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Original poster

To think holidays with teens/preteens are just rubbish

157 replies

ExtrovertedIntrovert1 · 02/08/2024 16:49

Paid a fortune because it's summer holidays.
UK holiday because they both weren't keen on the idea of abroad and it was too expensive anyway.
Everything is "boring".
Tried visiting towns looking round shops. Boring.
Theme parks? No, boring.
Beach? Pointless
Castles or things of historical interest (Ha, absolutely ridiculously boring)
Museums? Haha
Every time we attempt at outing it's just miserable faces then the oldest will eventually pipe up "can we go back to the caravan".... so we can just sit around, on phones, doodling, etc. Basically stuff they would be doing at home.

I know this is probably within the realms of normal, but it's so pointless and boring. Spent a fortune and time/effort researching things that might be fun to do but it's just a waste of time. I even ended up suggesting that I'll just holiday on my own next year but in reality that won't happen. Does anyone do that? I love holidays, beaches, visiting different places. It's depressing to think holidays won't be fun again until they're old enough to leave at home.

Pointless thread but just needed to vent.
Please don't reply if your preteens/teens just LOVE holidaying and you always have a tonne of fun. I don't want to hear it 😂

OP posts:
menopausalmare · 02/08/2024 17:00

My two are 12 and 10. They are happiest in the sea, crabbing, climbing seaside rocks and short boat trips. Oh, and building dams in streams. The heat makes them bad tempered and grumpy to visit stately homes etc. They aren't embarrassed to be seen with us yet but that time will come. Keep it simple while you can.

Commonsense22 · 02/08/2024 16:59

Next year, send them on camps with teens their age of DoE stuff depending on their age.
You enjoy a holiday with your OH.

JMSA · 02/08/2024 16:59

I hear ya!

Jumblebum · 02/08/2024 16:58

Is it because they just want to be on their phones? I had to have words with one of mine this year .. we compromised and agreed we'd have one day of activities without a face on followed by a day of chilling on phones (or in my case with book and wine). He wasn't allowed to moan whilst we were sightseeing and I wouldn't moan about being bored at the caravan. It worked pretty well and I actually was forced to relax a bit and not give into the pressure of doing stuff.

hopeishere · 02/08/2024 16:57

Yeah. It's so annoying. A mix of doing stuff and downtime / phone time works. We did a cruise and that was actually pretty good.

FieldInWhichFucksAreGrownIsBarren · 02/08/2024 16:53

This was us last year but abroad. The only time eldest was happy was pissing about with the local stray kittens. I just left them to it the majority of the time and read in the sun-it did feel like an utter waste of money though.
So this year they have chosen and we're doing a city break abroad, not one complaint had better pass their lips...

Fairydust34 · 02/08/2024 16:51

I don’t have any advice, but I’m in the same position it’s so fustrating espicially when you’ve spent a lot of money. You’re not alone!