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Home » Planning

Dream of Traveling Without Parents? 5 Proven Tips

Modified: Oct 21, 2021 · Published: Aug 31, 2016 by Maria Laborde |

A chaperone-less trip probably makes a nervous wreck of 9 out of 10 parents.

Maybe it's the senior trip to an all-inclusive resort in Mexico; perhaps you're thinking of a full-on gap year to backpack around the world.

Whatever your reason to go traveling without parents is, this can be a tough one to pull as a teenager--or a 20-something still living under their roof.

To them, it probably all comes down to your safety and their degree of trust in you.

Test our five tips (and compromises), and you'll be more likely to open the door to newfound freedoms.

A woman traveling without parents.
Scenic view (photo: Adam Bautz)

Table of Contents

  • How to Go Traveling without Parents
    • 1. Ensure your safety
    • 2. Pay for the trip yourself
    • 3. Get on your parent's good side before you ask them
    • 4. Have friends your parents know and trust tag along
    • 5. Prove the trip's value

How to Go Traveling without Parents

1. Ensure your safety

Show your parents your detailed itinerary. Highlight the incredible attractions you want to visit.

Explain to them how you'll stay safe in those areas. Draft a communication plan.

The more familiar they become with your plans and destinations, the more at ease they'll be.

They still don't want to hear it? Offer a compromise by getting a GPS tracker app.

Not only will it force you to stay out of questionable spots, but knowing they'll be able to follow your every step might finally convince them.

2. Pay for the trip yourself

Saving for a trip involves drafting both personal and financial goals.

You will have to make sacrifices and reach a certain level of responsibility: get and keep a job, not go out as much, etc.

Thus, financing your adventure in its entirety will show your parents not only maturity but also how badly you want it.

Don't be surprised if you gain more privileges after you complete the feat.

Most importantly, though? Asking for permission and money lengthens the already formidable list of arguments you will have to defend in front of the jury. Think about it.

3. Get on your parent's good side before you ask them

Take a moment to analyze your relationship with your parents.

Have you already proved to them you can act like a responsible adult?

If so, go ahead with tips # 1 and # 2. If not, you must work on building trust first.

It's as simple as respecting their curfews, offering to help around the house, maybe even pitching in next time mom goes grocery shopping or dad takes the family out to dinner.

Don't suddenly become Mother Teresa of Calcutta, though--they'll read right through it.

Be genuine in your efforts to become an independent young man or woman. This will benefit all parties involved.

4. Have friends your parents know and trust tag along

Whenever I asked mom for permission to go to a party or event as a teenager, the first question she asked me was, "who's going?"

I may not know your parents, but I'm sure they are way more likely to permit you to go on that trip with Lily, your childhood friend who lives across the street, than Stacy, the cheerleading squad's captain who you just met at a party last month.

You should always pick your friends wisely, but even more so when you're trying to go traveling without parents or chaperones.

5. Prove the trip's value

Lastly, vanish the idea that you're only going away to get trashed and make other destructive decisions. Show your parents this trip will teach you something.

Have you been taking Spanish classes? Say you want to practice your Spanish with locals in Playa Del Carmen.

Are you heading to Thailand? Say you've looked into yoga and meditation to become a more centered person.

Heck, just showing a genuine interest in whatever destination's heritage will let your parents know you're curious about the world around you and wish to explore it. Good luck!

______

This story was brought to you in partnership with Family Orbit.

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About Maria Laborde

Maria Alexandra Laborde is a serial expat, having lived and traveled extensively throughout 6 different countries and territories, including over 18 years in Latin America.

Also, Maria is the author of LatinAbroad, where she shares cultural experiences and advice after living in and traveling to over 30 countries across 5 continents. Follow her on Facebook, Google+, Instagram and Pinterest

Comments

  1. Faye says

    August 31, 2016 at 7:55 pm

    Make sure your parents was in a good mood before asking them about it. They'll not understand your point when they're mad. :)

    • Maria Laborde says

      September 02, 2016 at 11:10 am

      ha ha Ha the best tip! ;)

Dave at Ahu Ko Te Riku on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.

Hi, I'm Dave

Editor in Chief

I've been writing about adventure travel on Go Backpacking since 2007. I've visited 68 countries.

Read more about Dave.

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