Is my child really an adult at 12? Can't book a blasted holiday.

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You know I really don't have a funny story to tell or jokes to relay the fact that I am hacked off that when it suits people my children, aged 12 and 14,  are considered adults. Then in the next breath, when it suits them again, they're no longer adults but children. I am talking specifically about airlines and some holiday companies. Every website that I search on wants to know how old my children will be on their return journey home. What difference does that make? When  I book the holiday is the key isn't it?  How old they are when I book or, at best,  when we begin our travel should be the focus but it's  not. Anyway for them to make money!

I guess I should look on the bright side. That being a single parent my 14 year old will entitle me to a 2 adults and 1 child  deal, when they deem my 12 year old is still a child, which should result in some kind of discount. Really? That is short lived espeically  when you get to the hotel. Why? Because she will be considered a child and will not be allow to do things as if she is an adult! She can't take excursions by herself, she can't order alcohol (not that I would let her) and she can't book excursions like quad biking without a real adult being present to sign all the documentation required. So really who benefits?

I think I was living in a fantasy when I started to look for flights before the Christmas period. And that's another thing why the heck do  I have to pay hiked up prices for flights during school holidays? Parents are  penalised if we take kids out of school, to take advantage of cheaper prices for holidays, or we are reduced to making up some excuses as to why we are travelling so we can get our kids out of school! If  I want to live a life that is aligned with telling the  ruth at its core  I am stabbed in the foot because the price of honesty could just about cost me a grand!

When looking for flights I  couldn't find anything cheaper than 2.5K.  No tell a lie. 2K and that was for  Spain. I remember when you could travel to Spain for less than £400.00 and now they quote me nearly 2k because it's the Christmas season!  What websites was I looking on?  Well  they were the usual nothing luxurious just  plan old 3 star for  a family holiday.  I guess I am being too picky.  No reject that thought. But really am I being  too picky?  I mean even caravan park prices have risen beyond belief.  Why because they have upgraded?  I thought to myself that what I really needed to do was re-think what we really needed when we go away on a break or book 2 years in advance to secure a good price! The trouble with booking two years in advance is that I might be dead before I can use it and giving all that money to a travel agent doesn't sit well on my chest.

So I have been looking to book some holidays and discover the real impact of the leisure industry categorising my teenagers as 'adults".  Why lie in your adverts telling me  that children go free because you really don't mean it?   What you should say is that tiny under 5 year old children go FREE. It's cheaper to just book adults and since your gonna lie about discounts for children I will not lead myself  into temptations so I will not admit that I am bringing a child. Wait that's lying isn't it ?Heck there goes the compromise to my soul. Oh wait let me re-think that a little.  I could get around it by putting them on the plane  alone. Oh dear  I can't really  do that anymore because paying an adult fare does not guarantee that they can fly alone. Why?  Because they are considered children!  Yeah but  what the heck if I am paying adult fare then they really are adults and should be treated as such while on the plane.  Shouldn't they?  I mean if I pay an adult fare for them they should be able to fly alone like any other adult.

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According to the law my teenagers are not adults so what gives?
Who do I listen to?  The travel agent or the law?  If my so called adults decided that they didn't want to go to school ain't I the guardian who can be given penalty notices and asked to pay fines for their lack of attendance and even taken to court! Why?  Because they are not  considered adults but minors under my 'control'. Now isn't that hilarious (hil....lar....ri..ous).

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The law wants to lower the age of consent to 16, however everyone knows that while you may think of yourself as mature or fantasise about how mature you are, you actually haven't grown up yet. A few more knocks in life will give you that title you so badly desire. Time is the matter of this one I'm afraid. Now if  you have sex with anyone under the age of 16 it's rape. Where are the blurred lines and boundaries on that one then? Double standards? Yes but its still the law.

As I listen to my 14 year old  come to grips with some political and theoretical concepts such as capitalism, communism socialism democracy and so on ( she's taking GCSE Citizenship) I ask myself is she would be well rounded enough to actually vote at 16 or emotionally handle sexual intercourse?  Kids find it emotionally difficult to handle their parents separating ( which can emotionally impact them for years to come) so are they  really ready to vote?  Vote for who?  Most, if not all,  the politicians look a like and when it comes to voting time they make fake promises to gain office and then ignore the said some people who put them in office.

Childhood has been under attack for ages and the sexualisation of children has been rampant and subliminal. The media and what do they call reality TV has helped to desensitise us to many things. I know I am a lone voice in the wind but let me just tell you one thing.  My children are not adults!
I shouldn't even be surprised at the way we treat children. Some of us cannot relate to children: ours or others. Some can't even be  bothered to break down their  language, or thoughts, so that young minds can capture what we are trying to say. Some parents talk to their children as if they are adults and swear at them,  call them all kind of names,  when they fail to  understand what mum or dad has said.  Parenting brings out the frustration in us and if you don't take time to deal with that you create messed up kids. Yes there is no handbook but there is sense and gut feeling.  Sometimes you know when something doesn't feel right. How you respond to that feeling separated us. Sos. We need help.

So did  I book the holiday? The answer my friends is ...................I'm still looking for that 'deal.' Maybe by the time that happens my children will actually be adults....for real!