Tag: vacationing with teens

Teens On Your Terms

Young, wild, and free … isn’t that what it’s supposed to feel like to be a teenager? While it’s normal for teens to push and discover their limits, it’s also dangerous. Due in large part to the fact that parenting decisions are only as sound as the information on which they’re based, more parents are choosing to rely on tools and technology than gut instinct.

Here are three strategies for parents concerned about their children safety:

1. Install a GPS system in your teen’s car.

In the old days, parents would check their cars for new scratches, dents, or overly fast tire wear and ask other parents if they had seen their kids driving recklessly or beyond their geographic limits.

Parents who utilize GPS technology know where their car is, where it has been, and how fast it has been driven. When continued driving privileges are tied to responsible use, safer driving results. More importantly, teens know that their parents have access to this information, which makes them feel safer if they get lost or into trouble. It’s like having a parent in the car at all times.

2. Install software for monitoring email and chat room conversations.

Sexual predators target teens in Internet chat rooms. Parents should obviously urge their kids not to give out personal information or agree to meet someone they “met” on the Internet. However, since teens know their online activities are a privilege and can be monitored, they’ve got a constant reminder. Parents urge teens to resist talking or behaving online any differently than they would if their parents were in the room because, in a way, they are.

3. Initiate a parent – child contract and home drug testing program.

Peer pressure often increases when kids “just say no” to drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. Kids need a “socially acceptable” excuse, and the words “My parents test me” stop pushy peers in their tracks. Parent and Child Contract Software (PACCS), developed by Dr. Michael Reznicek, helps facilitate conversations and establish expectations (including both rewards and consequences) between parents and teens regarding drug use. Home drug testing kits can be administered at home and provide instant results for a fraction of the cost of a lab, without sacrificing accuracy or privacy.

Family Vacations With Teenagers

Are you planning a vacation this year? Have teenagers? Well we have some tips for you. Being the parent of teenagers is often a difficult time, however it doesn’t last forever and believe it or not your teenager really does love you! FamilyCrossings.com all about families, even those moody teens!

Vacationing with a teenager can be difficult, especially if you aren’t sure where to take them. During the summer, teenagers prefer to be with their friends, so taking time away for a family vacation can sometimes be a hassle. When planning a family vacation when you have teenagers, try to find places that are interesting, fun, and relaxing.

Amusement parks, cruises, and sightseeing tours can be a fun way for everyone to have a great time while on vacation. Before booking a vacation, talk to your children to get a better idea of what they would like to do. This will help in your decision making process.

Giving your teenagers some free time while on vacation to be by themselves or to hang out with new friends they may have met is a good idea and a way to maintain peace during a vacation. Make sure you know where your children will be and set a curfew so they can be back within a certain amount of time.

You will be able to enjoy activities that you want to participate in while they are away. When on a family vacation, it is important to spend time together, but it is also important to have a little alone time as well.

Letting your teenager to bring a friend along for the trip is another way for your teenager to have a good time. While some teenagers will want to explore new places with you, others won’t. You should not take it personally. Trying to find activities that everyone will enjoy is difficult at times, but with enough patience and trying out different activities, you will find some common ground. Being able to spend time together as a family is a great way to bond and share the same experiences. You will not regret going on these family vacations.

Keep in mind that the teenage phase is a short one and once they have past the phase, they will want to spend more time with you when on vacation. Also, don’t assume your teenager doesn’t want to spend time with you. Many teenagers would rather spend time with their parents than meet new people.

Depending on the type of vacation you will be going on, you should be prepared to spend a few days together doing activities that everyone will enjoy. Even if this means spending time at the beach or at an amusement park, it is time well spent.

Vacationing with teenagers can save you money, however. Because many resorts want to attract families to stay, they will offer discounts to those who have children under a certain age. This means that you may save money on food, room, and amusement park tickets. Ask the resort before booking the trip to see if you will qualify for any discounts.

This could keep the cost of your vacation down, which is enough to put anyone in a good mood.