to say to 16 year old dd 'no, you are not going on a post-GCSE piss-up to Vile Newquay?

[GetOrfMoiiLand]

Apparently I am the only mother in the entire United Kingdom who has said no.

She has said that she won't drink, she just wants to go because 'everybody in year 11 is going, mum, and I will feel left out'.

She evidently thinks I was born yesterday.

It's a slippery slope - first it was proms, now 'spring break' stylee going off after GCSEs - what next Primary school leavers wanting weekend breaks too unsepervised cos' thats what their older siblings did when they left 'school'.

Would not allow any of our DS' to go - off to uni and then do what they like at 18 when they are classed as an adult under the law.

Went to Newquay years ago and it was a nice place - but doubt we'd go back now - pity these places get spoilt like that.

Someone just said that Ilfracombe used to be nice until is was invaded.

I think the last time Ilfracombe was a nice place to go on holiday was 1889.

I would be making the decision based on the child.

I was the most sensible and independent of my brothers and sisters! but I was a late Aug birthday so was not allowed to do this - tbf I was only 15 and some of my friends nearly 17!

If your DD is almost 17yo bare in mind she could be driving herself there a few months after you said no!

the police are expecting her
ID

When I was 16, A friend and I walked across Scotland using youth hostels and a tiny tent, great fun, and very safe, too tired to get pissed each night.

My DS went and he was an August birthday so only 15yrs. However he is sensible, he went with only three very sensible friends and they working it out with one of the mums that I trusted and they stayed on a strict camp site some way out. They were fine.
However, that is a few years ago now and I expect it is much worse.
You do have to bear in mind that they are almost adults and in a way I preferred it to DS3 who didn't go anywhere at that age but went to Turkey after A'levels when 18yrs. Once they are 18yrs they can go off around the world alone, if they have the money so it makes sense to start small in UK first when younger.
It depends on the DC and the group. I'm not keen on large groups-too much bravado.

My brother walked the Pennine Way at 16yrs-almost suffered from exposure but it did wonders for his self confidence. He went with one friend.

Oh no, Newquay used to be nice, didn't it? 20 years ago? :(

I wonder if this thread has resurfaced due to this Media request...

FWIW I would be in the yes to going away with friends, no to Newquay camp. I really don't understand why anyone would willingly put their child in harm's way by sending them to a troublespot known to attract some very scary characters indeed and giving them implicit encouragement to drink themselves silly.

OOh well spotted AKMD.

I saw that this 6 month old thread was resurrected earlier today by someone purporting to be a post GCSE student.

Hmmm.

Newquay is now horrible-the smell of chips frying at 5pm made me feel ill! (I didn't see it later!)
Rock is equally spoilt by the private school brigade who are probably worse, as they are arrogant with it.

I generally spot these old threads and don't get taken in-I missed this.

After GCSEs a group of us-boys and girls- went to Tenby and got drunk for a week. After A-levels, Ibiza. Both times, I had to pay for myself out of my Saturday pub job earnings Not that it made me any better behaved.

With you 100%, our 16 yr old went last year to a local music festival with 3 friends a compromise for all mums involved. They had a great time staying over 3 nights.

Zombie thread alert

DS went to Padstow last summer after GCSE's. Went with three friends, stayed in a cottage in which someone else's mum had installed her ageing father and his new girlfriend - just to keep a bit of an eye and make a lot of pasta. They met up with various mates and met new ones. Had a fabulous time and I truly believe the sheisha (sp) pipe they smoked on the beach was really and truly only herbs. They were in bed by no later than 3am every night.

Went on the train and found his way back again all on his own. Was just a bit pissed that we required him home afer five days because he had to go to the South of France with his tiresome family.

He's going to the Algarve for a week soon with the same lads.