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