Should you let your teen go to a festival with their friends?

Going in your first competition with pals must be thrilling, rewarding and a laugh, making it probably the most highlights of the summer time amusement.

But when your youngster hasn’t spent a lot age clear of house, or travelled lengthy distances with none grownup supervision sooner than, it’s comprehensible some oldsters may well be in two minds about allowing them to exit.

So, must oldsters let their teenagers exit to a competition with pals – and what do you want to be asking in the event that they do exit?

Get started mini and eager expectancies

If it’s your youngster’s first ever competition, counsellor Georgina Sturmer recognizes the speculation of a weighty full-on weekender would possibly really feel a bit of overwhelming for either one of you.

“And they might not meet the minimum age requirement,” she says – making this a very first thing to test. “If that’s the case, consider how you can introduce them to the idea. Maybe there’s the option of a ‘day ticket’, or a small, local festival instead, or a family camping trip to test out their outdoors skills.”

This generally is a prospect to get ready for larger extra sovereign journeys going forward, and ask some key questions: “What kind of kit does your teen need? And do they know how to use it? Festivals are a great way to encourage our teens to get outdoors, to learn new skills. But they may well need some support and practice to get them there.”

Matt Buttery, well-known government of ‘positive parenting program’ Triple P UK and Eire, consents. This can be probably the most first occasions your youngster is with out grownup supervision, so make a decision for your crowd’s expectancies and talk about those along with your kid.

“Be sure to praise their good behaviour generally as a basis for setting out what you expect from them,” he says. “But beyond behaviour, it is also important to establish any ground rules, such as communication while they are away, and setting out the importance of this in maintaining trust and ensuring their safety.”

Discover your personal fears and worries

Sturmer recognizes it’s herbal to really feel a bit of nervous or frightened when our youngsters snatch unutilized steps in opposition to sovereignty and adventures.

“But if you find yourself overwhelmed with fear or worry, it’s important to explore these for yourself,” she says. “Are your fears rational, and if so, can you take steps to mitigate them? Or are you becoming overwhelmed with irrational worry? If so, how can you help yourself to ‘catch the catastrophe’ and soothe yourself? Above all else, remember that you are in charge.”

Have a plan for peer power

Peer power can from time to time top to younger society enticing in dangerous behaviour. Support them get ready for this too, allowing them to are aware of it’s good enough to mention refuse and speak about any worries they will have.

“If they see their friends doing something such as drinking, smoking or vaping, they might feel like they too need to do this to stay in the friendship group, or to make friends in new situations,” says Buttery.

“This may be more of a concern for parents who would not necessarily be accompanying their teen to the festival. To help manage this, come up with a plan – with your child – to help them tackle peer pressure, so they are prepared should a situation arise. For example, help them think up a line they can use to turn down these things. This will help them gain the confidence to say no outright.

“Whilst peer pressure is influential, so is family. By talking together, you can make your values and opinions clear and helping them to build confidence to say no will teach a valuable life skill of setting boundaries, which will set them up well for the future.”

Get a hold of logistics and contingencies

Making plans will assistance each oldsters and their youngster really feel extra assured and accumulation about issues.

“Encourage your teen to map out what they need, how they will get there, and how they will keep themselves – and their belongings – safe and secure,” says Sturmer.

“Also consider contingency planning, what happens if someone becomes unwell, or if they got lost? And most importantly, are they able to rely on their own skills to figure things out if their devices are broken or lost or stolen?”Foster seen communique

As Buttery issues out, fostering seen communique along with your kid from an early generation will assistance oldsters preserve sure communications channels all through the teenager years.

“Be curious, not furious. If your teen wants to go to a festival with their friends, it’s important not to overreact and instead talk to your teen to understand their motivation, while also discussing the risks,” he says.

“Having open dialogue generally will allow your teen to talk with you about a wide array of issues, such as their mental health, concerns at school or with friends, and as they get older, about alcohol, partners and drugs, and will make them feel comfortable when approaching you with this request.”

Medicine and alcohol

There’s refuse denying that your youngster could be uncovered to, or introduced, medicine or alcohol if they’re attending a competition.

“It might be helpful to have an open and honest conversation about this topic before they go,” says Sturmer, “to help them to explore any fears or misconceptions, and to set some ground rules and boundaries about what you expect.”