Introduction from Rachel

Hi there - if you've got this far into the gapyear.com web site the tricky subject of gap years is obviously under discussion in your house. Well parents, this is your page - it's written by me, Rachel, the mother of three - one who's finished his gap year, one planning a gap year, and one who can't wait for her turn to arrive. It's written for all of you who are facing the prospect of your child disappearing off into the hinterland, some of you with absolute delight wishing it were you, and some of you in dread and horror. We hope that these pages will help to address some of the hopes and fears, and the facts and fiction of gap years.

If you go into the main pages of the site you will find loads of information from deciding to gap and UCAS through to such things as the first night away and eating and diet. In fact just about anything to do with gap years. But those pages are written for gappers (those who are about to go on or are already on a gap year) whereas these pages will deal with things more from a parents' perspective.

I hope that we will be able to give you the support and confidence to help your child make the most of one of the most exciting times of their life. Yes, it's daunting for both of you, but if you can help when needed and encourage at all times it can be an incredibly rewarding and enriching experience.