teenage son no longer wants to come away with me

bargain_hunter_2

my 18 year old decided last year would be her last 'family' holiday -it's the done thing here to go with your mates at that age - however, as we're going to Florida she's decided to come with us as it'll be more fun- and she's going to a festival with her mates -I'm happy, she's happy no question of her not coming on holiday with us until she was 18 though - its only now I feel she's old enough to make up her own mind !

poet123

zaksmum wrote: »

It's not about openly bad behaviour with teens who just don't want to be there with you. It's just looking miserable as sin, shrugging when asked if they're ok, exuding boredom...that sort of thing.

Where my own kids were concerned, I was quite relieved when the time came that they didn't want to be with us any more on holiday.

We could just do what WE wanted for the first time in our married life instead of trying to motivate bored kids who refuse point blank to even LOOK as if they might be enjoying themselves:)

I know what you are saying and they can behave like that when it suits but I have honestly never had that on any of our family holidays. We have always considered their needs and wants though before booking anywhere.

We have had years since each of them turned 17/18 when none of them came with us, years when one came and years when they all came! We are down to just one 16 year old now, and he is so easy to please it is untrue. As long as he is well fed and has a portable game machine and some books he is happy. We don't do traditional beach holidays though and we do include the odd theme park visit if we can.

I would have been mortified though if they had behaved like that when someone else had spent their hard earned cash to fund the holiday.

We do do quite a lot of UK breaks on our own too though, when he stays with his older adult brothers.

Doshwaster

needaholiday wrote: »

Took my son to Portugal when he was fourteen and he was very bored. Forced him come to Ibiza the following year (Puerto San Miguel) and he had a ball and has come every year since (except last year as it clashed with his lads holiday to Magaluf). He is nagging to come with us again this year and he is now 20!

Family holidays can be very boring between the ages of 14 and 18 unless they are planned properly. You are too old for the "kids stuff" but too young to join in with everything the adults are doing. The last time I went on holiday with my parents was when I was 15. I remember spending all week sulking in my room reading and watching TV. The following year I just stopped at home.

By time you turn 20, family holidays become more attractive as there is the hope that you won't have to pay for anything.

jackieblack

poet123 wrote: »

We don't do traditional beach holidays though and we do include the odd theme park visit if we can.

Same here.

bargain_hunter wrote: »

my 18 year old decided last year would be her last 'family' holiday -it's the done thing here to go with your mates at that age - however, as we're going to Florida she's decided to come with us as it'll be more fun- and she's going to a festival with her mates -I'm happy, she's happy no question of her not coming on holiday with us until she was 18 though - its only now I feel she's old enough to make up her own mind !

Snap!
Our 17 year old DD told us that this year's holiday (at Easter) would be her last but when we suggested going to Florida for Christmas/New Year she changed her mind!

claire16c

I find it odd a teenager would be that annoyed on a holiday! I wouldn't have dreamt of acting like that to the extent it ruined it for other people.

We went to some great places, and sometimes myself and my sister would make friends with other teens there. We went to Mauritius for example and we spent the entire time hanging about with the other kids there, and the hotel staff, who took us to their village to play pool once they'd finished work, and a girl I made friends with really fancied one of the waiters, it was hilarious as he became besotted with her within 24 hours and sent her texts in broken English. Im still friends with her on facebook 14 years later!

We did used to sometimes spend hours watching awful American tv when we went to the States which I cringe at now, but we were enjoying ourselves and it gave my parents some peace and quiet.

And it is best to make the most of it, because once I got past about 18/19 I started going away with my boyfriend and friends and had to pay for it myself.

There simply wouldn't have been a conversation about us not going away with our parents if they wanted us to go. I think the OP should make him go if its been paid for.

starrybee

I stopped going on holidays with my parents when I was around 15, I always found them really boring, and they were happy to get rid of me I think

That being said if I'd told them that AFTER they'd booked it, I would have realised that I'd have to suck it up one last time rather than lose them money.

Doshwaster

claire16c wrote: »

We went to some great places, and sometimes myself and my sister would make friends with other teens there. We went to Mauritius for example and we spent the entire time hanging about with the other kids there, and the hotel staff, who took us to their village to play pool once they'd finished work, and a girl I made friends with really fancied one of the waiters, it was hilarious as he became besotted with her within 24 hours and sent her texts in broken English. Im still friends with her on facebook 14 years later.

I suppose it's harder for teenagers to be bored in Mauritius than if they are stuck in a caravan on a campsite in rainy Skegness.

Unfortunately when I was a teenager our family holidays were more like the latter.

valk_scot

We're off camping this year with our 17 year old. When I asked if he'd like to stay at home with some food money he was horrified, he said there was no way he was being left out! We usually make a point of everyone taking it in turns to chose where to go each day (there's an 11 year old too) which works out very well, everyone gets three chances out of four to complain about the day's activity. And everyone has to do the chores like cook and dishes so less time to get bored. Anyone who does whinge obviously doesn't have enough to do so they get extra chores. Camping does have a lot of advantages that way!

photome

Why has this thread turned in to the rights and wrongs of taking a teenager on holiday,(there isnt a right or wrong) that isnt what was asked.

Most responses are personal preferences and every poster will have differing views.

OP you will have to ask the TA and check terms and conditions