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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Teenage holiday without adults...

46 replies

User4949 · 21/01/2018 15:55

Dd16 has asked to go to zante this summer, she'll then be 17. Five of her friends are going . I wasn't expecting it, my initial reaction is to say no but has anyone else's teens done this ?

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 22/01/2018 18:40

DS1 went to Malia after A levels. He paid for it himself and all in it cost almost £1k. As soon as he got he said he wished he hadn’t gone and it was the biggest waste of money, ever.

DS2 was all set on going when he was 18 but changed his mind after DS1 got home.

ThePinkPanter · 22/01/2018 18:43

I did this at 17. It was crazy. I would not want my child getting up to the same as what we did but it's how we learn. Like you say what difference will 6months make. I paid for it myself though by working.

cuttingcarbonemissions · 22/01/2018 18:44

Well you can get married at 16 so.........at 17+ I think it would be unreasonable to say no.

Teens will experiment and make mistakes. In some cases those mistakes will have negative consequences. But mostly they will be a learning experience. And disaster is just as likely yo strike at home as in Greece.

MumJ21 · 22/01/2018 18:47

I went to Zante when I was 17 with my college friends after we finished our A levels and it was really good, we didn’t go all inclusive wish we had. The majority of people there were 16-20 anyway.

BackforGood · 22/01/2018 18:47

I'd let her know that next year, when she is 18, and has time to save up and sort all the booking herself, then that would be evidence she was ready to go.
That years will make the world of difference (not least, being more used to the alcohol she will no doubt be consuming), plus of course, she will have tim to be able to earn the money to pay for it.

Nothomealone · 22/01/2018 18:50

I traveled abroad from 17, but I was at uni, working part time and sorting my own travel arrangements. It wouldn't have occurred to me to ask permission from my parents. Your dd will very shortly stop asking permission for this kind of stuff, what are the long term gains from saying no? Are you able to discuss your concerns with her? If she is going to do silly things she is probably as likely to do them in a years time when she won't ask you.

Missingstreetlife · 22/01/2018 20:50

Make sure they have condoms and v gd travel insurance. Don't agree if you don't think she's with a sensible crowd, she may go anyway of course.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 22/01/2018 20:55

It depends on the teen. Ds2 went on holiday to France when he was 16 with two friends. They sorted it all out themselves and were fine.

Ds1 on the other hand would never have coped with a trip without adults at 16. He went to Zante with friends at 18 and hated every minute of it.

specialsubject · 22/01/2018 21:08

Travel insurance may not pay out to the seriously pissed.

MongerTruffle · 22/01/2018 21:10

They will need an 18 year old on the booking will they not, we did when we went at the end of sixth year.
No, they won't.

nokidshere · 23/01/2018 01:01

They will need an 18 year old on the booking will they not, we did when we went at the end of sixth year.

No, they won't.

Yes they will. Under 18s cannot enter into a contract of any sort legally.

I've spent the past 3 days helping my 18yr old get his head round different regulations in different countries for a trip in June with friends.

Despite being drivers, they can't drive abroad because car rentals are over 21's. All the villa holidays they have looked at want a parents signature and most don't want them at all.

One of their party is 17 and needs a letter from parents to travel. Most hotels won't accept a booking from an 18yr old if the party has younger people in it.

Below is part of an article from the Guardian on teen travel

Package holidays With teenagers there is one overriding principle, and that is that a contract cannot be enforceable with a minor," said a spokesperson from the Association of British Travel Agents. "So some companies insist on a party member being over 18 while others require parental permission."

Thomas Cook lets 16- and 17-year-olds book some of its trips, depending on the brand. "In general, for parties that are under 18, written authority is required from a parent or legal guardian, who must sign the booking form in the presence of one of our sales consultants," said a spokeswoman. "The consultant may ask the parent/guardian to produce a copy of their passport showing their name and signature to prove their identity."

One of its most famous brands, Club 18-30 (0871 895 0066), actually accepts travellers from 17 (up to 35), though under-18s must get a parent or guardian to sign the booking form in the presence of a travel agent, and must book in a travel agent's office, not online or by phone.

nokidshere · 23/01/2018 01:02

Despite being drivers, they can't drive abroad because car rentals are over 21's. All the villa holidays they have looked at want a parents signature and most don't want them at all.

The Villas don't want the teenagers that should say

Pumkinfailure · 23/01/2018 08:44

She will be 17.5- can you really stop her? I would have been massively resentful if my parents stopped me at that age, and yes I went to Kos at 17. I paid for it.
I too work in a uni and it’s scary how little life skills the cosseted kids have- and he states they end up in.

mumto2teenagers · 27/01/2018 09:13

My dd is also looking at a girls holiday in the summer. She is 18 but some of her friends will still be 17. Last summer she went to Reading festival and Boardmasters festival in Cornwall. This year they are looking to go abroad. I don't think whether they are 17 or 18 really makes that much difference.

I'm not sure All Inclusive would be any different really, okay it means they are more likely to eat, but then free alcohol all day could cause problems.

I'm not paying for dd's holiday, we pay for our family holiday and anything she does with friends then she pays for herself. She has had a saturday job since she was 16.

phillipacooks · 29/01/2018 10:36

My DD did exactly this last summer, went with 8 of her girlfriends all aged 17. Although initially I wasn't so keen, she offered to pay half of the price and convinced me. They only went for four days and had the time of their life, all seemingly safe and sensible! If her friends are going and you trust her, I would recommend it (making sure she has enough money and is aware of drink spiking). Be prepared for her to come back with a nasty cough as mine did! If you do decide to allow it, 'Zante hotel plaza and apartments' was very cheap and accommodation for my DD. Very exciting! :)

CiderwithBuda · 29/01/2018 10:41

DS is 16 and he and his two mates (both 17) are off to Greece. With us! That's what they wanted!

Giraffesarequitetall · 29/01/2018 23:26

DS (17) is talking about going to Kavos 😬😬 with a mixed group. They have one 18yo but the rest are finishing year 12.

We won’t stop him but he will only go if he can pay for it himself. I’m secretly hoping it falls apart for this summer and gets postponed to next year if i’m honest.

naffedoff · 30/01/2018 13:11

My DS is off to Zante (Laganas) with a big group of mates, post A-levels. A few of them, including DS, will still be 17 at that point.
I'm not mad on the idea - especially when he tells me hair-raising stories about what last year's Year 13s got up to. However, he has paid for it all himself.

AnnabelleLecter · 30/01/2018 18:41

DD17 has mentioned going abroad with friends in the summer. She will be nearly 18. We said as long as you pay for it fine, but so far she hasn't saved a penny.

CPtart · 30/01/2018 18:52

I've been away with a friend as a 'sensible ' 17 year old (and had a ball Wink
I've also been to Laganus.
I wouldn't want my 17 year old going and I wouldn't fund it.

Rebecca36 · 22/07/2018 00:24

Yes, at 17 she is old enough to go on holiday with friends.

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