Traveling with Teens

Vacationing with teens…..is that an oxymoron? If you take the right approach, it doesn’t have to be! Sure, they can be moody, but more often than not teenagers are up for having a good time with their families. Here are some cool strategies to take your family vacation from “aaaggghhh” to ‘ahhhhh!” 

·         Ask for your teen’s input. If your teen is involved in the planning stages, he/she will feel more invested and the vacation will start off on the right foot.

·         Let everyone pick. Each family member gets to choose one thing for the entire family to do and everyone has to get on board. If you don’t complain during the kids’ pick, chances are they will be less apt to complain during yours.

·         Bend the rules. Letting your teen eat more junk food than dinner, and sleep in while you visit that ninth museum, will do wonders for your sanity. Keeping the peace will make your vacation that much more enjoyable.

·         Get their attention. Telling them you’re going to the biggest fort in the Caribbean? Boring. Telling them you’re going to see the place where Johnny Depp shot “that one scene” in Pirates of the Caribbean? Priceless! Once they are there, they will probably find more than a couple things that amuse them.

·         Set a budget. It’s easy to blow more money on vacation than you anticipated. Give your teens a budget for spending and let them keep the rest. They will be more likely to spend wisely if the money is theirs.  

·         Allow technology. As long as the data roaming bills aren’t exorbitant, and they aren’t doing it during dinner, a little texting never hurt anyone. Set a few [minimal] ground rules, and go ahead and let them brag about their trip on Facebook.

·         Let them sleep. Most teens love to sleep in, and vacation is the perfect time to rest.  You can take advantage of the quiet, plus get some “Me” time in!

 

 

Making your free online parking reservation with Midway EZ Parking is just one more way to make your vacation ‘way cool!”

Rising Above Holiday Buzz-Kills

 

 

 

It's the most wonderful time of the year....yet some of us are cranky!  Holiday air travel is tricky enough without adding a naughty seatmate to the mix, so we've put some ideas together to help you keep your Christmas cool, and enjoy your flight!

1.    Board with your zone. Don’t cut people in line!  Many people who board first paid for the privilege, so it is only fair to honor it.

2.    Do a good deed. Will it really hurt to switch seats so a family can sit together? If they suggest you trade your aisle seat for their middle seat, use your best judgment. You’re sure to be on Santa’s “nice list” this year!

3.    Don’t give parents dirty stares. While you may pray that the woman with the screaming baby doesn’t take the seat next to yours, avoid glaring at her. If she sits next to you, refrain from visibly sulking. She knows that her precious darling is making noise; she doesn’t need you to remind her.

4.    Middle seats get the armrest. Do you know anyone who likes to sit in the middle seat? Didn’t think so! Give those unlucky travelers the comfort of using both armrests. You’ll survive with the armrest that’s dedicated to you.

5.    Check before you recline. Yes, it’s your right to recline, but wouldn’t it be nice to look behind you before you do? Give that traveler a chance to close his laptop before your seat crushes it.

6.    Let your neighbor sleep. Trying to catch up on your “long winter’s nap” can be tough during a flight. Leave it to the discretion of the stewardess to decide who gets a wake up nudge or who sleeps through the pretzels and orange juice call.

Let the spirit of the season be reason enough to take the high road as you travel.  Remember, everyone’s just trying to get to the presents and dinner table on time! 

This holiday season, make your free online parking reservation with Team Parking and save!