While a family holiday can be a great bonding experience, travelling with a teen can be somewhat of a minefield.
 
Depending on their age, many teens may feel they’re too old (and too cool) to be holidaying with their family, and might put up a bit of a fight during the trip.
 
Here are a few tips to make a holiday with your teen go that bit smoother, and who knows - he or she might actually end up having a brilliant time despite themselves.
 
1. Ask for input 
When you're in the planning stages of your holiday, sit down with everyone and figure out what kind of trip each person wants. Finding a holiday that suits everyone isn't just wishful thinking. If you let your teen help plan the trip, he or she will feel more involved and the family holiday will start out on the right foot. 
 
2. Bend the rules
Yes, your teen needs discipline. But if keeping the peace means more dessert than dinner, more movies than museums or letting him or her sleep in while you visit the ninth church on your list, just go along with it. Remember that keeping the peace will make your holiday that much more enjoyable.
 
3. Don't dwell
When fights erupt and tantrums happen, try and move on as quickly as possible. Hopefully the less you dwell, the less your teen will too.
 
4. Let them bring a friend
If it isn't too costly and the friend's parents are on board, having your teen bring a friend just might mean more free time for you, and will keep your teen happy and entertained. 
 
5. Give them space
Teenagers need space like fish need water. Give them space by choosing accommodations that offer more than just one room, such as a suite, or book adjacent rooms if the budget permits. Mental space is important too, so do not plan a schedule jam-packed with activities for every minute of the day. To teenagers, space equals privacy, and privacy is hard to come by in a cramped hotel room. 
 
6. Let them sleep
Let your teens sleep in as much as your schedule allows. It's a win-win situation. They happily get to sleep in, and you have time for a quick nine holes on the course or a trip to the spa. Teens love to sleep late, and research has shown that their body clocks demand it. Try not to think of it as wasted holiday time, as letting them sleep is an easy way to eliminate tension.
 
7. Set a budget
On holiday, it's easy to blow your budget by buying all sorts of mementos to keep the kids happy. But if you give your teen a budget and even let he or she keep any leftover money, they'll be less likely to spend money on souvenirs you'll find under their bed a week after you get home.
 
Image via Pinterest.

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