Anyone that has teenagers knows that traveling with teens can be an extremely unpleasant experience if you don’t plan ahead. If tweens don’t want to do something, it’s not going to get done. That’s why I am sharing these family vacation tips to about traveling with teens! Trust me you will thank me later!
As a mom of older kids, it can be really hard to find articles about family vacations and traveling with older kids. There are tons of articles about traveling with infants and toddlers, but where is the survival guide to teens? Well, here’s my version of it. We recently took a 20 hour road trip from Indiana to Minnesota, and all of us survived. In fact it was actually a really pleasant road trip!
Making your vacation run smoothly is all about letting them feel like they have some control over the trip. The sure fire way to attitude and all out mutiny, is to offer no flexibility and no options during your vacation. Would you want to be held prisoner during a vacation, even if it was on white sandy beaches?
If you want to avoid teenage mutiny make sure to follow these simple tips to travel with your teens next trip you plan!
5 Tips for Traveling with Teens and Tweens
Get them involved in the planning process: One of the keys to smooth traveling is getting them involved in the process. Make sure they have some input on what will be seen during the trip. Get them involved on how the car will be arranged, or other details that won’t unhinge your trip.
Having a more democratic travel process will help them feel more involved, and make them feel less like they are just “along for the ride.”
Challenge their packing skills: Teens are at the stage where they feel they need to take everything and the kitchen sink with them on a three day trip. To avoid hormonal rages and teenage outbursts, teach them some basic packing tips. Then challenge their packing skills
Make it a challenge! Give them a bag that will fit in the car/airplane/etc, and see if they can pack better than you can. (Teens always love showing their parents up) Give them their bag , and let them know as long as they can fit everything in that bag they can take it, otherwise it stays. This gives them control over what they are taking plus teaches responsibility. (One trip missing out because they forgot to pack something essential will make them more efficient packers next time).
Give them choices: Just like traveling with toddlers, make sure to give your teens lots of choices. If you offer them the option of going with you on excursions or hanging at the pool or in the hotel room, they are more likely to go without griping when you have whole family events planned. It’s all about giving them the sense of freedom to choose.
Pick your battles: This is probably one of the most important tips. If listening to Taylor Swift all the way to your vacation destination is what makes our teen happy. Make a compromise! Let your child be in control of the tunes for a specified amount of the trip. Listening to Taylor hasn’t proved fatal to anyone, or at least that I am aware of. Giving in for those few hours will show your teen that you care about how they enjoy the trip there.
Have fun: We all know the cliché that teens don’t want to be seen dead with their parents, but with all the fun you have planned you just might be surprised to see your teen doesn’t mind hanging out with you. Remember to have fun, and let your hair down. Sometimes it’s fun to be silly and like you were when you were a fun loving teen. Your kids just might enjoy seeing the kid in you!
What is your favorite tips for traveling with teens?
If you liked this parenting post, make sure to check these posts out too:
- Keeping Your Teen Driver Safe
- Parenting a Child with ADHD
- Hi, Mom! I Think I am Gay!
- Amish Style Vacations
Rachel says
Thanks for the tips, Ashley! There is definitely a shortage of teen traveling ideas! With three teens heading to Atlanta with me this month, some of these ideas will be lifesavers!
Crunchy Frugalista says
Rachel, it must be exciting to be heading to Atlanta! That is a long car ride! Hope these tips work out for you!
Sandy a la Mode says
i will so need to save this for when my lil guy grows up!!
xo,
Sandy
Sandy a la Mode
Crunchy Frugalista says
Bookmarks are a beautiful thing, Sandy!
Pam says
There are lots of tips for traveling with kids but not so much with teens and they are usually harder to pacify. Thanks for sharing.
Crunchy Frugalista says
Oh yes, Pam, they can be! They have more moods than the Exorcist ;).
OurFamilyWorld says
These are great tips! Technically, I have a few years to go before my son is a teen, but he already acts like one!
Crunchy Frugalista says
Watch out Olga! It sneaks up on you!
Debi@ The Spring Mount 6 Pack says
I love the tips. Traveling with teens is so hard. A lot of fun, but hard. At least mine… they are so moody!
Crunchy Frugalista says
My eldest was REALLY moody when she first became a teen. We would tell her she wasn’t allowed to hold us all hostage ;). She mellowed out after a while.
SHELLEY R ZUREK says
THe best tip I have found for traveling with teens is to be going to a place where they want to go. They are excited and want to get there.
Crunchy Frugalista says
Shelley, that is a great tip too! Yeah, if they are stoked to go it sure does help!
Teresa F, says
Great Tips! I don’t miss the long trips that we have taken when we moved. They can really try your nerves with all the complaining. This tips would have come in handy!
Crunchy Frugalista says
Glad to see you back online T! It means that you survived the move!
Grace Hodgin says
All very good advice and I really like the tip of letting them help in the planning. That seems that would have really make it a ‘together’ plan.
Crunchy Frugalista says
With everyone planning, every has a say. As the parents, we have the ultimate say, but our kids seem to enjoy helping plan the trip.
Dawn says
My daughter is a teen and you are definitely right. Getting them involved in decision making really makes the difference. She is a single child and we almost always let her bring a friend, and we let them choose some activities, too. These activities generally consist of shopping and going to the teen clubs, lol.
Dawn
Crunchy Frugalista says
Dawn, with three kids we don’t bring friends, but I know my kids would love to have that option. So glad to hear your teen gets some choices too!
Jenna Wood says
I remember, when we used to fly back East, I would always try to fit my entire room in my suitcase- Packing tips and education can really avoid fights!
mel says
This will come in so useful. What great tips. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah says
pick your battles… now there is one that I try so hard to focus on! It is especially important when you are traveling!
Diane Roark says
Ashley,
I love your tips. I have 5 kids between 13, 16, 2/18 and a 23 year old. I need this. I shared several of your posts including this one on my 100 Summer Vacation Ideas.
Blessings and have a great week,
Diane Roark