option is parents go and leave them to plan the day and sort themselves out. Better option is not a big city but smaller places or towns.

Yes would happily do this and just be close by but out of their way. It's a resounding no though!