Travel Advice For Parents
So your parents are fretting about your trip. It could be over fears for your safety, over you potential lack of drive for ‘real work’ or university, or they might just be secretly a little jealous of opportunities they might never have taken up. If you want them to help pay for the trip rather than them being a pain in the backside, there are plenty of ways 
you can bring them aboard.
- Show your parents you know a bit about where you are going. Proving to them you have taken the time to research your destination will help calm their fears. Don’t ever tell them that a travel agent said everything will be fine (as your parents will just think you are being sold by a salesperson), show them that you have really looked into your destination on your own, sit down with them and go through some facts.
- One thing parents might be happy to help pay for is insurance. It’s worth getting for their piece of mind as much as yours. It will show that you are serious about managing any potential risks.
- Get your parents involved. Give them detailed itineraries, show that you have a budget in mind and who they can call for help (travel agents numbers/insurance companies) if you can’t yourself. If you plan to keep a blog teach them how to follow it. Let them do some ringing around for prices as well; they will be well attuned to some of the BS from salespeople that you might not. It could help you save some money.
- Tell them the trip will actually be good for your career. Australian employers would rarely look down on you having taken the initiative to travel, especially if you have committed to some sort of work while you are away. Moreover, travel really opens you up to new ideas; tell them its part of your search for a meaningful career. Hammer this one home, as it’s probably what most parents will be stressing about.
Unless your careful you might end up with a GPS tracking device in your backpack like the young British traveller in this article (http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au). An extreme case but better to have you parents onside before you go.
Always check out www.smarttraveller.gov.au for the most up to date country specific information before you book those flights.
With a bit of planning your parents will be on side and hopefully chipping in for what is always a worthwhile experience.
Also check out the round the world section or working overseas
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