As every parent to a teenager knows, teens are notoriously difficult to please. While they might be happy glued to their smartphones and computers, as parents, we want to make the most of family time, creating those fond memories together that last forever before they fly the nest.
And, family holidays are a big part of this. While travelling with small children is never easy, when they get older it can be just as tricky as you try to coax a smile out of your teen, who is sulking over the devastating lack of Wi-Fi at your resort and the total embarrassment of being seen with their parents.
But it doesn’t have to be like that. With some clever planning, you can head off to your next family holiday fairly safe in the knowledge it will be filled with fun, smiles and good times to cherish. I’ve found that the key with teenagers is to treat them like the young adults they are and make sure they don’t feel that what they see and do is being dictated to them. Here are just a few destination and activity ideas to make sure your teen is happy on holiday:
A City Break in New York
Mention a trip to New York to any teenager and they will jump at the chance to spend a week with their parents. City breaks have the all-important ‘cool factor’ for teens that will provide the perfect material for telling post summer stories to their friends. There’s also no shortage of things to do in the City That Never Sleeps, whether it’s sightseeing, shopping, museums or even just a family trip to the cinema.
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Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86931652@N00/523858669/
Independence in a Villa
Hotels might be a relaxing option for us because we don’t need to worry about cooking dinner and cleaning up. But, for teenagers, sharing a room with their parents is anything but a treat. Booking a private villa is a great way to keep them happy and allow them the privacy and independence they crave while still keeping the family together in a home away from home.
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Action Adventures in Morocco
While it might be hard to get them out of bed in the morning, once a teenager is finally up and about, they have bags of energy. An action adventure holiday is a great way to ensure a good time is had without the dreaded cries of, “I’m bored!”
One key thing to remember is that you have the whole family to think about and so you mustn’t just cater to one person’s needs. To overcome this, book a holiday that is flexible with more than just one thing on offer.
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Morocco was a great choice for our family, with something for everyone. There’s history and culture, loads to see and explore and, to top it off, our kids loved trying water sports! Explora Morocco, for example, offers surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing lessons in Essaouira, Morocco. They also provide horseback riding and sand dune quad biking.
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This post was written by Katie, a travel-loving blogger from Yorkshire who loves to take her family on adventures to new places near and far. She recommends that before you book the standard two-week package deal for you next holiday, have a think about what your teenager is into and find a holiday that will make everyone happy. Your teen will appreciate the fact you’ve taken their interests and views into account and you will be able to relax in the knowledge your holiday will suit your whole family.
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