Daughter heading to Aus
Discussion
It's another one of those things you come to face as a parent.
Youngest Daughter has decided to head down under for a working type trip of a lifetime with 3 friends. They have the relevant visas, are starting in Perth where one of the girls sister is living. I've just been told that they go at the end of Nov and come back next August. Whilst there will be tears I'm very excited for her.
I know nothing about this level of adventure. I suppose I am looking for the real basics that I can do as a remote parent to help. I will buy her luggage, but want to get the best based on experience rather than advertising. Is there anything in particular I need to make sure she takes. She's not sure what balance of clothes to take or even how best to dress when travelling (stop over in Hong Kong).
Any advice from PH'ers that have done it or are over there now?
Youngest Daughter has decided to head down under for a working type trip of a lifetime with 3 friends. They have the relevant visas, are starting in Perth where one of the girls sister is living. I've just been told that they go at the end of Nov and come back next August. Whilst there will be tears I'm very excited for her.
I know nothing about this level of adventure. I suppose I am looking for the real basics that I can do as a remote parent to help. I will buy her luggage, but want to get the best based on experience rather than advertising. Is there anything in particular I need to make sure she takes. She's not sure what balance of clothes to take or even how best to dress when travelling (stop over in Hong Kong).
Any advice from PH'ers that have done it or are over there now?
Been over to Perth a few times and next go in December. Its a nice city but there is much more to WA than Perth itself. It also feels a very young place population wise even though there isn't quite as much to do as Sydney etc.
Packing wise it is a little different to 10 years ago when if you wanted Brit thing, you needed to take them with you! Clothing wise, I always found shoes to be pricey over there compared with the UK - no idea why! As she is going as Summer hits, don't take a case full of warm clothes! Just plenty of swimwear, light tops and she will be fine. A must is a decent pair of sunglasses but again, you can get loads over there.
Packing wise it is a little different to 10 years ago when if you wanted Brit thing, you needed to take them with you! Clothing wise, I always found shoes to be pricey over there compared with the UK - no idea why! As she is going as Summer hits, don't take a case full of warm clothes! Just plenty of swimwear, light tops and she will be fine. A must is a decent pair of sunglasses but again, you can get loads over there.
Nothing to bulky, it will never be used. If she has 15 coats, leave them! Maybe two.... scarves etc, don't bother. Is she is travelling light or packing tea chests? Shoes ARE expensive, you struggle to get the value for money like Jones' etc...
Having just moved over a year ago I would say its not stuff you give her that will help. I would make sure she has some form of Skype / iPhone Facetime machine and commit yourself to a UK Sunday morning 10am video chat every weekend, or atleast every other...that will be her Sunday night. Do it regularly, don't skip them, it will be immensely supportive and i think that's more important than anything else. My mum got an iPhone and Facetime has become a REVELATION, as Skype I find unrealiable.
Don't commit to regular calls and it becomes the thing where you keep missing each other due to the time diff....and don't forget to call, work out the time difference and call! Mostly its just nice to get the call, don't worry about disturbing or anything thing like that. Mailed relief packages of favourite things (sweets, marmite, whatever) is nice too, you can get most stuff over here but its just nice every now and then...my mum does this and I LOVE it!
As for "stuff" funnily its odd things that are not exciting that I would take. Set of bed sheets, Couple of pairs of nice shoes, lots of summer tops even if they are primani or something (they'll get loads of use) to get her started. Its supposed to be a mega hot summer this year. Clothes are expensive so a shopping trip beforehand is no bad thing. I would not single anything out, is just cheaper in the UK all round.
Other than that let her work it out! That's half the fun / challenge, just make sure you are on hand for parenting duties!
Having just moved over a year ago I would say its not stuff you give her that will help. I would make sure she has some form of Skype / iPhone Facetime machine and commit yourself to a UK Sunday morning 10am video chat every weekend, or atleast every other...that will be her Sunday night. Do it regularly, don't skip them, it will be immensely supportive and i think that's more important than anything else. My mum got an iPhone and Facetime has become a REVELATION, as Skype I find unrealiable.
