The latest bombings in London, and yesterday's blasts at a popular Egyptian resort, have made already jittery Kiwi parents more worried about their children's travel plans.
Those spoken to by the Herald on Sunday say they are fighting the urge to ask their children to stay in New Zealand or
return home.
Aucklander Kathryn Lindsay, whose 31-year-old daughter Shannon has been in London for three years, said she wanted to tell her to come home. "But I've thought about it, and it's her decision."
Helen Bryant, who lives in Tauranga, worries about her 28-year-old son Greg in London but respects his choice to stay there. "He's an adult and he has to make those decisions," she said. "And why let the terrorists win?"
Hamilton father Chris Saville thinks the statistical odds of his daughter Heather, 27, being injured or killed in a bomb blast in London are stacked in her favour.
"The sheer number of people living in London and the three million people who use the city's underground train system every day provide some comfort. If you start looking at the statistics, you can feel a bit easier."
But statistics do not ease the fears of Auckland mother Emma Macleod, whose 15-year-old daughter Katy is due to visit Britain next month.
"After the first bombing I was concerned, but told myself it would be fine, but after the second one, I'm ... thinking about talking to her father and suggesting that they delay [the trip] or not go at all."
Six London-based expats spoken to by the Herald on Sunday felt unnerved by the second round of explosions, but determined not to let terrorism change their travel plans.
Nevertheless, some said the temptation to return home was getting stronger. "Going back to New Zealand is looking mighty good," said Shannon Lindsay.
"These attacks - another round - it gives you a bit more pause for thought and a few more jitters."
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
