Dear Gloria

My son, who’s currently taking an English degree. has decided he wants to drop out of university and go travelling around the world. I’m OK with that, but my husband is furious because he’s worried about our son’s future without a degree. Samantha, Liverpool He will always hold you both accountable if he is miserable during the rest of his degree and it will cause dissension within the family. Hard though it is, at some point you have to let your children make their own decisions – and, possibly, mistakes. As a parent, it is your duty to love your children unconditionally and be there for them, no matter what. A few years ago, I would have agreed with your husband and really encouraged uni. But having watched one grandson sidetrack uni and live in places like Singapore,

Japan and South Korea, I really see the advantages he’s had through travel. He’s now back, much wiser and working in a media company and very happy to be home.