My parents are both warm and loving people who raised my sister and I fairly well considering the pure hell I put them through (I was a little bit of a handful as an infant, toddler, child, teen and young adult, ok in all stages of life!). They taught me right from wrong and tried to set me up the best for my adult life.

Some of the things my parents taught me are helpful to this day, especially now I'm working in a backpackers hostel and I thought I might share these with you.

 

“Good night sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite”.

This was almost a nightly saying from my parents! As a child I imagined bed bugs to be huge creatures with long filthy claws and razor sharp fangs. My bedroom light would turn out and I'd picture these creatures waiting in the shadows and not unlike Freddie Kruger – waiting for me to drift off then they would attack. Sweet dreams!

Now of course I know better, however in the 9 years I've spent in this industry I have only ever seen bedbug bites once and was lucky enough that the poor girl who had sustained the injury did so at another hostel. Of course bedbugs are a very real part of backpacking, but steps by traveller and hostel can be made to reduce the chances of the little buggers getting into the hostel.

“Do to others as you want them to do to you”.

In hostel life this lesson speaks volumes, eat your own food (aka don't take someone else's without asking), be polite to your room-mates and have some consideration for fellow travellers.

“Clean your room!”

In a dorm room, it is vital that people keep their stuff nice neat and tidy. I can't tell you how many times I've been called to a room with people thinking there are no beds free or thinking they've lost something when in reality there were plenty of beds available or their lost item was just at the bottom of a large pile of mixed clothes and beer bottles. As a grown up sharing rooms with other grown ups it's polite to keep a clean room.

“Brush your teeth”

It's all fun and games being away from home (possibly for the first time) and being able to have ice-cream and chocolate for breaky if you want, but at the end of the day personal hygiene does need to be seen to. Have a shower once a day, brush your teeth at least once (preferably twice) a day and your fellow travellers will appreciate it!!!

“Share your toys”

I'm not saying pass your Ipod around, but if you've got something shareable (a phone charger or some cooking oil etc.) then sharing is caring. It's nice when people share something that others have lost or forgotten. Share some love for your fellow backpackers!

“Never kiss on the first date”

I know we all follow this rule very strictly... ok maybe not! But the idea is fairly good. If you're going to enjoy some in-room entertainment it is generally nice to know your friends first name and try to keep some decorum if you're in a dorm room.

My parents taught me a lot over the years, I'm certain they thought they were just being good parents – little did they know those little lessons would come into play every single day of my life living and working in hostels!!!

Just goes to show you really should listen to your parents!!

For parents with kids currently travelling, here's some advice for parents of backpackers!

About the Author: Chantelle works at Nomads Noosa backpackers hostel and always listens to her parents!!!

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