Advise re holiday vs prom with stroppy teen

zenmaster

Cracking result!!

Nasty American thing the "prom" night but, as I understand an important right of passage these days.

We had a fantastic holiday a couple of years ago with all kids and BFs/GFs included.

The only problem is they keep asking when we are doing it again.

Minxz

As a mum to a teen girl who wanted to miss out on a family holiday last year, I'd say let him stay behind!

Leaving school is a big thing for them, and the prom is usually a pretty big event- make sure you get someone to take some photos fpr you too.

Last year we booked a holiday, only a UK one, but I was quite upset when I found out my daughter had booked to go and see Green day play at Wembley that very weekend as she 'forgot to check dates'.
I decided to forgo the money i spent on her accomodation etc, as I knew it's be the holiday from hell if she came and sulked the whole time! So I went with my OH and 4 year old, and she looked at the photos and grudgingly admitted she * might* have enjoyed it..lol
He will be put out when he hears you all get excited about it, and probably show disinterest when you get the holiday snaps out, but I can understand him wanting to be with the friends he's spent the last 4-5 years with to celebrate end of exams and school. Maybe he could stay with a freind for a couple of nights?
Needs to be a responsible one though... leaving school can be a bit of a drink fest sometimes!

You will all have a much more relaxing time without him , he's made a choice, part of growing up is realising he can't have everything, and what us adults consider a fantastic summer including a holiday, teens may not.
( My daughter was 16 last year too)
I have 2 older sons too, and neither of them would consider coming away with us now, unless of course we won the lottery and took them all to Florida!!

Minxz

Oops.. just scrolled back and read the bit about the gf coming along... oh well!! )

lilian1977

Just read this thread, glad you've got it sorted, what a great compromise. My advice was going to be that at 16, nothing was more important to me than not missing out on a social occasion like a prom (I'm 33 now) as if you missed it, you wouldn't be included in any of the post-party reminiscing - which can make you feel terrible at that age.

Not sure what I would have suggested about the staying home alone part though!