Travelling alone for the first time is an exciting prospect, but it can be difficult to convince parents to let you go. The key to getting their blessing is to show them that you are responsible, aware of the risks, and have a plan to stay safe. It's also important to be honest and open with them about your intentions and to listen to their concerns. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the conversation:
- Know why you want to travel alone and be able to explain this to your parents.
- Have an open dialogue with your parents and ask them about their fears and concerns.
- Do your research and be able to explain what solo travel is like, including the potential risks and how you plan to minimise them.
- Share your travel plans with your parents, including your itinerary and budget.
- Agree on how you will keep in touch while you are away.
- Start with shorter trips or travel with a friend first, to help your parents get used to the idea.
- Make sure you are on your best behaviour in the lead-up to the conversation and choose a good time to ask, such as after achieving something your parents are proud of.
- Explain why the trip is important to you and pledge to stay in contact with your parents while you are away.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Know why you want to travel alone | Understand your own motivations |
Have an open dialogue | Discuss the trip with your parents |
Show what travelling alone is like | Provide context and examples of solo travel |
Talk facts | Provide facts and statistics about safety |
Show how you plan on staying safe | Outline safety measures |
Share your travel plans | Provide a detailed itinerary |
Agree on how to keep in touch | Propose a communication schedule |
Start slow | Propose a shorter trip or travelling with a friend |
Travel together | Suggest a trip with your parents |
What You'll Learn
Show them you're responsible
Demonstrating responsibility is a key part of convincing your parents to let you travel alone. Here are some ways to show them you're responsible:
Be on Your Best Behaviour
In the days and weeks leading up to your request, be on your best behaviour. This means no talking back, breaking the law, or lying. If you've been well-behaved, your parents will have a more positive view of you and may be more inclined to grant your request.
Show Them You're Trustworthy
Your parents need to see that you're trustworthy and responsible enough to handle yourself on a trip. Avoid lying and always tell them where you're going and who you're with. Stay away from even harmless-seeming lies, as this will impact their ability to trust you.
Establish a Track Record of Responsibility
Show your parents that you're responsible by consistently acting responsibly. Avoid friends who are irresponsible or prone to getting into trouble, as your parents may associate you with their behaviour. Demonstrate maturity and good judgement in your choices, and your parents will be more likely to trust you.
Be Prepared to Answer Hard Questions
When discussing your trip with your parents, be prepared to answer any questions or concerns they may have. Address their worries head-on and show them that you've thought about potential issues and how to handle them. This will demonstrate your maturity and responsibility.
Respond Maturely
Even if your parents say no, respond maturely and respectfully. Avoid becoming defensive or acting like their decision is a personal attack. Thank them for considering your request, and assure them that you understand their concerns. This will show that you're mature enough to handle their decision respectfully.
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Have an open dialogue
Before you get to the point of trying to convince your parents to let you travel alone, start with an open dialogue. A dialogue is not a discussion, so don't try to convince your parents at this stage. Instead, ask them how they feel about you travelling alone. If they don't like the idea, try to find out why. What are their underlying fears?
In almost every case, the reason why your loved ones don't want you to go is that they are afraid of something happening to you. They love you, and they want what's best for you. So, if you can remember that what they say is out of love, you will be able to have a proper conversation and take steps to convince them to let you travel alone.
- Afraid you will get sick abroad: Learn about the history of the country you will be visiting, and the potential hazards, and explain to your parents how you plan to stay safe and avoid these hazards.
- Afraid you won't be safe alone: Show them travel blogs of people who have already been to those places, and explain how you can meet people in hostels.
- Afraid the country you're travelling to is unsafe: Show facts and statistics to your parents to alleviate their concerns.
- Afraid that you will fall in love abroad and never come back: This is a constant fear that the author's mother mentions. Reassure your parents that you will keep in touch and that you will be back.
- Afraid you won't be able to find a job when you get back: Explain to your parents that you will be broadening your horizons and gaining valuable life experience that will help you in your future career.
- Afraid of you leaving all certainties and stability behind: Reassure your parents that you are mature enough to handle the challenges of solo travel, and that you will stay in touch and let them know where you are.
- Afraid you're throwing your future away: Your parents may ask questions such as "but what about having children, don't you want children?" Try to respond to these questions in a mature and thoughtful way, explaining why solo travel is important to you.
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Explain what solo travel is
Solo travel is when you leave behind everyone you know and embark on a trip. It can be done independently or on a group tour. Independent solo travel is when you plan and navigate the trip yourself. Group solo travel is when you join a tour or cruise alone.
