When I was 17 a friend of mine talked about getting me a windsurfing teaching job at a hotel in Malaysia where he lived (I was insane about windsurfing). I told my Dad and he said he was right behind me and he'd help me get started, he said he wished he'd had that sort of opportunity when he was young.

It may have been clever psychology because I didn't go, instead I finished my A level's and went to university. I wonder if I'd have gone if he'd said he was against it.

I have no experience of your plight, but I suspect slow and steady will win the race. Take off for the whole day, take weekend trips to friends and family, show her you're responsible and capable.

Out of interest, what does your Dad say about this? Is he for or against it?