Phil and Roy,
I was 9, and had 4 years of being an independent little sod under my belt - the ''round trip'' to the Lickeys was just another part of the learning process that we all have in our different natures and circumstances....like Phil, on balance I regret nothing, but for myself, I would have been glad to have had different people around, some of the time.
Just keep to rule 1, don't drink if you drive or can't/won't buy your own....and and a few extra.