Hee Hee that was me on the other post
My son has only ever been abroad once and that was with us (15 at time and was bored stiff with us) But now the time has come for him to venture out to magaluf ( of all places ) with his friends. I am just glad that he has booked for the last day in aug so his hols are basically starting in sept, am i right in thinking it will be a little quieter then. We took the youngest two to magaluf a couple of years back but we went in oct and it was fine.
He doesnt normally drink but he says he will have a few on his hols, done all the little chats about dont be going near the pool or sea at night when you have had a drink, that sort of thing ( you would think he was about 10 some of the things i have thought about) I am not worried about him or his friend as i know that they are really sensible but you cant always account for everyone else.
I bet loads of you mums and dads have had to go through this at one time or another.
I will probably be asking him to phone me every other day to make sure he is safe,best not he is terrible for remembering to phone me at the best of times and i will be having a nervous breakdown if he forgets.
Thanks for listening to a nervo knocks of a mum.
Kerrie

Hi again Kerrie.

I know exactly how you feel. My son also ventured to Magaluf on his first hol with his mates 3 years ago (aged 19). He had a great time. They went s/c and got through quite a bit of money as they tended to most of their eating out. I knew before he went that it would be a "drinking holiday" which comes with added worries. I did the same speaches as you. He arrived home safely with a great tan, funny stories and hardly any voice (not much sleep).
2 years ago he went to Kavos with mates and had a similar holiday. I was again worried until he got home safely.
Last year he went to Tenerife and again had a brilliant time apart from one incident when he was pickpocketed. I don't want to frighten you even more but make sure he's aware that things like this do take place. Aparently it was rife in Playa de las Americas last summer.
I'm sure everything will be fine and apart from maybe a few grey hairs by the time he gets back you'll be fine too. Relax!

Hi Shirley
My son will also be 19 when he goes, He is off to uni about 1 week when he returns. Thanks for the tip about pick pockets thats probably the only lecture he hasnt had yet but watch this space cos its coming only thing is 19yr old are to cool to wear a bumbag
Thanks
Kerrie

My son went to Canada 2 years ago aged 16 on a Scouting exbedition, he spent 2 weeks with three friends touring an area of the country. They went with Leaders who stayed at a campsite the whole time so were contactable but basically the kids were on their own, they had to find places to stay and complete a 'tick' list of tasks one of which was a place to sleep you wouldn't normally choose. They coped really well, did the niagra thing, the walk of faith in the thingymebob tower ( you know that great big pointy thing in Toronto) and had no problems at all (son came home with red highlights in his hair and his normally very 'tory' friend had the union flag shaved into his head!) until they had their 'unusual' sleep which took place in a retirement home, they had a lovely time with the residents but on reaching base camp a day later, son realised his 'emergency fund' wallet had disappeared!
A bit different I know to a boozy lads do in Magaluf but it was a gentle baptism and I think it made him savvy enough to be safe when his turn comes

Although my son (now aged just 18) would still be happy to come away with us, (as long as I'm paying) he is making plans to do stuff on his own. He is starting Uni this Autumn and has the option of a semester at a link Uni in various cities around the world, including Auckland NZ, where he already has a friend (someone who was in his class at primary school, the family moved to NZ and the kids still keep in touch) and he has been invited over whenever he wants.
Today he has been looking into doing bar/PR work in Tenerife for the summer (doesn't pay enough to put any money in the bank, but it's a good "character-building" experience). He isn't working at the moment so he can't afford to save up for a holiday, but neither can any of his friends, however while they are happy to sit around the local pubs counting out 10p's to buy another drink, he is determined to get out and see the world, even if it means doing it as part of a work/education experience.