working abroad

[mollymandy]

My 18 year old Daughter wants to work in spain , i am terrified what advice can you give me on how i can cope , and what can i do to help her have a fun and safe time . Does anyone know of any useful books i could read on this subject .. ? She is studing tourism and getting a work placement via college .

[noxlumos]

The Spanish are great people and frankly she's going to have a whale of a time, which is, I presume, what your worried about.lol

It's alarming when your kids first break out into the world especially when it's another country, but this sounds initially at least quite temporary if it's a college work placement.She may get there, not like it and come home after her placement is finished.

To be honest you're going to have to trust her judgement for the most part. Ask her what she needs you to help her with, then I'm afraid you'll have to largely trust to her common sense.You can talk on the phone or via messenger sevices everyday if you're terribly worried and I'm sure she'll take on board your concerns.

I have two older children working away from the UK one in Eire and one in Germany at the moment (19 and 18) so I do know how you feel.

It being a college placement too I think you have little to worry about to be honest as they'll be careful to place them well, as the legal implications if they placed them anywhere danegrous don't bear thinking about for them.

Try to relax, she's no more likely to come to grief in Spain than Basingstoke and I'm sure she'll just have a great time. If she's there for a while you could maybe go out and visit her since easy jet do fares from about �6.00 and have a holiday yourself for a few days.

[bohochick]

hi molly mandy i can't really reccomend any books to read but just to say not to worry too much. i worked in canada for 6 months when i was 19 and loved every second of it. it was the best and most defining experience of my life, she will come back a more mature and confident person having done this. just have faith in her that she is sensible and if she did get into bother that you will always be there to help good luck

[WendyS]

I imagine there will be a work placement contact in Spain in the event of emergencies, but send her off with the following information:

• Her E111 Medical Card and the accompanying booklet about getting medical help in Europe.


• The address & phone number of the British Consulate in Spain (who are a useful contact in case of major problems)


• Sort out a facility for her to draw some emergency money there


• I assume she is also learning Spanish. If not, encourage her to learn some basics before departing although many people there will speak English.


• And if she's not on the pill, have a serious talk with her just in case her idea of a "fun time" and yours do not coincide.

Apart from that, you'll just have to trust that she's sensible enough to take care of herself. And I'm sure she will be fine.

[gemmabe]

Hi mollymandy

It is only natural you're worried! But she is probably safer over there than she is here!

Perhaps you could read up on the area she will be living in to familiarise yourself with it so it may be a little less scary and new for you? Also as previously suggested, going out there to see things for yourself I'm sure would help a great deal.

I am only 22 myself, and to be honest am quite jealous of your daughter! This seems a fantastic opportunity for her :) My father has just moved to Spain permanently as he has taken a job in Gibraltar. He lives in La Linea on the Costa del Sol which is beautiful (I am quite jealous of him too!). Do you know where your daughter will be staying yet? Please reply here when you do - I would be interested to know myself as I know Spain quite well.

Take care :)

[Ginger Elf]

I don't know about the practicalities of parenting and coping with a teenager i'm afraid, but i know of a fun and loving way to make sure she knows your'e thinking of her! visit www.saysomethingspecial.co.uk and post greetings to her with photos so she knows she's not forgotten!