I (21M) recently booked a one week vacation to scotland, I’ve already gone there multiple times but was always travelling with other people. This time I’m planning on going hiking and doing a bit of wild camping on my own. To be clear I’m not planning on camping for 6 nights somewhere in the jungle, only a night or two here and there a couple hours away from cities. I have experience with hiking and am in pretty alright shape so it’s not like I’d be doing something totally new, only the camping.
I still live at home with my mother (not because I still want to, I have a part time job but am using that money to pay for college, so I can’t really afford my own place right now) who has anxiety, can be a bit overprotective and even a teensy tiny bit controlling at times. (Also tbh she listens to more true crime podcasts than is good for her)
When I told her about the trip (which is a couple months from now) she totally freaked out and started yelling at me. She was telling me I was being dumb, would get myself murdered and also the classic "How could you do this to me." I was also told that there were lots of things she wanted to do but didn’t because of her children so I should just not take trips like this to spare her the stress/I’m being mean to her by doing this. I did try to explain to her that this is something I really want to do/I’m an adult but there was really no getting through to her at that point. I’m honestly very torn, I really want to go but now I feel like I’m being mean. Should children not do stuff like this to avoid the stress on their parents? I honestly don’t know right now.
Soooo WIBTA if I still went even when my mother asked me not to?
NTA. You’re a 21 year old man, in good health, with experience of hiking. It’s Scotland – so long as you’re sensible and pack adequate clothing for the changeable conditions and keep an eye on the weather you’ll be fine. Practice safety by telling someone when you expect to be back. She’s worrying too much.