my daughter

[calsunset]

I have a 17 year old daughter that has applied to the Navy for a career, however she had an ear problem when younger and the Navy have now requested that she travel to Portsmouth to see one of their specialists,this is after receiving information from her own specialist. My question: would you be happy allowing a 17 year old girl to travel to London and then on to Portsmouth on her own to see this specialist and then return home reversing the route, bearing in mind that she can be a bit clueless, and the furthest she has travelled alone is about 8 miles away and back. I don't want to stop my daughter from having a career and a wonderful life, but I personally think that this is dangerous in the kind of world that we live in today.Please help, really need peoples opinions...

[sara3]

so, what do you think she'll be doing in the Navy?

[pips1]

Sara, you've just said exactly what I was going to say! She'll be going a lot further than that if she gets in!!

[calsunset]

I think she's applied to be a medical assistant. Forgot to add, we live in Liverpool, and whilst I'm trying not to be too overprotective, I just think that its a bit dangerous for her to go alone considering that there is no provision for anybody to chaperone her..

[twaflooers]

Why does she have to travel alone to London/Portsmouth? Surely someone could go with her? Problem solved.

[sara3]

I think if your daughter wants to venture out in the big wide world, getting to Portsmouth should be do-able. of course you could go with her, but one day she may be on a very big ship...

[calsunset]

She has to stay overnight, in a hospital wing. I can't affford to pay for a hotel/B&B plus the transport. Transport alone, at its cheapest is around �80. I have two other children at home, and there's no-one else that can afford the time or the money to go with her.

[pips1]

Honestly, I think she'll be fine. She seems to know what she wants out of life. Trust her to take care of herself, at least with mobile phones you can keep contact with her.

[calsunset]

If she is accepted by the Navy, I would be one of the proudest people alive. When she actually joins it would be 15 months down the line, and I'm sure she would have other people to go down to Portsmouth with.So I wouldn't be too worried then. It just seems extreme for a 17 year old to make her own way to London and out to Portsmouth and back...

[calsunset]

Would like to thank you all for your opinions, I'm really grateful for the quick replies, it'll be a case of me sitting her down and discussing the whole situation with her, and let her make her own decision about it.Again, many thanks for your opinions.

[pips1]

I know 17 is very young, and I would be worried too if it was my daughter, but young people seem much more confident these days. Your worry will become her worry then she'll become apprehensive. I'm sure someone will take care of her once she gets there. There are more good people around than bad, and on the whole most people are helpful if they see you on your own. Take care and good luck to her. x

[Beanmistriss]

Hi. I moved to London from Scotland 5 years ago. Although I am older than your daughter (23 when I moved) I was bloody terrified especially when I had to go into London, use trains etc. Where I come from its one side of the platform for Aberdeen, other side for Inverness - theres not much to get wrong. Anyhoo what I wanted to say was that everytime I have got stuck or needed help people have been very nice and helpful. Theres the odd person who just gives you an odd look and walks on but more often thatn not people will be really nice. Sometimes when I've just been looking a bit confused people have asked if I need help. I think she would be fine and it would do wonders for her confidence whenshe managed it by herself :)

[theonlyone]

Your daugther will be fine ..and you will
be a SO proud Mum if she makes the
the grade ...i'm a southener and she
only has to ask and people will put her
right ...don't believe all on the TV ..

[bednobs]

hiya, i'm sorry to sound harsh but come on! If she goes in the navy she will be GOING TO WAR whether she is an officer or medical assistant. Going to war is significantly more scary (to me anyway) than travelling from liverpool to pompey. You talk abut "the world we live in today" but tbh, the vast majority of people are nice! if she gets lost all she has to do is ask someone. if its haslar she is going to then its only a short ferry ride away fromt he station at the harbour. You asked for peopes opinions, and in my opnion you can get married at 16 annd live away from home, so traveling from 1 part of the country to another should be a breeze. Take your lead from her, if she is happy to go, then be happy to let her go

[puddicat]

i know times have changed but there isnt any more danger than there was in my days, if she is a sensible girl let her go, i left home at fifteen,she is joining the navy seeing the world,if she cant get to london and back to liverpool what are chances in the navy???

[Naomicorlett]

It might make it easier for her if you sit down together and write a journey plan.
train , company , platform ? time of departure
time of arrival
Which tube line colour on map and direction of travel eg. north south etc
which mainline station to go to in london . try to cover all the journey and dont forget to reverse the instructions for her return. Make sure she has two purses one deep in bag or pocket and another with enough change in for tube drinks ect.
I know how you feel my daughter went from Isle of Man to England at 17 for interviews and it was the getting lost or confused that worried her most.
It's all in the planning. Wish her well from me.

[daffy654]

At age 13 I travelled alone on the train from Leicester to Bridlington,I had to change trains at Sheffield and Hull. I was fine if a little nervous,I don't see why a 17 year old can't travel alone as long as she is careful and vigilant.

[terambulan]

She travels to Euston, into tube for Waterloo and then to Portsmouth. She wont exit the rail system till she reaches her destination - what can go wrong? The trains & tubes are populated and with emergency buttons - she will be safe.

Make sure she carries food & drink so she doesn't have to leave travel system.

Once she enters the Pompy navy base she will be supervised. These are her first steps to the adventure she is after.....good luck - Pompy is a great place.

[Naomicorlett]

Oh just one thought ..when I first went to college in london I didn't know how to use tube system and bought a ticket to first interchnge , went up the escalator and then bought another ticket to next interchange etc. Nobody had told me that you buy just the one ticket and stay underground !!

[Naomicorlett]

Had another thought..... if you go onto thetrainline and search for routes avoiding London Euston she can change at Stafford and Southampton.....might be easier. Buy one thro' ticket.