Allowing a
friend to come along on a family vacation is often a quandary parents of teens face. It is a tough decision that depends on who the friend is. Parents are obviously more comfortable with someone their teen has known for awhile rather than someone they don’t know as well. But this can be taken as a opportunity to get to know your teen’s friends. Either way, here are tips that will help you be comfortable with taking your teen’s friend on your family vacation:
- Set up a time to talk to the parents of the other teen. Talking to the parents of the other teen will allow them to decide whether or not their teen can go with your family. Talking to them first will make the situation more comfortable all the way around.
- Bring the other teen in on family discussions about the vacation. Discussions on where you will be going and what everyone is allowed to do should involve all members of the vacation party.
- Be clear with your teen’s friend and his/her family about what is expected in funds, packing, behavior, etc.
- Exchange contact information with the other family. Give them an itinerary so that they will be able to contact you in case of an emergency and vice-versa.
