| Teenagers are adults-in-training. They crave | | | | Recreational opportunities may include arcades, |
| independence, but they still require guidelines. | | | | bungee trampolines, and outdoor movie theaters. |
| Vacation planning can be a daunting task for any | | | | Your teens can associate with other teens and |
| parent of adolescents. | | | | participate in the family vacation - while retaining a |
| Make your job easier - involve your teenagers in the | | | | degree of independence and freedom. Try to locate |
| planning process. Arrange a family brainstorming | | | | a cruiseline that provides walkie-talkies so that you |
| session and decide on a holiday that everyone will | | | | can keep in touch. |
| enjoy. | | | | If you decide on a land-based holiday, give your |
| A vacation plan should take into consideration each | | | | teenager(s) a feeling of autonomy, space, and |
| teen's likes and dislikes. A teenager who participates | | | | privacy: consider reserving adjoining hotel rooms |
| in science fairs may enjoy touring scientific exhibits. A | | | | instead of a family suite. Don't get frustrated if your |
| history buff will enjoy museums. A budding musician | | | | teens want to sleep in! Instead, make use of the |
| might like a tour of Graceland. Ask for specific | | | | time to go shopping, swimming, or for a walking tour |
| feedback. Teenagers sway from requiring guidelines | | | | of the neighborhood. |
| and curfews to believing that they know everything - | | | | Most teens nowadays are very internet savvy. Don't |
| and insisting on doing everything their own way. | | | | isolate them from their friends. Allow them to remain |
| Here is a partial list of activities that you might want | | | | in contact via cyber cafes, hotel guest-computer |
| to use as a springboard for your initial | | | | systems, or laptop computers. If they must leave |
| vacation-brainstorming session: | | | | the hotel to access a computer at a cyber cafe, |
| * Laser tag | | | | insist on a buddy system. Teenagers should never |
| * Paint ball | | | | venture out alone. |
| * Arcades | | | | Not the hotel-room type? Family camps are like |
| * Amusement parks | | | | traditional summer camps for kids - but they have |
| * Theme parks | | | | activities for the entire family. Some operate all |
| * Skiing | | | | summer. Others provide functions on selected |
| * Snowboarding | | | | weekends throughout the year. |
| * Snowmobiling | | | | Some teens will feel more comfortable if they are |
| * ATVing | | | | permitted to invite a friend. Of course, there will be |
| * Skateboard parks | | | | budgetary concerns involved with such a holiday. |
| * Adventure tours | | | | Invite the other teen's parents to pay for their teen's |
| * Dude ranch vacations | | | | expenses. |
| * All-inclusive family resorts | | | | Older teens who insist on a vacation by themselves |
| * Horseback riding | | | | might enjoy a backpacking/biking escape - travelling |
| * Mountain biking | | | | with a friend and staying at hostels along the way. |
| * Whitewater rafting | | | | Hostelling is very popular in Europe, and what better |
| * Hot air ballooning | | | | way is there to experience a country than by |
| * Kayaking | | | | bicycling through its countryside? Another activity an |
| * Scuba experience | | | | older teen might enjoy is a language immersion |
| * Water skiing | | | | program abroad. |
| * Jet skiing | | | | When the vacation has finally been arranged, the |
| * Houseboating | | | | rooms have been reserved, and you are ready to |
| * Factory tours | | | | pack, prepare a list of necessary clothing and |
| * Farm vacations | | | | accessories - but let your teens pack their own |
| * Mountaineering and hiking | | | | suitcases. |
| Family cruises are frequently cost-effective. | | | | Utilize your vacation as a time to reconnect with your |
| Everything is included - and parents can relax knowing | | | | teenagers - both during the planning phase and the |
| that their teens are involved in nearby activities. | | | | actual vacation itself. |
| Some cruiselines even sponsor special youth clubs. | | | | |