to have expected a 16 year old to be able to pack for a 5 day trip?

[RageAgainstTheVendingMachine]

Just that really. Thanks in advance x

It's difficult OP I totally get where you're coming from. I have that same instinct to protect my DC from every negative thing that might happen to them. The thing is though this won't be the end of the world, at 16 it is a good thing she makes her own choices, even when they sometimes go wrong.

I have had very little to do with packing since they were about 11.
Thus us due to them going in scout camps frequently. I would tell them to take the kit list upstairs and shout down if they needed anything.
As a family a lot of our holidays are back packing so they got used to packing light ( or carrying s heavy load. Their first holiday abroad without us was to Turkey at 16 ( with another family)and the only thing I said was make sure you have your passport and other docs.
They've never ranted at me for not helping.

OP start repeating at her from her return that her stuff is her responsibility to sort out and then ignore her hysterics about it being your fault.

This is one of the reasons in my family all teenagers from about aged 13 do their own laundry and ironing. Most get given a set day and period to wash their clothes on e.g. Friday evening or Saturday morning.

Some people on here think it is weird but the aim is to help get them independent enough so they can leave home and do things for themselves. (I have directed some of my nephews and some older adults to the wonders of YouTube on how to do household tasks.)

It's difficult OP I totally get where you're coming from. I have that same instinct to protect my DC from every negative thing that might happen to them
I agree with you. Its yard to step back but over the years I've learned to say " your problem is not my issue" obviously only when its something of their own making and they've left things to the last minute and they want me to sort it, like nans birthday card or something!
I've tried to teach them people can't always pick up their slack if they leave things to last minute because they want to play on the x box

I would help pack and fold so it was neat and tidy for when they get there. It would be a joint activity.

I would help pack and fold so it was neat and tidy for when they get there. It would be a joint activity.
This made me smile. I am rubbish at folding shirts but DS" worked in a clothes shop and is used to folding things neatly. I have tried many times to help with him putting away laundry but he mutters under his breath ' Jeez, you really have no idea!!'

All good family banter in our house!

I remember staying with relative aged 15 before going on holiday. When I came to pack the night before leaving, my aunt came to help. She didn't do it for me; just double checked I'd remembered everything and gave me a few tips like putting socks inside shoes.

It felt lovely that someone was willing to spend a bit of time just making sure I had everything I needed.

Our school always provides a list. DS packs himself. When we used to go on holiday with little ones the mumsnet packing list was a godsend. The idea is to make them more independent if they are doing the D of E. I went this morning to get the euros and some snacks though

My 15, 17 and 18 year olds packed for themselves for Poland earlier this year - I'd given them advice and told them no moaning if they were cold
The 8 year old also picked his clothes etc - but I did go through his bag and suggest changes (and he was on the you need X trousers, X tops, X jumpers and your pyjamas understanding)

A 16 year old should be able to pack for a trip.
If its the first time, then she might forget things like plug adaptors, currency, suncream etc but she really should be able to pack a basic kit.

My 15 year old DS does but I still ask him what he packed afterwards......just incase. but yeah fuck that packing for a 15 year old, I'm not teaching him that he should have slaves

So... Your dd argued with you about what to take and then complained you hadn't packed for her? Obviously SWBVU.

As an aside, I'm sure she'd appreciate the independence and sense of adulthood that learning to do her own (and other people's) laundry would bring her

My kids packed for themselves from about age 9. I can’t understand why a 16 year could not pack.