Don't commit to regular calls and it becomes the thing where you keep missing each other due to the time diff....and don't forget to call, work out the time difference and call! Mostly its just nice to get the call, don't worry about disturbing or anything thing like that. Mailed relief packages of favourite things (sweets, marmite, whatever) is nice too, you can get most stuff over here but its just nice every now and then...my mum does this and I LOVE it!
As for "stuff" funnily its odd things that are not exciting that I would take. Set of bed sheets, Couple of pairs of nice shoes, lots of summer tops even if they are primani or something (they'll get loads of use) to get her started. Its supposed to be a mega hot summer this year. Clothes are expensive so a shopping trip beforehand is no bad thing. I would not single anything out, is just cheaper in the UK all round.
Other than that let her work it out! That's half the fun / challenge, just make sure you are on hand for parenting duties!
All of those suggestions are very good and very relevant, but to add to the list i'd say one of the most important safeguards would be the return airfare! If it all goes to hell in a handbasket she'll only be 24hours away. I know you'll have the return already, but it might be wise to see what its terms are regarding extending or exchanging that airfare as well - I know plenty of people who only came for a year and have stayed a lot longer...
silverthorn2151 said:
It's another one of those things you come to face as a parent.
Youngest Daughter has decided to head down under for a working type trip of a lifetime with 3 friends. They have the relevant visas, are starting in Perth where one of the girls sister is living. I've just been told that they go at the end of Nov and come back next August. Whilst there will be tears I'm very excited for her.
I know nothing about this level of adventure. I suppose I am looking for the real basics that I can do as a remote parent to help. I will buy her luggage, but want to get the best based on experience rather than advertising. Is there anything in particular I need to make sure she takes. She's not sure what balance of clothes to take or even how best to dress when travelling (stop over in Hong Kong).
Any advice from PH'ers that have done it or are over there now?
Ok I did this trip in 2004, be prepared she will end up leaving the UK lol, I went with four friends one now lives in LA (one our stops) One in NZ and two of us in Australia. One is in UK hating every day.Youngest Daughter has decided to head down under for a working type trip of a lifetime with 3 friends. They have the relevant visas, are starting in Perth where one of the girls sister is living. I've just been told that they go at the end of Nov and come back next August. Whilst there will be tears I'm very excited for her.
I know nothing about this level of adventure. I suppose I am looking for the real basics that I can do as a remote parent to help. I will buy her luggage, but want to get the best based on experience rather than advertising. Is there anything in particular I need to make sure she takes. She's not sure what balance of clothes to take or even how best to dress when travelling (stop over in Hong Kong).
Any advice from PH'ers that have done it or are over there now?
She will need to travel super light - nothing more that a few tops and skirts/ shorts (I was the only male so I saw first hand how girls struggled), anything more just gets dumped. Lightweight swag (sleeping bag) Inflatable pillow, rucksack with waterproof sections, lightweight shoes - one pair and a pair of thongs (flip flops).
What she will need is cash to replace items as they wear out from constant use - you have to remember she is travelling with everything she needs on her back so it MUST be light.
There will be occasions where she has to sleep rough (cant get a hostel - nights at airports etc) this is why the swag and inflatable pillow are invaluable.
Don't worry Australia is super safe and thousands of us do it every year. Perth is summertime so she will be fine but I presume she will head south later in the year - come March etc its cooling down in the southern states.
If she comes up to the NT at all (real outback australia) let me know and I will sort her an itinery as I did for Custard tart.
Edited by james280779 on Thursday 27th September 06:00
This is all brilliant stuff people and exactly what I was hoping for.
I'm trying not to interfere too much as part of the adventure is her doing all this for herself but I wanted the knolwedge to guide with a degree of confidence.
