July 24, 2004. (Scottsdale, AZ) -- Hitting the
highway or the skyway with your teenagers can be well…..multifaceted! But
embrace the opportunity (they’ll be gone before you know it !) and enjoy!
Familytravel.com Editor Lynn O’Rourke Hayes offers these tips for making
the most of a holiday with your teens.
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Give your teen some credit! I often hear people talk
about traveling with teens and they assume young travelers cannot get along
without a Play Station or headphones. My sister-in-law and I took our teens
to London and Paris. The four were a delight. They were eager to learn
and explore and happily (for the most part) trekked from museum to museum,
listened to music and were eager to try new foods. Encourage them to explore!
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Include them in the planning. You’ll all have more
fun if they are part of the process. Discuss destinations, activities,
and budgets. Encourage them to help by doing Internet research.
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Consider a wilderness trip where you will have a
chance to spend quality time without the interference of telephones, television
or video games. My teen-age sons and I recently spent five days on Idaho’s
Salmon River with Salmon River Rafting (www.salmonrafting.com) where we
kayaked through rapids, slept under the stars and enjoyed each other’s
company.
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Encourage the young traveler to be self-sufficient
en route. Suggest bringing snacks, books, music or whatever might be important.
Provide your teen with their own itinerary and perhaps even their own travel
documents. Discuss what to wear while traveling for comfort and appropriateness.
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Once you’ve arrived at your destination agree on
how much freedom your teen will have to explore the area on his or her
own. Discuss the need for safety and communication in your new locale.
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Sleep! If you are sharing a room with your teens
don’t expect to change their sleeping habits while on holiday. My teen
sons are night owls used to watching late night movies. My solution: ear
plugs.
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Look for hotels, lodges or ranches that have special
programs for teens. Many spas now include options for young clients.
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Include friends or relatives. There are times when
it works for everyone to include someone your teen’s age in your travels.
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Expend energy. Plan lots of activity to use up their
excess energy. Learn a new sport, partake in an old favorite and get out
and explore the new destination.
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Talk with each other. Share ideas. Compare notes.
Make memories!
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