Parents of teenagers know that connecting does not always come easily. Where once you had young kids who were happy to be in your company, you now have grumpy pre-adults who you barely recognize. At Sea Gardens Beach and Tennis Resort, we love watching families bond while on vacation, so we’ve put together a quick guide to planning a successful vacation with your teenagers.
Let Them Help Plan
Gone are the days where you can make every decision for your child, so let them be a part of the vacation planning process. Maybe a cabin in the woods sounds great to you, but they would rather head to the beach. Or perhaps they would rather leave a day later so they can make it to the big game. Taking their opinion seriously while planning your trip will make them feel valued and respected in the family unit.
Try Something New
Unless you have a well-established shared interest with your teen, find something new to try together. Instead of trying to force them to love your sport of choice, try one that is completely new to both of you. You’ll be able to share the experience better because you can both struggle and learn at the same pace. Seeing you fumble a bit will actually help break down some of the usual parent-teen barriers. We recommend golf, tennis, or jet skiing as fun activities that both parents and teens can enjoy.
Don’t Force Your Schedule on Them
Finally, try and remember what it was like when you were a teenager, and all you wanted to do was sleep in. Your teens are probably not going to want to get up at the crack of dawn with you- and that’s okay! Think about their habits as you schedule your days, and remember that sleepy teens are grumpy teens. Instead of booking the first boat tour of the day, leave them sleeping at the resort and have breakfast with your spouse. You can take advantage of the alone time and wake your teens up for a mid-morning boat tour instead. Everybody wins!
Sea Gardens Beach and Tennis Resort is a luxury oceanfront resort located in Pompano Beach that is an excellent place to connect with your teenagers. Contact us today at (954) 943-6200 to find out more about our resort, or to check our availability.