Life is full of firsts…. First day at school, first kiss, first car, first time being responsible for yourself….. And that last first… is the one that will stand to you for the rest of your life and allow you to have a full and long life. You have to be responsible for yourself!! You’re at a stage in your life now, when your parents or guardians are not there to hold your hand anymore…. And it’s a new and exciting feeling being allowed to travel on your own.

So it’s one of your first holidays with your friends…. No parents there to nag you…. Or tell you to be home by a certain time….. It’s just you and your friends!

And as exciting as the whole trip is….You have to be responsible for yourself! Being in a different country can sometimes subconsciously tweak your belief system in regards to your usual morals…. Perhaps peer pressure comes into play and you may consider acting in a manor that you normally would not do at home.

Even though you want to have fun when you are away – and have a taste of freedom from the restraints of your parents…. You need to think about things before you do them.

During the day – if you’re on a sun holiday – remember to put on a high factor sun cream. Nobody is there to remind you – so you have to take the initiative to do this yourself. If you burn not only will it harm your skin, age you faster, make you wrinkly when your older and possibly cause skin cancer…. But it will also affect your holiday – you will feel sore and uncomfortable and probably turn a flaming red color (not that attractive for potential boy hunting) and will definitely hinder your fun and frolics!

When you’re out with your friends having a few drinks….. Don’t overdo it! There is nothing worse than seeing someone falling all over the place after having too much to drink and making a show of herself. Stay in control. For the main reason of staying safe and not ending up doing things that go against your usual behaviour patterns, not remembering half the night – and regretting the half that you do remember!

A holiday is just that. A holiday! You want to come back in one piece and show your parents that you are grown up – you are mature – you can take care of yourself…. And when they see and feel that you are responsible for yourself, they will see you as an adult. It will also give you an inner sense of achievement and worth that will make you feel great and show you that you can take care of yourself. So go have fun, relax and enjoy your new found freedom as a responsible adult!

Have fun!

Katie – Jane xx

Top tips for your holiday.

1. – Don’t give in to peer pressure – if you don’t want to do something, Don’t Do it!
2. – Drink responsibly.
3. – Wear a high factor sun cream.
4. – Go on a random tour of the place – see the culture! Great photo ops!!
5. – And last but not least…..Take lots and lots of photos!!!