To insist DS uses bum bag on holiday?

[iwonderwhat]

DS and friend (both 18) are going on their first holiday abroad together. They are pretty sensible but possibly a bit unworldly.

I think they should each be taking bum bag with RFID protection for their passport, phone, cards and small amount of cash but DS is resisting. They are going to a Greek island for less than a week, taking carry on bags only.

I'm a bit anxious - but trying not to show it! - and may be going overboard [getting the contact details of the local British consulate] but I don't want them to come into difficulties that could be avoided. Any suggestions much appreciated! TIA

This is totally understandable parental anxiety manifesting in a bumbag. I would say condoms and rehydration salts would be more essential than a bumbag.

All you can realistically do is go through the basics (e.g. do not let your passport out of your sight while travelling then use the safety deposit boxes at the hotel, etc) and hope he listens!

The thing to really insist on is comprehensive travel insurance and make him check what he is and isnt covered for e.g. certain watersports. At his age he might already be covered on a policy you have if you have a year round policy with e.g. your bank even without you there on the same trip (but you should check carefully - I speak as a veteran of a number of serious travel insurance claims).

I dropped my 18 year old off at Download festival on Wednesday morning. He went on his own, his first ever music festival. I was full of doubts that he would make it the full 5 days, and he admitted to being excited but nervous about going on his own just before I left him. Cue emotional call to DH once I was out of the drop-off zone. By the time I'd driven home he'd sent a text saying he was set up in camp loner with help from his neighbours. From the limited contact I've had with him they have buddied up, seen most of the bands together, he's been sensible with alcohol (which was a big worry for me) and he's managed to get one of Metallica's guitar picks! He did choose to wear a bum bag across his chest with his phoneand wallet in at drop-off as he hadn't got enough hands to make sure his phone and bank card were safe but also took shorts with pockets with zips as well for the arena. I'm sure your DS won't want to lose his phone, money or card and will be sensible enough to keep them safe.

Nothing to add about bum bag but as someone who’s not socially confident

I’m full of admiration for your DS going to a festival on his own

I travelled (backpacked with friends) all over the world from the age of around 16 and am still abroad now. Bumbags are one of those things that is like a weird rumour that has spread among parents but has never really been necessary!

I was made to take one for my first ever trip by my mum who had read somewhere that it was necessary. Truth is, it simply wasn’t and hasn’t been in any country I’ve visited. Locking belongings in the room is more than adequate.

If he’s staying in backpacker hostels he will have his own locker for his belongings - he simply needs to bring his own padlock (with combination not key) so he can safely lock up his stuff and not worry about losing the key!

Asking someone to carry around a bumbag carrying all their money and valuables is actually hilariously insane if you think about it. He’s far more likely to lose it after a few drinks or even get mugged! Than to have the misfortune of staying in a hostel or hotel that doesn’t protect their customers?! Especially in this era of online reviews where customers having a bad experience could destroy their business.

Sorry - just reread and seen that he’s only going to a Greek island and not even backpacking 😂😂 nobody needs to take a bumbag for months backbacking off the beaten track, so they definitely don’t need a bumbag for a weeks holiday staying in a hotel at a resort in Greece!

You cannot insist you know that

Apparently we’re all daft to assume that the op meant “insist” despite using that very word in her title 😂

I went away with a boyfriend at 17. Passports and extra cash went in the room safe and then the hotel safe on the last day. Have done similar ever since and I didn't need to be instructed to do it! The best you can do is suggest your DS does the same - with his passport at least - and get him an RFID card for his wallet.

Bum-bags also scream mug me I'm a tourist imo. There was a trend for wearing bum-bags across chests - he might do that of his own volition if so inclined and not pushed, or he might have a small man bag anyway, plenty of boys do. If he mentions such things, say you think it's a good idea but you can't force an 18 year old to do as you say. I would never have worn one!

A bumbag?! Omg no, please!!!

I think at this age you can advise. Suggest shorts with zip pockets and offer to buy some he’d like if you’re in a position to do so. And suggest he leaves photocopies of docs and puts his passport in the hotel safe. If he chooses not to and something happens he gets a life lesson.

1. make sure he has travel insurance that covers him for the stuff he'll be doing (if hes the adventurous type who will go paragliding, quad biking, etc then make sure that is covered)

2. take photos of travel docs, passport, screenshot of boarding pass, hotel address.

3. i always leave my passport in hotel safe, take 1 bankcard with me and leave other bank card in room (that way if one gets stolen i have a back up to access cash).

4. pack some v basic first aid stuff like plasters, paracetamol and rehydration sachets (helpful for hangovers)

5. give him a lecture on suncream as getting burnt to a crisp on day 1 will ruin the rest of his holiday (speaking from bitter experience). Its easiest to buy it after airport security before you get on the plane from an overpriced Boots.

6. one pair of swim shorts wont be enough.

Oh, and condoms! Dont forget condoms.

Bum-bags also scream mug me I'm a tourist imo.

How many UK tourists look Greek? None, unless they are of Mediterranean descent! IME, British tourists stand out a mile anyway on a Greek island. The hair colour, eye colour, skin colour, different branded clothes usually, sunglasses, the camera, the sun cream and the sun hat?

Bumbags are an irrelevance in that respect!

He’s an adult, and even if he agreed he probably wouldn’t wear it anyway when he’s there.

I can't imagine how stressed I'm going to feel when my kids are this stage. But I do know I survived many Greek adventures as a teenager. Try to remind yourself that this is a normal rite of passage and that the more pressure you put on him for nothing to go wrong the harder it might make it for him to reach out if it does. He doesn't need to worry twice. That's your job. Just smile and nod and tell him to use protection 😂

Very! I'm there now and I am literally lying awake at night remembering every awful story of teenage men on holidays, and all the terrible things that could happen. I'm losing my actual mind.
But such is a mothers life. He will come home again and all will be well and next time it will be easier....one hopes!

He’s 18 classed as an adult and your 100% overreacting leave him to it.

I can't say I was constantly worried when my son went off for a working holiday in New Zealand at 18 - but maybe that's because he's always been more the careful type anyway, so my role was to encourage him to be independent rather than stopping him from doing stupid things. I did provide him with some unwanted advice, e.g. when he phoned and said he was just walking through an unlit park in the pitch black, and I felt uneasy when he was in Christchurch during the mosque shootings, but really things are more likely to happen just down the road from you, as they spend far more time there.

Hope OP comes back and tells us what a great time he had :)

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Important things, insurance, access to emergency money, how to contact emergency services abroad.
Advice on keeping himself and stuff safe
Eating regularly not drinking too much/take water with it
Bum bag is not Important