How to Enjoy a Family Vacation With a Teen

Teenagers can test even the most patient of parents. Moodiness, privacy issues and growing independence are frustrating to all. But take away computers, MP3 players and telephones of any variety, and spending time with them can become really unpleasant. What is a parent to do when summer arrives and it's time to plan a vacation? Don't despair, for there are ways to enjoy the family vacation with your teen.

Instructions

1. Give him his space, where feasible. When considering your accommodations, take into consideration that your teen needs his space, which to him equals privacy. If your budge allows, try renting a house where there are places for alone time, or if staying at a hotel, try to book a suite or adjoining rooms.

2. Involve your teen in planning. While ultimately it should be you who decides where you spend one of your two annual weeks away from work, getting input from your teenager is a great idea to make her feel included--and to learn more about her. The more you listen to her ideas, the more likely she'll be to talk about her likes and dislikes. It also gives you a chance to spend time with her while you review guidebooks and online information.

3. Assign him some responsibility. If you make your teenager responsible for one aspect of your trip, he'll seize the opportunity to accomplish his task with finesse. Continue to include your teen in the vacation planning by asking him to be the trip photographer or navigator.

4. Realize the changing needs of your family when you book your vacation. Your child is a teen now, which means she'll no longer be content with a quiet vacation spot where you spend hours relaxing or playing games after dinner. It's innate for a teen to want to go out day and night and do "stuff." Remember this and search for a location that offers a lot of variety and an appropriate night life.

5. Set your spending limits. The vacation has already cost you an arm and a leg, so it's essential to set monetary parameters for your teen before your step outside the house. He may or may not be old enough for a job, but if you're going to supplement his spending money, make the budget before you go and stick to it.

6. Allow for sleeping in. Even if you think that this is a waste of vacation, you need to remember that one of a teenager's favorite activities is slumber. Take advantage of it. Use this time to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee on a balcony or to get an additional nine holes in before the day officially starts. You and your teen will be much happier, and sleeping in gives her the extra rest she needs and eliminates tension.

7. Keep culinary offerings simple. You may want to sample every bit of the local cuisine, but chances are pretty good that your teen won't want to try anything new. Make peace with this fact and plan on visiting a couple of fast-food joints during your stay.

8. Emancipate your teen, within limits. Your teen will want to get away from you and explore her vacation spot on his own. This is a terrifying prospect, but if he can do this in a confined area, such as an aquarium, and agree to meet at a certain spot at a certain time, you'll both be satisfied.

Tips & Warnings

• When all else fails, visit a travel agent who is well-versed in "teen speak." She will know the best spots for a successful time away with your teen.

• Accept that your teen wants to stay connected to home. Offer a phone card or visit an Internet café so that he can keep in touch with the latest happenings with his friends.

• Buy a journal for your teen to write down all the details of her trip. If she has artistic ability, ask her to sketch the places you go and the people you meet.

Resources

• Consumer-oriented travel website