Traveling with teens? Here are five ideas to consider:
1. Plan together. Teens are developing adults, and most want to be included in choosing a destination or planning activities. When possible, offer your teen a portion of the trip to research or manage on his or her own.
Contact: www.Beaches.com; www.Princess.com
2. Compromise, compromise. At different life stages, you and your teens are likely to have varied interests. Talk through the options for transportation, dining, activities and lodging. Define the sticking points and agree to disagree on some items. Tours designed to appeal to adults and teens may provide built-in solutions. Contact: www.Backroads.com; www.TauckBridges.com
3. Sleep. While you and other family members or fellow travelers might want to be first in line on the chair lift, at the museum or for the city tour, remember that if your teen is a fan of sleeping in and staying up late at home, the habit is not likely to disappear on the road. Be realistic. Talk it through. And proceed accordingly. Contact: www.Airbnb.com; www.Vacatia.com; www.ResidenceInns.com
4. Teens and tech. It’s difficult to engage in conversation or share an experience when competing with a phone or tablet. Let your teen know how much you and other family members, especially grandparents, value the time together. While some families may be able to ban technology completely, most will seek a workable solution. The cost of connecting to Wi-Fi on cruise ships and some resorts may factor into your plan. Discuss defining tech-free zones such as dining tables, beach chairs or tour lectures.
