Vacationing With Teens

Let's face it, family vacations is not on your teen's top ten list of "The Kewlest Things To Do". Besides missing their friends, they have to spend the entire week with YOU. They will get bored, they will get moody, and it will be all your fault ;-)

Looking at it from our perspective, who wants to spend their VACATION, ie. the time away from the daily grind of work, household chores, etc., with a teenager who is apt to become miserable?

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your family vacation, so everyone has an enjoyable time.

Purchase a cd player with headphones for your teen.
Teens love to sit, think, & listen to their own music. This is a boredom buster for them, plus it stops the 'Can we change the radio station?' conflict you always deal with in car rides. Extra batteries are impairitive.

Allow them to help with the planning.
The trick here is to get them something specific to do. Examples would be the grocery list of snacks for the car, make the interactive maps Online, in charge of all candid camera shots, etc.

Let them bring a friend.
Peers are a terrible thing to waste, so if it is in your budget, bring one!

Dedicate one day to things they want to do. Is there a theme park near where you will be camping? Does the cruise ship have a teen gathering place? If your visiting family in another state, what attractions do they have in that area?

Allow them to be miserable.
There is no way to MAKE someone happy. If your teen chooses to be unhappy about and during your vacation, allow it. Getting into a power struggle over their frown is just going to pull you down, and possibly everyone else too. When all is said and done, it is your teen's choice whether or not to be happy. We always hope they make the right choices, but don't ruin your vacation over their moods.