Well, I know what it feels like to be let loose in Negril at 39, lol.
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Well, I know what it feels like to be let loose in Negril at 39, lol.
don't worry..negril police station has a rum bar...
i went alone when i was 18...and look how i turnrd out...hic..pass the gin please...
We gave our kids a pretty free rein in the day but we always stayed close without suffocating at night. They had a night at the jungle with a trusted driver. They made it home safe for breakfast. I didn't ask questions. They had a blast at Seastar Sat night. I second Margaritaville. They will find people their age there. We had the best time as a family in Negril.
If they aren’t outgoing, fearless, adventurous, will-have-fun-anywhere individuals then they will be when they leave Negril. If they are then you may not see them till it’s time to leave Negril.
At 19 & 20 you can’t force them to stay in so I suggest getting yourself a few bottles of 5-hour energy and go with them to the night spots….Jungle, Alfreds, Margarittaville and Ricks.
Warning my opinion will not coincide with popular belief:
My honest answer based on my own children is leave them home LOL but yours are already coming, don't let them go anywhere without you, or bribe them to stay on resort at night if it were me.
Just my humble Mother to children that age honesty. My kids make mistakes and my kids are adventurous but being on the Negril streets and beach at night counting on locals to watch them like you would is something i would never in a million years do.
Think of what you do know CAN happen and think of all those nieve first time travelers that you watch get scammed each day. If my kids try shrooms in the US I would kill them, they try them in Negril and either the shrooms or somebody may do the same. I feel bad for the newbies and i would never want my children to try to learn the ropes without me along.
I actually have to agree with you.Quote:
Originally Posted by shellyk
Get them up early and a full day in the ocean and sun - organize a day trip or two - basically tire them out - maybe a catamaran sunset tour and any night lfe I would be there. Thursdays you can go to the show at Charlea. Basically when mine came with me I fore warned them of all the pitt falls that could happen. Besides if it was my treat then they needed to respect my requests. Long day in the sun - a late dinner with a long sitting and they'll be ready to hit the hay :)
They are legally adults, though I am sure they will always be your kids :) It might be a good idea to get Jamaican cellphones for everyone so when you are not together you can easily call one another if needed or check in.
When I was 21 I took 3 friends, ages 16, 18 and 19 down the coast of Mexico on a three month road camping trip with me. Since I was the senior one, and the 16 year old was my ex-boyfriend's little brother--I played the role of the responsible adult--even when I was downing Margaritas and sliding down fire poles that went from the third floor to ground floor in a night club.
I drove my pick up from California to Arizona and across the boarder to the coast and then down the coast to south of Mazatlan, stopping wherever we wanted to camp out for a while. There were a few intense moments of rounding up the troops and getting them out of iffy situations--mainly girl and boy problems fueled by tequila and beer (drinking age was 18 there but it was never enforced). But all in all it was one of the best trips of my life. My friends and I had an amazing time and incredible adventures and we all learned so much.
I am sure it is quite different when you are a parent and not just a young guardian of even younger friends--but I think travel is great for teenagers/young adults. There is so much to be learned from other cultures and it opens up the world in a way that nothing else can and makes a life-long impact. I am so thankful that I was able to travel when I was young and the memories are just as vivid for me decades later as they were right after the trip.
So I am all for them going to Negril and having a great time. You know your kids and I am sure you can judge whether to send them off to have fun with a trusted driver or stay by their side. Do they still live at home? I had been living on my own since I was seventeen and was already used to being responsible for myself and also having complete freedom along with that responsibility.
My kids are much younger, so I don't have any good parental advice to offer from personal experience, but I think a lot depends upon your kids. Are your kids mature for their ages, are they street smart, or naive? Are they used to nightlife back home? It might be a good idea to go out with them the first night or two, keeping a healthy distance so that they can still have fun,yet know that you are right across the club if they should need you. If they (and you) seem comfortable, then perhaps let them venture out alone the next night. Just take it one night at a time, set boundaries, and do what is comfortable and safe for all of you. I like another boardie's suggestion of providing them with a JA phone. Let us know how it turns out!