10 Tips for Parents when Vacationing with Teens

We all know how stressful it is planning a vacation and to add to that you have a teenager that won't cooperate at all. Here are ten tips I've came up with that will hopefully take some of the stress away and let you have a good vacation.

1. Let your teenager have some input on the vacation. Pick different travel spots to go to and sit down and decide with your teen where you will go. Let your teen plan some of the things you do. Your teen will enjoy it more knowing they helped out with the planning. After all, it's their vacation too.

2. Plan where you go carefully. You don't want to go somewhere and your teen be unhappy. We all know how miserable teens can be. Go somewhere that he/she will be able to be around people their own age. Go somewhere that has places for teens to go when you want to relax.

3. Set the rules before you leave home. Teens like to push buttons, so make sure all rules and limits are clear before you even get to the car. If need be, make a list of these rules and have them in the car. If the family is somewhere and the teen does something they know is against the rules, casually remind them that this was already discussed at home and he/she knows the rules.

4. Let the teen be responsible for their own things. A little responsibility never hurt anybody. Sit down with your teen and make a list together of everything he/she will need. Then let him/her go and pack it. Make sure to double check a little bit and make sure he/she has forgotten anything important.

5. Let the teen be responsible for their own money. Give your teen a daily allowance while on vacation and stick to it. That will teach them responsibility as well as how to budget their money. Let them buy the food they want and the souvenirs they want. It'll also give him/her a sense of freedom.

6. Let your teen bring a friend. If it is in the budget, allow your teen to bring a friend so they'll have company. If the teen wants to wander around and explore, you'll feel better knowing he/she isn't by their self. Having a friend there will also give the teen a little more to do when the day is over instead of just sitting in a hotel room.

7. Allow your teen to go out on his/her own. Give your teen a break and allow him/her to go and make new friends. It'll give you a chance to relax and it will give your teen a bit more fun. Let him/her go to the local mall or a local arcade. Make compromises.

8. Book a different hotel room for your teen. Prove to your teen you trust him/her. If it's in your budget, go ahead and book them their own room. It'll be less cramped and give you your alone time as well. If not that, get an adjoining room and let them have the space after all day family time.

9. Let your teen bring his/her cell phone, etc. Let your teen bring the latest technology. Whether it be their cell phone or their Ipod. Those gadgets will definitely come in handy on the long drive or plane ride. Let them keep in contact with their friends or keep up on the latest music.

10. Let your teen do some of the driving. If you're going to be driving awhile and your teen is the right age, let him/her take over the wheel for awhile. It'll be a fun experience for both of you. Let him/her know they're doing a good job. It'll help keep good spirits on a long car ride.

We were all teenagers once. We remember how hard it was to leave our friends or miss our favorite shows. Just include your teen and make him/her feel more a part of what's going on and you'll have a great vacation with a lot of memories.