She has a return ticket (or will have). I have already spoken to her about an exit or escape route if things don't go right. They are getting tickets through Trailfinders adn I understand that although the return flight home is booked for a date in late August it can be changed for a fixed fee of £100.
To be honest though I console myself that if there is some sort of disaster I can go and get her or at least get her home somehow.
We have already spoken about the skype thing. Casting her adrift just isn't going to happen so we will be speaking with her regularly. She is leaving her iphone here (and I'm apparantly paying the blessed contract while she is away!!)as her provider were less than helpful. I rather presume she would get a pay as you go phone over there and we'll work out a way of texting to trigger a skype call.
We have various friends and contacts in the areas they plan heading to awho are all happy to act as emergency contacts, which as a parent is a considerable comfort.
Wish we'd done it to be honest but when I were a lad the only option was a trip round europe on a train! Wasn't prepared to give up my 1275gt for that though!
I'm trying not to interfere too much as part of the adventure is her doing all this for herself but I wanted the knolwedge to guide with a degree of confidence.
She has a return ticket (or will have). I have already spoken to her about an exit or escape route if things don't go right. They are getting tickets through Trailfinders adn I understand that although the return flight home is booked for a date in late August it can be changed for a fixed fee of £100.
To be honest though I console myself that if there is some sort of disaster I can go and get her or at least get her home somehow.
We have already spoken about the skype thing. Casting her adrift just isn't going to happen so we will be speaking with her regularly. She is leaving her iphone here (and I'm apparantly paying the blessed contract while she is away!!)as her provider were less than helpful. I rather presume she would get a pay as you go phone over there and we'll work out a way of texting to trigger a skype call.
We have various friends and contacts in the areas they plan heading to awho are all happy to act as emergency contacts, which as a parent is a considerable comfort.
Wish we'd done it to be honest but when I were a lad the only option was a trip round europe on a train! Wasn't prepared to give up my 1275gt for that though!
justnotsure said:
Pommygranite said:
In Perth - be wary of Northbridge at night, never taxi alone at night, wear sunscreen.
Sunscreen at night????? 
custardtart said:
Don't buy her anything other than a (small) memento of home and don't organise a regular skype.
Part of the point is for her to break out of the family reliance and fend for herself.
If she's a sensible girl she'll keep in touch.
Pretty big disclaimer - I have no kids
I said be available and ready for it ...obviously not incoporate a dictatorial regime about it! Part of the point is for her to break out of the family reliance and fend for herself.
If she's a sensible girl she'll keep in touch.
Pretty big disclaimer - I have no kids
Whn my Aussie wife moved to the UK she both loved it and complained about it...if I suggested not doing she got all defensive...so actually I suggest you do suggest it. Having done the opposite move I would love my parents to suggest it. It doesn't have to be every weekend but a quick text should be all thats needed to confirma call or not when you have a regular slot.
though granted if she is moving to Aus to get away from you it might not work! Lol!
silverthorn2151 said:
What's the best thing for her to do mobile phone wise?
Bring an old one from the UK, find somewhere that will unlock it and then get a pay as you go sim. Or just buy a pay as you go mobile here. Maybe she could get international roaming on her iphone seeing as she's still stuck under contract, but she will need to be strict and ONLY switch it on to text.custardtart said:
silverthorn2151 said:
What's the best thing for her to do mobile phone wise?
Bring an old one from the UK, find somewhere that will unlock it and then get a pay as you go sim. Or just buy a pay as you go mobile here. Maybe she could get international roaming on her iphone seeing as she's still stuck under contract, but she will need to be strict and ONLY switch it on to text.DON'T use roaming here - there is no $ limit to the billing of it here unlike EU so data charges are horrific.
Flip it round - if someone were going to the UK what would you do?
Oh, travel insurance -get it and get it good. Theres no NHS here so that ambulance call out - $500-1000. Just for theambulance. That or sign up for a cheap medical insurance when she gets here - google medibank/hbf/bupa.
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