Avoid Mutiny...and other tips for traveling with teens

by...Guest Blogger Joy
If you have a teen in your family, you know how difficult it can be to engage them during the family vacation. If the vacation doesn’t include something to do with an electronic device, many teens just don’t see the point.  That said teenagers are enthusiastic travelers. We just have to encourage that enthusiasm! 

A friend of mine recently went on a Western Caribbean honeymoon cruise with her new blended family of 5 teens ages 13 to 19.  In order to keep the teens from mutiny with no reception for phones or tablets ,she and her new spouse allowed them to “quickly check your email.”  Note that my friend didn’t check to see if smartphones would be active before the trip and she didn't know about the Wi-Fi fees. She was dismayed that everything with the teens was a tug of war, even a meal, on the whole cruise, especially since drinking bottled water, soda and specialty coffees were not free.  It seemed that nothing the cruise line provided was good enough for the teens.  When they went to settle their bill she and her hubby almost passed out. 

An “it’s okay to check your email, oh go ahead and have a soda” cost them several thousand dollars as the teens, all 5, had checked their emails and social media several times and drank an inordinate amount of caffeinated liquids.  At that moment she regretted the trip! And … nevertheless they are grounded through college!  She hadn’t used a travel agent who would have consulted with she and her family and found the ship with the most epic teen program.

Here's our TOP 12 Ways to Vacation with a Teen

Before you leave:

1. Make sure your teen is involved in the planning process.  They'll feel part of the process and have some ownership. 

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1. Ask them if they could go anywhere in the world where would they go (repeat with the whole family.) You will be surprised what you hear.  Go from there and look at what type of venue is closest to that desire!
   
   
2. Perhaps the most important thing is to do is to do your homework.  Ask your travel agent about the resort or cruise line's teen program and exactly what that program involves.  Each program is different in what they offer and how intensive it is.  Examples are teen spas and teen only excursions where the teens are with people they don't have to roll their eyes with (ie: family)- LOL. 
   
   
3. Then, set some time aside to have you and your teen talk to your travel agent.  This gives you both a chance to communicate your wishes and make some compromises.  For example, if your teen wants to go on an adventure vacation and you want the beach be sure there are action activities very close to your beach location – zip lining, wind sailing. Don’t forget that this country has some incredible national parks which have lessons such as kayaking, fishing, hiking, caving, cycling or rock climbing - many with other teens only. 
   

You are on vacation and here are our tips:

1. Give your teen a budget for mementoes etc.   Allow her/him to keep what they do not spend.
   
   
2. Give your teen some responsibilities not just taking care of their siblings. Ask them what they would like to help with.  Maybe let them keep track of the money for the attractions you will be visiting.
   
   
3. If your teen wants adventure and the rest of the family wants the beach staying close to the middle of town and the local attractions allows the teen some flexibility when there is tension between the two of you.
   
   
4. Have snacks that teens like - ask them what you should take for them.  A teen’s stomach is the way to the teen’s heart!
   
   
5. Be willing to be flexible.  If a teen wants to sleep in let them.  Go have breakfast, go to the spa, go swimming.  Maybe sleeping in a couple of days and having a huge breakfast at noon is a teen’s vacation. You go ahead with your plans and give them boundaries and just go. Teens need their own downtime and space just like we do. Keeping the peace is important so having an extra dessert or going to an extra movie instead of visiting another museum or church is a great tradeoff for you and the teen. 
   
   
6. If the budget allows try and let your teen have their own room. One they don’t share with another family member.  Teens really value their privacy. If you can stretch your budget further, allow them to bring a friend (but, make sure you talk with your travel agent about the necessary travel forms to avoid issues).
   
   
7. Give your teen an adult adventure with you - put their siblings with a sitter and order pizza –go to a 5 star restaurant, a Broadway show, a shopping spree, horseback riding on the sand, a cooking class– let them decide but don’t tell them which one you will choose. They will be adults soon.  Let them feel like that.  Tell them when you are planning to pack a fancy outfit and it will be a surprise for them.
   
   
8. OOOPs I had an 11th hour thought – Encourage your teen and most of all – let her/him know that you really want their opinion and want them to go and oh by-the-way if you really want their opinion be sure to weigh it in.

A little planning, a little flexibility, a lot of encouragement and a heavy dose of communication at the beginning of your preparation for vacation should help the whole family vacation not only progress smoothly, but successfully.