Travelling with teenagers can seem challenging at times. Gone are the days when your child’s eyes lit up at the sight of a water slide, when a day building sandcastles was a day well spent, when even a ferry journey seemed like a magical voyage. But fear not! Having a great holiday with teens in tow is still perfectly possible, you just have to go about it a little differently. Of course, no two teenagers are the same, but in our experience taking these few steps can make all the difference.
Planning Together
At that stage of life where they’re just discovering a sense of independence, family holidays can feel like a step backwards for teens. Give them back a sense of control by getting them involved in the planning process. For example, if you’re staying at one of our West Coast campsites and you’re interested in exploring the islands in the area, you might challenge them to do some research into where is best to visit and how to get there. Not only will capitalising on their internet research skills save you time, but by being included from the beginning your kids will feel like the holiday is something they’re actively involved in rather than something they’re being ‘taken on’ against their will.
Compromise
That being said, you have to remember that their ideal day out might not correspond with yours. Your children will be much more likely to indulge your interests when they know that there will also be a few days of the holiday for the things they really want to do. For example, you might dedicate one day to surfing lessons on the Atlantic and the next to seeking out fresh produce at the local market. Stay open-minded and you might even find that their suggestions are more fun than you imagined… and vice versa.
Keep it Social
For teens with an active social life back home, being torn from their group of friends might seem like the worst thing about going away from a week. Choosing a holiday destination with other families of the same age will allow your teen to satisfy their need for sociability. At Siblu we’re pleased to now offer Teens' Clubs on many of our parks where 12-15 year old’s can get involved with sports, arts and evening fun with their peers from all over the world. Don’t be surprised if by the end of the week they’re inseparable from their new gang of international friends… Maybe they’ll even be able to reconnect again next summer?
Independence
The advantage of staying in a Siblu village is that kids of all ages have a certain amount of freedom. For teens this is particularly vital: they can explore to their heart’s content in the safety of the campsite. Choosing a holiday village near a bigger city can also be good for older teens who want to feel like they’re in a happening location: for example, Le Lac de Rêves which is less than 20 minutes’ drive from the vibrant city of Montpellier.
Make the Most of It!
So don’t let the challenges of travelling with teens put you off! It might not seem it but these years together are just as precious as those when they were younger. Relish the chance to explore places that wouldn’t have been accessible when they were still in nappies and don’t forget that it won’t be long before they’re off on their own adventures.