Teen 1: “Hey Becky, can you chill with the butt shaking? My parents are like literally right over and they’re watching.” Teen 2: “Ummm, what are your parents doing at schoolies?”
Mighty good question there Teen 2, what are parents doing at schoolies?
I mean, it’s one thing to go on holidays with your dad when it’s just the two of you and he’s willing to pay… but schoolies? It’s so something Regina’s mum would do.
Apparently a few oldies got together and decided unanimously that 2016 was the year to embarrass the sh#t out of their kids, by tagging along to those end-of-study celebrations.
According to research conducted by Schoolies.com, there’s an emerging trend of ‘poolie parents’ – cringe, there’s even a word for them! – who are joining their graduates on schoolies escapes.
The site’s CEO, Matt Lloyd, said they’re booking the same destination at the same time but thankfully staying in separate resorts and planning different activities.
Phew! That sounds okay.
“It is something that is occurring a little more frequently these days, parents travelling with their kids.”
Matt Lloyd, Schoolies.com CEO
“I think there’s a sense of wanting to keep an eye on them, but also the opportunity to take a well-earned holiday while their child celebrates a major milestone.”
Despite the rise in over-attached parents, there’s also a significant number of kids doing it on their own. Last year, some 6,000 Australian graduates went to Bali alone, and a comparable number will be heading overseas solo this year.
Mr Lloyd said that although the Gold Coast was overwhelmingly the most popular destination Bali and Fiji were popular markets for students looking for a unique end-of-year adventure.
“While the vast majority of Schoolies see Surfers Paradise as the traditional home of Schoolies Week, there will always be those young travellers looking to try something new.”
Matt Lloyd