Solo travel can be broken down into three categories: guided solo travel, extrovert solo travel, and introvert solo travel. Guided solo travel is when you explore via an organised tour, but don't know anyone in the group prior to arriving. An extrovert solo traveller enjoys interacting with local people and may even focus their entire trip on that interaction. An introvert solo traveller, on the other hand, enjoys time alone in peace and quiet and doesn't make interacting with local people a goal.
However, the definition of solo travel is not always clear-cut. For example, if you travel to a foreign country alone and spend time with a local person, are you still a solo traveller? Some would argue that you are, as you are still experiencing the food, culture, and people of that country in an authentic way.
Ultimately, solo travel is about discovering who you are when no one (that you know) is looking. It encourages you to stretch and grow as a person, gain confidence, and become more independent. It gives you access to the world in ways that other forms of travel don't.
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Share your travel plans
Sharing your travel plans with your parents is a great way to convince them to let you travel alone. Here are some tips on how to do this effectively:
Start with an open dialogue:
Before trying to convince your parents, begin by having an open conversation about your desire to travel alone. Ask them how they feel about it and try to understand their concerns and underlying fears. Are they worried about your safety? Do they think the country you're planning to visit is unsafe? Understanding their perspective is crucial.
Address their fears:
Once you know what your parents are afraid of, you can address those worries. For example, if they're concerned about your safety, you can explain the measures you plan to take, such as staying in hostels, learning self-defence, or downloading safety apps. You can also show them travel blogs or guides from other people who have travelled to your intended destination to reassure them.
Share your itinerary:
Creating a detailed day-by-day itinerary can go a long way towards easing your parents' concerns. Let them know where you plan to go, how you'll get there, and where you'll stay. Include activities you intend to do each day and estimated costs for transportation, lodging, and food. This shows that you've thought things through and helps them know what to expect.
Keep them informed:
Agree on a specific way to stay in touch during your trip. Let your parents know that you'll be reachable by phone, and suggest a time of day when they can call or text to check in. This will reassure them that you're safe and give them peace of mind.
Start small:
If your parents are hesitant, consider starting with shorter trips closer to home or travelling with a friend. This can help them get used to the idea of you travelling alone and show them that you can handle yourself.
Involve them:
Another way to ease your parents' worries is to involve them in your travel plans. You could suggest that they join you for part of the trip or meet you at your destination. This gives them a chance to see first-hand what solo travel is like and understand why you want to do it.
Remember, the key to convincing your parents is showing them that you've thought things through, addressed their concerns, and have a plan to stay safe and connected.
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Agree on how to keep in touch
Agreeing on how to keep in touch with your parents while travelling alone is an important step in convincing them to let you go. Here are some ways to do that:
Schedule Regular Calls
It is important to have a back-and-forth conversation with your parents while you are away. Let them know that you will always be by your phone when you travel. Suggest a time of day when they can call and check in on you and share your plans for the day. If you are travelling internationally, look into whether you can use your phone in the country you are visiting, or if you can rent one.
Use Social Media and Messaging Apps
Social media platforms and messaging apps can be a great way to stay connected. You can share daily photo updates of your activities on Facebook and Instagram. Messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Google Voice, and Skype can be used for free or low-cost communication over the internet.
For friends and family members who are not smartphone-savvy, email can be a reliable way to stay in touch. It is also a good option when internet connectivity is unstable or unavailable.
Local SIM Cards
If you are travelling for an extended period, consider purchasing a local SIM card. These can be cheaper than using your regular phone plan for international travel, and can be used with wifi hotspots or USB modems.
Snail Mail
Receiving a handwritten letter or postcard is a lovely surprise for your parents. Consider sending them postcards or letters via snail mail to update them on your travels.
Internet Cafes/Libraries
If you don't have access to a smartphone or computer, you can use internet cafes or libraries to access the internet and communicate with your parents.
By proposing and agreeing on a combination of these methods, you can reassure your parents that you will stay connected while travelling alone and increase the chances of them letting you embark on your adventure.
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Frequently asked questions
Start by having an open dialogue with your parents. Ask them how they feel about you travelling alone and try to understand their concerns.
Show your parents that you are aware of the risks and explain to them how you plan to minimise those risks. For example, you can take a self-defence class, show them that you are organised, learn the local language, remind them of your strengths and explain how you plan to compensate for your weaknesses.
Demonstrate your responsibility by not breaking the law, avoiding irresponsible friends, and not lying to your parents.
Figure out the cost of the trip, including transportation, food, and entertainment expenses, and present this information to your parents. If your parents can't fund the trip, explain how you plan to pay for it yourself.
Respond in a mature way and accept their decision. Assure them that you respect their decision and that in the future, you hope to better address their concerns.