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Teenagers

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

Original poster

Unsupervised post-GCSE hols for 16-year-olds...

89 replies

LaineyW · 09/02/2009 19:49

My DD1 (16) want to go away for a few days with a group of friends after finishing GCSEs in the summer. There would be three girls and three boys, all 16.

Is there anywhere that would take them? So far they've investigated Haven holidays (have to be 21) and Youth Hostels (have to be accompanied by a parent).

Any ideas?

OP posts:
BonsoirAnna · 09/02/2009 19:50

They would have to go to a borrowed holiday house or flat, I would think. Do any of the parents of these teenagers have a holiday home to lend them?

madlentileater · 09/02/2009 19:50

NOOOOO!!!!!

compo · 09/02/2009 19:52

16 is too young
after a levels, yes, after gcse's no
you could rent a cottage next door though, or go on a haven holiday so they can all hang out together but you would be there too

Original poster
LaineyW · 09/02/2009 19:55

That did cross my mind compo, but... no thanks. I'd be on pins!

We do have friends with a beautiful holiday home in Southwold, but it could siren the end of a long and wonderful friendship with them if anything went wrong.

Do camp sites take teens? She's a seasoned camper.

Mind you, the thought of packing all the kit and food...

OP posts:
funnypeculiar · 09/02/2009 19:55

I was thinking about this the other day - me & my mates went to the Isle of Wight on our own post GCSEs - stayed in youth hostels. We were very, very well behaved, but in retrospect, I am rather impressed our parents were trusting enoughto let us toddle off on our own.

Oovavu · 09/02/2009 19:57

I had one of these after my O levels.

It was shagedelic and drug-tastic.

(Sorry but it was! But there again, I was an absolute shocker as a teenager. I woud hope yours would be nicer than I was )

pagwatch · 09/02/2009 19:58

can I also say...

16 year olds " can we borrow your holiday home for an unsupervised holiday"

owners "er. No. NoNoNoNo !!!! "

sarah293 · 09/02/2009 20:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Quattrocento · 09/02/2009 20:02

Gosh. I was terribly naughty when I was 16. Are you sure about this?

Oovavu · 09/02/2009 20:02

I teach 16 year olds actually and even the lovely ones I would not feel Ok about them being unsupervised all weekend... think it might all get a bit experimental when they are let loose for the first time. Much better to all go for a pizza then back to someone's house for mini-party with adults in different part of the house I reckon. But is that a bit Famous Five?

BonsoirAnna · 09/02/2009 20:05

Of course you have to be prepared for them to have sex... drugs are another story - do they do drugs to your knowledge?

atowncalledalice · 09/02/2009 20:22

DS1 and a group of friends went to the Reading festival the summer after GCSEs. They had a fantastic time, no one got pregnant, no one died of a drug overdose or alcohol poisoning.

Oovavu · 09/02/2009 20:28

Kids today are much more sensible than I ever was

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 09/02/2009 21:03

I went off on a cycling holiday with my friends when I was 16. I wouldn't have a problem with DD1 doing the same. Well I say that now of course, ask me again in four years' time. But really I thought it was normal for 16 year olds to be allowed to go off with their friends for a few days.
What about camping?

mumeeee · 09/02/2009 21:45

No. 16 is to young to go away unsupervised.

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 09/02/2009 21:54

Is it really? I think it depends on the individuals concerned. I know plenty of sixteen year olds that I would trust to behave sensibly - and a few I wouldn't.

ravenAK · 09/02/2009 22:03

How do you 'not allow' them to go on holiday? Given they're legally old enough to leave home?

I mean, I do see you could say no &/or refuse to help organise or finance, but I'm not sure they could actually be stopped if they sort it themselves!

I don't think I'd be asking
friends to lend their holiday place, tbh, for all the obvious reasons!

Could they go to Leeds/Reading Festival or something? Lots of unaccompanied teens there.

Moondancer · 09/02/2009 22:11

Lainey - who told you that 16 year olds have to be accompanied by a parent at youth hostels? They can go unsupervised at 16; in fact my dd went with a friend at 14 (just before they changed the age to 16).

higgle · 09/02/2009 22:29

Tge Camping and Caravan club have a youth section - might be worht asking them if they allow groups of this age.

ajandjjmum · 10/02/2009 10:48

Ds and six others (boys and girls) went away after GCSEs to one of the girl's holiday home in Wales. They went on the train, had to walk to get their shopping, sort out cooking, food, cleaning etc. There were no 'relationship' involved in the group - that was a condition of DS going - and I do think he was honest with me. They had a fabulous time, came back appreciating home more, and caused no damage.

We were lucky - but because they were trusted, they responded well.

BlameItOnTheBogey · 10/02/2009 10:50

At this age, I went to somewhere in Newquay called, I think, sunnyside? Sunny something. 'Twas a campsite full of people in the same situation. We had a blast.

lazymumofteenagesons · 10/02/2009 12:32

I've posted on a similar thread before. It all depends on the kids.
DS1 went to Reading festival at 15 (end of year 10) - everything fine. After GCSEs he went with a big group to Newquay - some camped, some rented caravans, some were in B&Bs. DS1 stayed here. It takes 16+, in rooms of about 6 with kitchenette, not supervised, but strict re. no guests. We did lose our deposit cos they left it in a state, so I definitely would not lend a holiday home.
He also went to Benicasim music festival in Spain post GCSE. It makes them more independent, they are 16 not 10. They can get in trouble a mile from home.

whenigrowupiwanttobe · 10/02/2009 12:37

I really don't think 16 is too young to go away unsupervised, I actually think it should be encouraged! When dh finished his GCSE's he spent a couple of months backpacking around Great Britain staying at youth hostels and fruit picking.

A couple of my friends went to Brighton and got jobs as waitresses.

Original poster
LaineyW · 10/02/2009 21:41

Moondancer, the YHA website states "Children aged 5-16 can only stay when accompanied by a parent, guardian or as part of an organised group and when staying in shared accommodation the parent or guardian must be of the same sex."

We have managed to find a caravan park which takes teen groups, as long as a responsible adult makes the actual booking. They also take a £150 breakages deposit, which is fair enough. The problem is, it's in Dorset which is just too far away if anything should go wrong (we live in Cambridgeshire).

Will keep trying...

Thanks for all your comments, it seems there are widely differing opinions on this and it largely depends on the teenagers involved.

OP posts:
Claire2301 · 10/02/2009 21:45

Think it very much depends on the child. After my GCSE's (6years ago) myself and two female friends went to Great Yarmounth for three days! We stayed in a B&B, the owner requested to speak to and receive a letter from our parents beforehand. Went smoothly and the worst we got up to was bingo in the evening!!