At the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Florida. Copyright Gretta Schifano
This post is written by my 17 year-old daughter Izzy. I’ve written an article of advice from parents of teenagers on travel with teens. My daughter has consulted various friends and relations to do the same thing from a teenager’s perspective:
‘What do you want most when you’re on a family holiday?’ Asking this around at school, I am not surprised that the resounding answer is ‘Wi-Fi’, closely followed by ‘a comfy bed’ and ‘good chips’. Whilst mum was writing her post about travelling with teens, we decided it would be a good idea to give a teen’s perspective.
Choice
Annabel, 17: ‘Don’t go on holiday to the middle of nowhere, let the teens have some independence.’
Emily, 19: ‘Make sure to get them involved in choosing the type of holiday or destination.’
Bronte, 17: ‘Maybe go to an all-inclusive resort which would give kids more freedom so they don’t have to be dependent on their parents all the time.’
I know that personally, if I were forced on holiday somewhere I would not be happy, and then would ruin the trip for everyone else because I would be bored/angry/annoyed. This year we went to Emilia-Romagna and Mum and Dad originally wanted to drive there (mainly so we could bring wine and cheese back home). I said that I would rather not go, if it meant having to endure a 20+ hour car journey with my brother. Mum booked flights for us all almost as soon as I said this.
Essie, 19: ‘Make sure they want to go and make sure the kids know exactly what type of holiday it is.’
Parents should make it clear that the teen doesn’t have to come. Remember that teens can stay home alone, with a friend or perhaps a nice aunt. Also, remember that you are unlikely to have many family holidays left. For this reason, I think parents are (or at least they should be) much more open to compromise the older you get.
Comfort
Even though this isn’t something you can have huge control over, a comfy bed and pillow makes all the difference when on holiday. Most people, especially teens, will be grumpy without a good night’s sleep, which is not at all what you want on a family holiday. I wish I could think of an adequate tip for this, but short of bringing a pillow and mattress topper on holiday with you I’m not sure there’s much you really can do.
Alex, 14: ‘Most of them don’t want to be drenched in sun cream in front of everyone.’
Essie, 19: ‘Make sure there is some sort of shop nearby, and always have something on you that the kid likes to eat e.g. chocolate in case they don’t like any of the food and they get really angry.’
Breakfast buffet at The Richmond Arms. Copyright Gretta Schifano
I do think it’s important to think about the sort of food your children/teens like and choose places accordingly. Italy is a place where you can never really go wrong, as there is a pizzeria on practically every corner. Also, if you’re going out for the day, whether it is to sightsee or to go to a theme park, think about when and where there will be food available: if in doubt, bring your own. When everyone will inevitably be hot and tired, hungry teenagers are not something you really want to bring in to the mix. We always take at least water with us, although Mum usually has an emergency supply of cereal bars, which can be an absolute godsend.
Technology
William, 14: ‘Make sure to take adapters for chargers and make sure there is Wi-Fi.’
Alex, 14: ‘You need to remind them to bring chargers. Have Wi-Fi.’
Never is a family with each other almost constantly except when on holiday, which is bound to lead to annoyances. When this happens, being able to leave the situation (albeit not physically) and go on social media seems to help matters enormously. Hand-in-hand with this comes Wi-Fi, which is of course crucial. Not least for finishing off that coursework that was due in three weeks before the end of term.
Entertainment
Max, 15: ‘Make sure everything is easily accessible, like shops and the town, for people who don’t like walking. Make sure it’s near some peak* beaches.’ (*Translation: good beaches)
Tasha, 15: ‘Go to a place that is busy and lively, not to a place where there isn’t anything going on.’
Tom, 17: ‘You can’t stay in one place for the whole time. You’ve got to get out of the hotel area. When you’re based somewhere don’t travel anywhere that takes more than an hour – don’t spend too much time travelling.’
Day trips are great, but a seven-hour round trip just to see a solitary Roman temple? Not so much. Closer to where you are staying, it’s great if the town is easily accessible, preferably a ten-minute walk or cycle. This means we can go off, get out of your hair, and do something that is independent.
Hannah, 17: ‘Make sure you have stuff to do in the day so we don’t get bored just hanging around.’
Bronte, 17: ‘Go somewhere that has facilities for teenagers and activities like water sports where they can do things with other people their own age so they don’t get bored and can spend time with other teens!’
Emily, 19: ‘Keep them busy with entertainment that’s age related like watersports.’
On the entertainment side of things, teens’ activity clubs are a total no-go for me, although I know some people love them. On the other hand, activities like water sports, archery or a spa treatment are fab. They break up the sightseeing and the family monotony, but are things you can do together and enjoy, as well as being new experiences that you’re unlikely to have at home. As Bronte said, these are also a great chance to meet new people and a chance to spend time with people who are your own age and like similar things to you.
My number one tip is to ask ahead about suitcase space. If your teen says they need a suitcase to themselves, that is what they will actually need, no matter if you optimistically thought you could share four-to-a-case. Don’t forget, if all else fails, you can always just go with this:
Martha, 20: ‘Don’t take them.’
Do you have any tips to add on travelling with teens, either as a teenager or as a parent?
Phoebe @ Lou Messugo says
October 5, 2015 at 12:13 pmWifi is definitely just about the most important thing in a teen’s life and vital for the sanity of all during a family holiday but….you can have TOO MUCH wifi (from a parent’s perspective!) This summer we went to Poland and it’s so advanced and well equipped with wifi that the 16 yo found hotspots everywhere. Yes EVERYWHERE, even in small rural villages. This meant he literally didn’t look up, ever, and spent the whole holiday online with his friends buried in his phone! From my pov this created tension. I think the place you stay in absolutely has to have wifi so the teen can catch up and join in with friends when “at home” but not walking around sightseeing and visiting, it was just too much! (I’m sure no teen would agree with me though!)
