16 year olds staying in hostel

julliff

Hello

My daughter has anounced that she and 3 friends want to go to the coast at the weekend and stay in a hostel, on their own.

I feel like they are still a bit young for this, but she is giving me a really hard time over it. She says all the other girls are allowed.

Am I overreacting?

Jinx

My hubby and his friends did this in the summer hols when they were 13, I was gobsmacked when he told me this!! I would never have allowed this at 13.

I'd def consider it at 16.... if there is a sensible plan and there are a few of them. It would probably be a good learning curve....

pigpen

Do you know the friends/?vAre they nice girls or do they run wild and be little gits?

If they are nice and you trust your daughter to be sensible then why not.. she can have her phone so if she needs you you can get to her. Could you possibly drop them off so you know where they are and they got there safe?

RAS

Hi

What sort of hostel? Have you spoken to the other parents as I can assure you every one of you will be told that the other parents are fine about it?

System

Do you feel your daughter is mature enough to be trusted on a trip like this? If she agreed to stay in regular contact might that help? I was 17 (so a year older) when i first went to a festival (i know its a bit different but still), but my parents knew the friends i was going with and trusted me to stay out of trouble.

Dave101t

which hostel? and when?
just kidding, i wouldnt think you are over-reacting, afterall she is in your care.

motherofstudents

Do you know these girls or their parents ? Maybe a couple of phone calls to parents might put your mind at rest. It's a difficult age in many ways but you have to let them do these things sometimes and spend the time they are away worrying about them ! Do all you can to make sure they are safe and if you are happy with the place they are going to and that these friends are sensible, I would be tempted to let them go. Dropping them off sounds like a good idea.

Savvy_Sue

If it's a proper Youth Hostel, I'd have less worries than for some of the other kinds ...

meritaten

hun, I dont think you are over-reacting, but, naturally you are concerned.
Is your daughter and her friends sensible?
Has she told you the name of the hostel? I would look them up or ring them and ask some questions like................Do they have a curfew? Is it a mixed sex hostel or girls only? Is a member of staff on the premises at all times? do they do a 'head count' every night?
If you are then satisfied then make sure her mobile has enough money in it and that she promises to check in with you at a pre-arranged time and that she knows failure to check in will have dire consequences (like you frantically phoning the police and causing her major embarrassment)! Then let her go!!!

rachbc

Yes I think you are over reacting. i stayed at worse places than youth hostels when i was 16! I think 16 is about the right age for a first trip away from home without supervision - as long as its properly planned. talk to the other parents if it will reassure you.

Emmzi

In Scotland at 16 I could be married without parental permission.

This is a weekend away. I think it's ok.