Traveling with teens: an adventure not for the weak of heart 🤍

Welcome to the blog about traveling with teenagers! With summer around the corner, traveling with children/teens is probably forefront in your mind.

I know it can be tricky, between their mood swings and occasional teenage angst, but I promise you can still have a wonderful time abroad with teens.  It can also be a great chance for them to learn about problem solvong and seeing life less egocentrically.

I recently took my teens to Egypt and Jordan.  It was meant to be a trip for them to understand their roots a little bit  but it ended up being so much more.  Through my own zest to experience as much as possible, we missed our connecting flight in London.  The stress of not being able to get to Egypt on time and dealing with difficult and unhelpful people at the airport, was enough to turn them off of ever traveling again….. but I used the time to teach them how to resolve problems through determination and effective communication.  In the end, it was an experience that added life lessons that will probably stay with them forever!  It also allowed them to see their parents in a vulnerable position which resulted in them identifying with us more.

Today, i want to  give you some tips and tricks to make the most of your vacation.   Obviously tip number one, is don’t miss your connection 🤪.

Try getting teens involved with planning the trip. Let them research different destinations, activities, and lodging to get them engaged and excited. Also, while they’re researching, they’ll be more likely to identify any potential conflicts.

Next, make sure to accommodate the different needs of teens. Give them “alone time” to recharge their batteries, and make sure they have time to do teen-friendly activities, like going to the movies or visiting local shopping districts. Every teens needs time to be themselves in order to truly enjoy a vacation.

Also, make sure you plan certain activities that are “no phone zones.” Teens can get caught up in their phones and forget to experience the world around them. Put away the devices and be present for moments like picnics in the park or a family game.

Finally, make sure to set some time for everyone to rest and eat balanced meals. If they're tired and hungry, the trip will not be as pleasant as can be. While teens are older and can regulate themselves better now, they're still human and have physiological drives.

I hope these tips have been helpful. Please feel free to add any ideas and suggestions that I missed. Happy travels!