As children get older, they start to crave more independence. It also might be something you encourage. For example, your child getting the bus on their own is a step towards teaching them valuable life skills – such as how to handle money and pay for things. Soon, these things will become second nature to both you and your child. But what happens once they get older? When your kids reach college age, it’s fairly likely that they are going to want to go travelling. Gap years are more popular than ever – albeit more in Europe than they are in the US. But, more and more universities are readily accepting students who have taken a gap year to go travelling as it shows they have initiative and independence. So what can YOU do as a parent to ensure your child is safe if they choose to travel the world before college?
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Know their whereabouts all the time
This is likely to be the kind of conversation that makes your teenager sigh and roll their eyes. But, it is a good idea to know their exact itinerary so you are aware of their whereabouts should anything happen. Plus, once you know they are there safe, it will make you relax a bit rather than calling them constantly asking what is next on their agenda. Ask your child to give you the address of their accommodation, include hotel room number, and a phone number if possible. That way, if anything should happen, you will know who to speak to first.
Protect them against theft
Unfortunately, in some parts of the world there are gangs of thieves who specifically target backpackers. It is unlikely your child will be able to do much to mask their ‘backpacker’ appearance  – especially if they quite literally have to carry a backpack around with them! But, there are ways they can be savvy and not openly advertise their possessions to thieves. Buying a money belt before they leave is an excellent idea as they can store money for the day in there underneath their clothes. Also, encourage your teenager to not take out too much physical money for their trip. If they get a bank card stolen, they can call the bank up to cancel the card, meaning the thief will not be able to withdraw anything. Once physical money is gone, it’s gone, so consider splitting your child’s money between a card and notes.
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Encourage them to take a smartphone
This might seem an unusual tip, as smartphones are some of the most stolen items in the world. But, as long as your child is discreet about their phone in certain areas, having a smartphone with them can really enhance their trip. If they get into any difficulty, they have the internet at their fingertips with a smartphone, and it can also help them speak the local language. Â From a more lighthearted perspective, they can use their smartphone to take amazing pictures of their holiday to remember it by. Plus, it is easier than ever to video chat over a phone, so you’ll be able to keep in touch too.
