The blog title may sound trivial, but it is a major concern for most aspiring first-time solo travellers. No matter how old you grow, seeking permission from desi parents will never get old. After my first solo trip, my friends were more interested in knowing how I convinced my parents to let me go on a solo trip than hearing about the adventures of my trip.
How to convince your parents to let you go on a solo trip? I don’t know a straight-forward answer to it because I never had to convince them for letting me travel solo. But keep reading, it gets interesting.
In February 2020, I had an intense desire to be on my own and explore a new place solo. I booked a hostel in Udaipur for three days in March during the Holi festival. I didn’t tell anyone about it, not even my closest friends and cousins. I feared telling them about the trip because it was meant to be a solo trip. Just two days before my trip, newspapers were flooded with news about coronavirus cases in India. At the time, COVID-19 was new, but I didn’t care because I wanted to make this trip happen. I called the hostel in Udaipur where I had booked my accommodation and asked if it was safe to travel. As if they were ever going to say “No, it is not safe to travel so please cancel your bookings”. They assured me that there was no issue in travelling to Udaipur and that the media was exaggerating the situation. Anyway, that was exactly what I wanted to hear. So, I packed my bags and decided to go. One day before the trip, I booked a train ticket from Vadodara to Udaipur in tatkal. Being able to book a ticket in tatkal is an achievement. It was a sign that I was finally going to make this solo trip happen.
I remember being at the Vadodara railway station, waiting for the train to come. A few of my friends were travelling home to Pune and were asking me to join them and not go to Udaipur because it was risky. I was a little nervous before boarding the train because I had only informed a couple of friends about the trip, and they were not happy with my decision to not inform my parents. The train journey was exciting because travelling solo was a dream and it was finally happening, but at the same time, I couldn’t sleep peacefully. It was a Saturday morning and Udaipur was just one stop away when my phone rang. My mother was calling me, as usual, to check in on me. I received the call and tried to sound as normal as possible. She asked me how I woke up so early on a weekend and what I planned to have for breakfast. I had obvious replies to these questions. Then she asked me about my weekend plans and the only answer I could think of was “I am going to chill this weekend and maybe explore Vadodara more”. To this, she immediately replied, “Why did you book a Udaipur train ticket then?” It took me a few seconds to process what had just happened. I definitely did not see it coming. There was no way I was going to lie about this trip or hide anything anymore. I didn’t know how to react, so I laughed out of fear and said, “Aai, I am on a trip to Udaipur and the reason I didn’t tell you is that I didn’t want you to worry about me for no reason. I was planning to tell you when I reached Udaipur.” I expected a typical overreaction from my mother, but she only replied with “Okay! And who is with you?” I said I was travelling alone because all my friends had different plans. I could hear my heart racing while I was talking. I was sure she would be upset about the solo trip and my decision to hide it from my parents.
But surprisingly, all she said was “Enjoy the trip, Gayatri, and take care of yourself.” This was something new and I can’t describe how relieving it was to know that my parents were okay with me going on a solo trip. I couldn’t stop myself from asking how she found out about my Udaipur train ticket. I’ve done many dumb things in my life, and this was just another one. I had used an IRCTC account to book the train ticket, which was linked to my mother’s contact number. Cheers! Also, my mother usually ignores every SMS she sees on her phone, so how did she read this one? It was my father who saw the IRCTC message and told my mom about it.
This was a crazy incident that doesn’t really give a clear answer on how to convince your parents to let you go on a solo trip. I’m not suggesting you should do what I did. However, I can give insight into what concerns them the most, and how you can approach the conversation and address their concerns.
- Take charge of your safety – More than anything else, parents are concerned about your safety and well-being. You need to show that you’re responsible and can maturely take care of yourself while travelling solo. And how can you do this? By taking charge of your own travel arrangements, you’re demonstrating that you’re ready for an adventure and capable of handling the responsibilities that come with it. It’s not just about being responsible, it’s also about being independent, confident, and mature enough to handle any challenges that come your way.
- Being Independent – I went on my first solo trip when I was confident about fully funding my trip. By being independent I mean, moving out of your parents’ house and earning your bread. Being independent in itself is a challenge and if you can do it right then you indirectly prove the first point I mentioned above.
- Be prepared – Before you talk to your parents, research the destination and create a detailed itinerary that includes your travel plans, accommodations, and contact information for local authorities. Show them that you have thought carefully about your trip and that you have taken the necessary precautions to stay safe.
- Start small – Even before your first solo trip, go to some nearby place on your own. It can be going on a small hike, visiting a nearby city or town, or even just spending a day exploring your own city. This will give you an idea of what it’s like to travel solo and will also demonstrate to your parents that you’re capable of handling solo trips. Additionally, it will give them a chance to see how you handle things and how you take care of yourself before you go on a longer trip. It’s a great way to ease into solo travel and can build trust and confidence in both you and your parents.
- Show them the benefits – Explain how the trip will benefit you. A solo trip can be a great opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery, and it can help you develop important life skills like independence and problem-solving.
- Address their concerns – Listen to your parents’ concerns and address them directly. If they are worried about your safety, for example, assure them that you will take all necessary precautions and will be in contact with them regularly. If they are worried about the cost, present a budget and explain how you plan to pay for the trip. If they are still not convinced, go along with a travel agency which helps solo travellers plan and execute their trip.
- Be persistent – If your parents are initially hesitant, don’t give up. Keep talking to them and addressing their concerns. It may take time, but with patience and persistence, you may be able to convince them to let you go on your solo trip.
That’s all you can do! It’s important to remember that your parents want what’s best for you, so be respectful and understanding of their concerns. Also, it’s better to focus on the benefits, not just for you but for the family as well. Show them how you will come back with more skills and experiences that can be shared with them. I hope this blog post helps. All the best for your solo trip!
Hahahah great story Gai.. keep going💥❤️
Thanks Ashwini <3