| Here we go! It's that time of year again - the family | | | | 4. Allow your teenager to have some reasonable |
| holiday vacation. Some families historically travel this | | | | amount of time alone |
| time of year, while others will choose to stay home. | | | | As your teenager gets older, there is a normal part of |
| Perhaps you are having extended family coming in for | | | | you that desire to spend a lot of time with him/her. |
| the holidays. Or maybe your family has decided to fly | | | | You want to cherish the time with your daughter, and |
| solo and stay home. Regardless of the plans, many | | | | make sure your son knows the importance of your |
| parents can find themselves feeling apprehensive | | | | relationship. Yet, today's teenagers' lives can be as |
| about spending a vacation with their teenagers. "Is this | | | | busy as adults'. Like you, they may need some down |
| holiday season going to be a disaster?" "What if he | | | | time to just sit and loaf around. |
| she embarrasses me in front of everyone?" "We | | | | 5. Avoid placing any expectations or ideals on your |
| haven't been getting along lately, and what if this entire | | | | vacation |
| vacation is filled with conflict?" Here are 7 things you | | | | Many parents visualize in their mind, and heart what |
| can do to help make it a great vacation: | | | | they want their family vacations to be like. Their ideals |
| 1. Include your teenager in the planning | | | | are filled with holiday cheer, perfect children, and |
| If there is one thing most teenagers enjoy, it is giving | | | | Norman Rockwell memories. Thereby, they |
| other their opinion. This is especially true if someone is | | | | unintentionally place expectations on their teenagers |
| asking for their opinion. Ask your teenager some ideas | | | | and family members. While dreams are not a bad |
| of what they think would be enjoyable to do on the | | | | thing, disappointment and resentment can arise when |
| family vacation. Even if you set the ground rules of | | | | these expectations are not met. Take your vacation a |
| where your family is going, ask them what they would | | | | day at a time, without any expectations. |
| like to do some of the time. It is after all there vacation | | | | 6. Agree to put all major family conflict aside for the |
| also. | | | | duration of your vacation |
| 2. Carve out some alone time for yourself | | | | If there is a major conflict between you and your |
| Ironic as it may sound, vacations can be exhausting, | | | | teenager, then agree to put the matter aside until after |
| especially for parents. Whether your children are | | | | your vacation. Anyone can "agree to disagree" for a |
| toddlers or teenagers, fatigue can set in from trying to | | | | temporary period of time. No one wants a vacation |
| accomplish too much in such a short amount of time. | | | | filled with tension and conflict. Perhaps when your |
| Make sure you take some time to relax yourself. A | | | | vacation is over, both of you will be in a better |
| relaxed parent makes for a more relaxed family | | | | emotional state to discuss your conflict in a better |
| vacation. | | | | manner. |
| 3. Carve our some alone time for you and your | | | | 7. When conflict arises between you and your |
| teenager | | | | teenager, talk it out |
| Even if you are vacationing with a lot of extended | | | | No doubt there will moments of frustration between |
| family members, make it a point to take some time to | | | | you and your teenager. It is unrealistic to expect |
| spend with your teenager one-on-one. It does not | | | | otherwise. As the parent, make it a point to pick your |
| necessarily need to be a huge ordeal with a lot of fan | | | | battles. Then talk it out in a manner that will resolve |
| fare. Perhaps grabbing something to eat unexpectedly, | | | | conflict, rather than placing blame. Avoid harboring |
| or going for a walk in the morning. Even a | | | | grudges and resentments |
| conversation in the car while running errands can be | | | | Oh and here is 8) Take lots of pictures! They will mean |
| meaningful. Find those rare teachable moments, and | | | | more later! |
| seize them! | | | | |