Terrified of daughter going to festival

[dreamer24]

I'm a very anxious person in general and even more so as a mother so I'm aware this might be excessive to some, but my DD (just turned 18) is going to her first festival this week and I'm really anxious. She's going with a large group of friends (mixed sex), and she's generally a really sensible girl, but I can't help but feel sick with anxiety.

Are there any tips I can give her to keep her safer? Any tips from other parents of teens for how not to worry myself sick and lose sleep every night this week? 😞

Absolutely have the drugs / drink convo, and the keep with your friends convo. This is really important (having volunteered as a steward for many festivals over the years) I can’t stress it enough. Makes sure she knows where welfare is and that it’s ok to use them or medics in any event - they have seen absolutely everything and are there to help. To stress it is not the place to get absolutely wasted for the first time especially drugs.

indeed welfare are a fantastic resource if your having a tough festival. Also let her know that the stewards can help or find help if needed. Oxfam are super bunch of people and are all trained and briefed.

one piece of advise is to get an emergency foul blanket and place under her roll mat, sim or airbed. Insulating under will keep her warm over night.

ive been to Leeds once for one evening and never again. But it was a long time ago and things have drastically improved since then.

Lots of sensible advice here. I’m sure she’ll be fine and have a great time -it’s just hard for worrying parents.
My anxiety would lead me to secretly hide in a tent nearby.

Agree with the sun safe. First time my daughter went to a festival we talked through all the drink drugs scenarios and she came home terribly sun burnt. Then blamed me because putting on sun cream wasn't in my list of instructions.
Foolishly I assumed as it was something done every time she went out in the sun it wasn't something I needed to remind her of.

I get you OP.

I was worried about my 18yr old son going in to our town centre at 1pm on a Monday lunchtime!

He’s been in to town lots of times but with friends who live there. He wasn’t with his usual friends but with someone a little less streetwise and “delicate.”

Op I'm with you, my DS is going this weekend as well- he's 18. He's a type 1 diabetic just to add to anxiety!
I know I'll be fretting but I don't want him to feel like he can't do these things because of diabetes. He has a decent group of friends and I truly hope he has a ball. I just wish it wasn't far away. Or hot/cold. Or dirty. Or have drugs and alcohol. Or be overnight

Have phone numbers of friends and you written down if she doesnt know them off by heart- phones lose battery but almost anyone will lend a stranger a phone at a festival, if you’re lost or need help. Also stewards are lovely and always great to go to for help. Don’t keep any valuables in the tent.

I would make sure she knows there’s nothing to lose and to not be scared of repercussions of calling an ambulance/ 111 if her or a friend has drunk too much or overdosed, instead of the dumb teenage wait and see approach because they don’t want to get caught taking drugs. And to not leave each other alone in the festival or in a tent if too drunk or high! This is especially important as a woman- a third of women are assaulted or harrassed at music festivals, so it’s important to stick together. And to not feel ashamed about reporting anything.

I went to festivals from 16 and the community at most festivals in general is good, apart from reading and leeds festival- too many drunk idiotic teenagers.
Readings and leeds camping grounds are colour coded, some areas are notoriously lairy and others are more quiet, and the last night of the festival is traditionally the night some moronic people set fire to random tents and throw stuff at people for fun. Some years its worse than others, so could be worth suggesting camping in one of the quieter areas if they want to avoid the mindless sunday night destruction.

At 18 she will be one of the older ones - it’s traditional to go after GCSE results at 16.

It sounds more hair-raising than it is. And there are plenty of assistance hubs she can go to if she does need something.

Tell her to take lots of pot noodles and porridge pots - they can pay about £6 for unlimited boiling water, which is great because the food and drinks are insanely expensive.

There’s sod all phone coverage so don’t fret is she doesn’t ring.

I hope she has a great time, and I hope you don’t worry too much.