Taking 14 year old

[heyjude]

We will be walking the Camino Frances - late Apr/May and want to take our 14 yo grandson. Has anybody else taken a young teenager. The boy wants to go. One parent wants him to, the other is nervous. School principal says it's doable. Any advice?

[Leslie]

The first time I walked the Camino I met and walked for a while with three generations from the one family walking together. Son, father, grandfather. The boy was 15 and had no problem with the walking but got very interested in a few girls along the way.

I would suggest a pay as you go phone for him and make sure he understand that he must stay on the Camino and not wander off it. From what I remember the kid wanted on various days to walk with other people, so the phone kept them in touch.

Personally I think it sounds like it would be a great experience for him.

[heyjude]

The first time I walked the Camino I met and walked for a while with three generations from the one family walking together. Son, father, grandfather. The boy was 15 and had no problem with the walking but got very interested in a few girls along the way.

I would suggest a pay as you go phone for him and make sure he understand that he must stay on the Camino and not wander off it. From what I remember the kid wanted on various days to walk with other people, so the phone kept them in touch.

Thanks, Leslie. The phone sounds like a great idea! Can't wait.

[Lipka149]

We will be walking the Camino Frances. The boy wants to go.

Starting from St. Jean ? All the way to Santiago ? What "Rules of the Road" do you have in mind ?

One parent wants him to, the other is nervous. School principal says it's doable. Any advice?

I am of like mind with both parents. The third party opinion is ambiguous.

OK, Grandpa(ma) ... it appears to be up to you ! Are you willing to guide an adolescent for a months time at the expense of your own experience ? Is this young person mature enough to travel with ? A month is a looooong time ... I did it with an adult son and wanted to <ahem> discipline him along the Way ! He was not exactly willing to listen ...

So much depends on your relationship with this young person. Are you friends ? A good, solid relationship to begin with would probably result in a wonderful experience. Anything less than that is going to be risky. If Mama wants him to go but Daddy is nervous, consider carefully. If Daddy says yes and Mama is nervous, I'm more comfortable with that. I could be wrong, but as a Daddy, I'm more willing to risk my child with their grandparent over the concern of his mother. My advice is to define 3 rules that are INVIOLATE. If the child agrees that they are "no brainers", then go ahead. Any resistance ... no go.

Wonderful way to build family ! Go for it !

PS Mama has to agree to the 3 Rules. She may not like the idea, but if she does not buy in to the 3 Rules, it will not work. Be sure Mama agrees to the 3 Rules. Ask her first.

[heyjude]

Thank you, Lipka149. So - having done the Camino with your adult son, which three rules are you thinking about? I hope the two of you are still on speaking terms.

The dad is yea, the mom is nay.

Judy

[camitheo]

Dear Jude,
I personally was already 19 when i first walked the Camino. There i saw all kinds of people walking the road, from 14yo kids with uncle aunt and nieces, to a 4yo walking it with daddy and mommy. the basic is the mental preparation for him and for you.
He needs to know what he's getting into. Know what 30km walking with a backpack, sleeping in a field, still walking after blisters, the monotone landscapes, the rough terrain literately and mentally. it is a hard and though road which can bring a seasoned soldier to it knees and cry, but also let a four year old bloom, a flourish. the confrontation with yourself is enormous. So I believe you should have a good preparation before you go. read up on the history, the traditions, the dangers, the experience of others...
For your grandson it will be important in my opinion, to trust him, be able to reason with him and let him discover his own Camino.
Buen Camino

ps:when are you going?

[heyjude]

Thank you for a very thoughtful reply. We had planned to go at the very end of April, to return first week of June (Frances Route). However, the boy's principal would like him back by May 25th to be at school for two weeks before exams start. Still awaiting word from his parents as to whether or not he will be allowed to go. Didn't want to start a heated discussion in his family, but it would really be good for him. Loved your last line: For your grandson it will be important in my opinion, to trust him, be able to reason with him and let him discover his own Camino.
My thoughts exactly.
Judy