From the moment I got my driver's license, there wasn't a thing in the world my parents could have done to prevent me from going off on my own adventures. Looking back, I'm a little amazed that my parents didn't try to discourage me or ask me to check in when I would drive off 4-6 hours away to hike and camp. So many things could have happened - the thing is, my parents trusted my judgement and my skills and while they probably spent alot of sleepless nights that I didn't know about, they sucked it up and let me do my own thing.

My advice to dad is: if you trust your daughter's judgement, and you've seen her successfully navigate difficult situations on her own, then let her do her thing and not see you panic. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> He can talk her through a few "worst case scenarios" and see how she responds to different types of emergency situations. In doing so, they would also be on the same page so that he would know more or less what to expect of her should something come up. Have her plan out her trip and know all of her bail out points. Let her step up to the plate and show that she does know what she is doing.

There are always going to be those unknown factors that dad will fear but be unable to control. You just can't let your fear of those zebras put a prison around your daughter. Trust in her and it will build a stronger relationship as she transitions to adulthood.

MNS