Advice for parents

Rachel Gallagher writes...
"The approach of A level results is a stressful time for parents, as well as young people. One option which your son or daughter may be considering is taking a gap year (roughly 40 per cent of those who take a gap year every year decide to do so after they get their results).

If you've got this far into gapyear.com the tricky subject of gap years is obviously under discussion in your house. Well, parents, this is your area - it's written by me, Rachel, mother of three - one who's finished his gap year, one planning a gap year and one who can't wait for her turn to arrive. It's written for all of you who are facing the prospect of your child disappearing off into the hinterland, some of you with absolute delight wishing it were you, and some of you in dread and horror. We hope that these pages will help to address some of the hopes and fears, and the facts and fiction of gap years.

If you go into the main pages of the site you will find loads of information about everything from round the world flights to volunteer projects to choosing a good hostel. In fact just about anything to do with gap years. But those pages are written for gappers (those who are about to go on or are already on a gap year) whereas these pages will deal with things more from a parents' perspective.

I hope that we will be able to give you the support and confidence to help your child make the most of one of the most exciting times of their life. Yes, it's daunting for both of you, but if you can help when needed and encourage at all times it can be an incredibly rewarding and enriching experience."

Click here >> for general gap year advice for parents
Click here >> for practical gap year advice for parents
Click here >> to read about parents' experiences (including Richard Branson!)