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Teenagers

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

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Original poster

What age for holidays without parents

40 replies

flapperdapper · 02/05/2021 08:16

I’m talking about UK holidays not travel abroad. My DH says he stopped going on holidays with his parents at 16 and went to youth hostels with friends instead. Now my DD would like to spend a couple of nights at a Premier Inn by the coast with a couple of friends (youth hostels not being open yet). What would you do?

OP posts:

Mamamia456 · 02/05/2021 08:22

How old is your daughter, 16? Can you stay on your own in a hotel at 16 without an adult? I thought you had to be 18.

sumpplneedshaking · 02/05/2021 08:24

I was 16 on my first holiday without my parents went to Magaluf.

It would depend on the child and her friends. Do you trust her? How far away?

VienneseWhirligig · 02/05/2021 08:25

I started going away with my boyfriend when I was 17 (but he was older than me). DS is 21 and shows no inclination to stop holidaying with me. I suggested paying for a few days away for him and his friends in a caravan to mark his 21st and he asked if it could just be me and him instead because it would be calmer

DinosaurDiana · 02/05/2021 08:27

I wouldn’t want her too, but I’m not sure you can stop her.
Are the friends she’s going with reliable ?
If she goes it would be with a box of condoms (for any of the friends that might need them too) a phone loaded with credit, some emergency money, and asked to contact you a couple of times every day.
She needs to go knowing that you are supportive , you trust her, and that you are available to help if any of them need it.
Then get yourself a bottle of wine and a box of tissues.

Parky04 · 02/05/2021 08:28

Went to Ibiza with mates when I was 15.

GintyMcGinty · 02/05/2021 08:30

I went to Skye with my friends when 16 and Italy when 17.

I get my parents hated it but they let me go. I had to save up and pay fir both trips myself.

AuntieStella · 02/05/2021 08:33

We went off on things like Venture Scout expeditions without an adult from age about 14/15 onwards. But of course the purpose was rather different and adult leaders had overseen all the planning.

When partying is involved, I'd say 16+, but if you can fend it off until 18 so much the better. I think the typical time for first is the summer after GCSEs (when those with summer birthdays might still be 15, but you're on a hiding to nowhere if you try to separate them from friends and classmates at this point)

YY to and tissues when they set off for the first time.

But the important (albeit slightly unsettling) underlying message is that they won't do anything on holiday that they wouldn't be doing at a party anyhow

redtshirt50 · 02/05/2021 08:33

I went away with my friends for camping trips and stuff from when I was 15/16 (if we needed an older adult my friend's older sister would normally come with us with her friend).

I went on my first holiday abroad alone when I was 17.

ShinyGreenElephant · 02/05/2021 08:34

I went to magaluf with a group of friends when I was 16, some of them were over 18 not sure if that made a difference. I wouldnt be keen to let my DD go abroad at 16 but in the UK then yes I'd let her go

cliffdiver · 02/05/2021 08:41

How old is your DD?

A UK holiday is a good stepping stone to holidays abroad.

Assuming she's under 16, I'm not sure Premier Inn would allow U18s only.

I went to Ayia Napa with friends when we finished Y13.

We were 17/18. Those who were 17 needed parental permission.

Chasingsquirrels · 02/05/2021 08:42

@VienneseWhirligig

I love that!

Frazzled2207 · 02/05/2021 08:44

I would reluctantly allow at 17 if they were all sensible. However as pp said unless at least one of them is 18 premier inn will not allow it don’t think

Frazzled2207 · 02/05/2021 08:44

I would probably encourage a holiday park or
Centre Parcs type place instead though. Where it was more self contained

lanbro · 02/05/2021 08:48

I went camping at 17 with friends then abroad at 18...last family holiday was at 16 although I wised up and went again with them in my 20s (they were paying)

Goodtohear · 02/05/2021 08:52

Stopped going on holiday aged 16 with parents. First holiday without parents was France aged 17- was only able to stay in hotel as my friend was 18 (only a few months difference between us).

Firefliess · 02/05/2021 08:54

Be aware that most hotels will not allow under 18s without an adult. I'm sure people will boast tell you in here about their independent teenage days, but I think the options for 15-17 year olds without parents are a bit limited. Some festivals take from 16 (and DD did Reading aged 16 and a few days!) Youth hostels. Occasionally campsites (but most will want an over 18) Overseas seems unlikely and I'm not aware of many who've done that.

Northernsoullover · 02/05/2021 08:56

I went on holiday at 16 to Tenby with a group of other 16 year old girls. We stayed in a cottage. I'm quite surprised the accommodation owner allowed us to

LovingBob · 02/05/2021 08:56

16-17, but a lot of them only allow with over 18s so mixed group of 17/18 years olds in same school year is usual. I would have allowed at 16 but friendship groups at that age are generally of a similar age so probably no over 18s in group. DS did a lot of wild camping locally at 16, it was a very worrying time iirc.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 02/05/2021 08:57

Traditionally the summer after GCSEs seems to be the time they start holidaying with friends. Mine still like to come with us as well though (they’re 20) ... free holiday

I’m not sure a premier inn would take them ... might have to wait until hostels are open again.

lljkk · 02/05/2021 08:59

Is it allowed? I sent DD to a Travel-Lodge by herself to do a course when she was 17, we had to lie about her age.

I put DS on a plane (with 17yo friend who was less savvy than DS) to Berlin (they stayed in hostels that allowed unaccompanied minors) when he was 16.
Premier Inn in UK would obviously feel much safer and not phase me in principle.

KingdomScrolls · 02/05/2021 08:59

Went to Weymouth on a caravan holiday and to Reading festival with friends when I was 16, first holiday abroad without family when I was 17

KingdomScrolls · 02/05/2021 09:02

Oh that's not true actually I also went to Berlin with a friend when I was 16 because our exchange trip was cancelled because we were the only two in our A level class whose parents would accommodate an exchange student, so sixth form said we could go to the area of study for a specific module ourselves in term time and they funded our flights! That was first year of A level and I have a late summer birthday so I would've been sixteen

Tumbleton · 02/05/2021 09:05

DS and his friends have booked to go and stay in a youth hostel for a few days in July. He will have just turned 17.

LovingBob · 02/05/2021 09:05

You probably need to check where will take under 18s OP before she starts planning stuff.

Onthegrid · 02/05/2021 09:06

Both my DC went to Reading festival with their mates after their GCSEs so at 16. They weren’t interested in a trip to Spain or Greece with friends and have been to other festivals since and both went off to uni at 18.
They have both been aboard with their then partners but at 18+

They still (in their 20s) have been away with us as we like to explore/ski and we had a big family trip planned for last year which is now on hold.

I stopped going away with my parents at 18 when I chose to go on my summer holiday with my then boyfriend and since then I have travelled the world usually with just 1 friend/partner at a time unless with my DH and DC.

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