Practical advice, tips and easy to follow suggestions here for parents with children reluctant to join them on the next family vacation.
Teenagers are usually reluctant to join their families on vacations and most parents have to work hard in order to convince them to join. But then these parents are filled with anxiety since they now have to worry that these kids will enjoy themselves. A vacation is not just time off but time off that is spent in bridging gaps that may or may not have grown between family members. Here, I help such parents in their search for a joyful holiday.
1) Pick vacational resorts offering fun activities that can be done as a group such as water sports, clowns, billiard tables, tennis and soccer grounds, basketball courts and swimming pools. But the idea is not to let them go on their own but to join them and take an active part in the games or water sports.
2) A vacation is the perfect setting for reenergizing yourself and your relationship with your kids. Make an effort to find out what their preferences are and then actively take part in these activities. Some options are going for a swim and then using a rubber ball to play fetch. Snooker tables or tennis courts are another option where one can direct them how to play and then play against or with them. Physical activities should be preferred over the other types of games because physical bonds are the fastest and easiest to make.
2) Board Games are excellent for intimate bonding. Try and learn which ones they like and then bring them along on the vacation (without telling them). Then, as you sit by the swimming pool or on the lawns or by the sea, take them out. Be prepared for they will not be happy, but once you begin playing and they get involved, you will see the difference. Try doing this activity during the early hours of the evening when the physical activities have taken their toll and all are tired or about to take a break and people will be going to get ready for dinner which is usually served at around eight. In any case, arrange it so that you have at least an hour of playing time and then stop when you finish the allocated period. Do this and your children will wish you did not stop and will not get tired.
3) Do not head for the dining room immediately but rather go when it is about a half-and hour before the end of the meal. The children will have less time to fool around and most of the tables will be empty thus saving you any embarrassment even if they do make a mess.
Whatever the rules you make, try bearing in mind that you have all come for a vacation so don't make the limits too strict. But on the other hand, don't do the exact opposite and allow everything. Doing such a thing to children can be even more destructive than strict rules and eventually we should all keep in mind that you are parents and as such have to think of the long time goals and not the short time enjoyment of your children.
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