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Gretta Schifano says
October 5, 2015 at 9:05 pmWe’ve not had that situation, it sounds a bit too much. Ours are happy as long as they have wifi where we’re staying – they don’t seem to mind if it’s not available when we’re out and about. I’m sure they’d use it if it was available though!
Mummy's little blog says
September 1, 2015 at 9:22 pmWhat a great idea for a post, when I was a teenager all I cared for was sunshine and being by a pool, sadly it hasn’t changed except now I have a few nippers who distrAct me from sitting still lol.
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Sarah Christei says
August 25, 2015 at 8:31 pmSuch a great post Gretta, Wifi is so huge isn’t it, my two are miserable if they have no wifi and for them lots of sports facilities and they are happy. It is so important to consult them when booking and generally my two have some great ideas and travel wish lists that I would not have previously considered x
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Rebecca Smith says
August 19, 2015 at 9:12 amWhat a great idea for a post – always handy to hear tips from the horses mouths themselves
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Erica Price says
August 18, 2015 at 7:39 amWe are already needing to address some of these with our 8 year old. Good wi-fi is key and he complained about it on our holiday, even though I thought it wasn’t bad as hotel wi-fi went. Also we are having to choose places that suit him, but I’m happy to do that as he likes to do a bit of history and culture too, even if the pool is key. Thankfully he isn’t a fussy eater as that would really do my head in.
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Charly Dove says
August 17, 2015 at 8:04 amBrilliant post Gretta, I’m going to hunt it down again when POD is a teenager *shudders* great perspective 🙂
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Gretta Schifano says
August 17, 2015 at 9:03 amThank you – hope it helps!
Lucy Dorrington says
August 14, 2015 at 6:54 pmI think the WiFi would probably benefit the parents as well!
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Gretta Schifano says
August 14, 2015 at 7:47 pmI agree – definitely!
BluebearWood says
August 13, 2015 at 9:25 pmOh this is a great post. I always talk to my girls about where we’re going etc and get them involved. They chose a fantastic villa for my last holiday.
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Emma says
August 13, 2015 at 7:42 pmI really enjoy travelling with my children now they are older.
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NInjacat says
August 12, 2015 at 1:54 pmExcellant post ! I try to plan things with the teen in mind
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Jen aka Muminthemadhouse says
August 12, 2015 at 12:25 pmFab tips there, I think you need to do one about travelling with sullen tweens!
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Gretta Schifano says
August 12, 2015 at 3:24 pmGood idea, maybe I’ll tackle that one next!
Rachel says
August 12, 2015 at 11:10 amI think you have come up with some great tips and some I could use when travelling with the mister x
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Gretta Schifano says
August 12, 2015 at 3:24 pmGlad to help!
Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com says
August 11, 2015 at 7:05 pmI’m glad I’ve found out what ‘peak’ means! Really interesting post. Perhaps the next should be about how teens can help keep their parents happy while on holidays? 😉
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Gretta Schifano says
August 11, 2015 at 8:05 pmGood idea, I’ll think about that one!
Gemma says
August 11, 2015 at 6:29 pmGreat post! Some great tips, I agree with the wifi 🙂
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Hannah Wood (staveley) says
August 11, 2015 at 6:19 pmSome good tips that will come in handy when my kids are older.
Fritha says
August 11, 2015 at 6:01 pmsome really good points, agree on not being in the middle of no-where I hated that as a teen going on holiday with my parents (and no wifi back then!) x
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Sarah Bailey says
August 11, 2015 at 5:09 pmWhat a great post – love the answers they give – I have to admit I probably still want some of the same things.
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Stephen - BeautykingUK says
August 11, 2015 at 3:22 pmGreat tips, I always find noise reducing earphones brilliant 😉
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Gretta Schifano says
August 11, 2015 at 4:52 pmNow that’s a good idea!
Sarah Ebner says
August 11, 2015 at 2:45 pmExcellent advice, but I’m hoping to ignore the last tip (on not taking them) for a while yet. Wi fi is vital, I know – mine have told me this too – but we haven’t yet had a suitcase conversation. That was v interesting for me. Maybe soon…
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Gretta Schifano says
August 11, 2015 at 4:53 pmOh yes, the suitcase is paramount!
Sonia says
August 11, 2015 at 1:32 pmOh yes I’d never take a teen anywhere without wifi nowadays! That would be hell on earth, us Mums need a holiday too 😉
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Gretta Schifano says
August 11, 2015 at 4:53 pmWe do, we do!
mellissa williams says
August 11, 2015 at 9:49 amI think my son would say the same thing – good wi-fi and good chips 🙂 (had to laugh at the last one)
Now he is 18, we are letting him stay at home if he wants to, but I think if we offered to take him to Orlando again he would be the first on the plane!
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Gretta Schifano says
August 11, 2015 at 10:31 amYes, it does depend on the holiday that’s on offer as to whether or not they’d like to come!
Crysta says
August 10, 2015 at 4:18 amGreat tips, Izzy, thanks for gathering them! We definitely find that even if there isn’t constant access to Wifi, being able to get to it conveniently a couple of times a day is super important for our teenagers. Along with space to make their own choices!
Jenny says
August 9, 2015 at 7:00 amGreat iz! Maybe no mosquitoes!?
Trish says
August 7, 2015 at 8:30 amThis is brilliant Gretta! And what did I say last time?! Free WiFi!
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Gretta Schifano says
August 7, 2015 at 12:02 pmThanks Trish – you’re very wise!