Let’s do family holidays while we still can?

DS is nearly 20 and has decided to come with us this year ... nothing like a freebie to make them want to spend time with their family 🤣

Is it the cost? If so, sit down and work the budget out?

or is it the travel ? Does not not like flying, the fuss if of it all etc? If so, maybe even consider not going so far. Maybe even just to Jersey for a break.

Go on the holiday. All i’ve had this year so far is bad news. Life is short, who cares about the things he wants to do instead. Holidays and precious time spent together is what is important.

100% use some for a holiday

My mental health would not be the same without a break - I also wfh full time so a change of scenery is important and we always do a few short breaks as well as main family holiday

Mine are 16 & 18, 18 yo went away with friends last year but came with us too (like a pp, I think as long as we are paying they will come!)

Past few years though we did some big memory making holidays and I don't regret a penny or a minute

This , I took my two 11 and 13 alone last year for similar reasons just wanted to get something fun in before DD turned 13 and DS had only just started secondary. Just felt like a cusp moment in time, I'm glad I did!

My DD (age 18) has made it clear she’s always available to travel with me! I clarified that it was because I was paying 😖

Definitely a holiday!

Although if you were extending the house or doing something huge that would really make an impact on your day to day life that would be different, but still camping to get out of the house would still be fun! (If you’re campers!)

Definitely holiday. Although I must say I wouldn’t be too sure about them not coming with you when 17. Mine are roughly a decade older and we still do a family holiday.

My DD25 and DS20 came on holiday with us last year, first time we'd been away as a 4 since 2018! It was very different from teen years (in a good way!) - they were both completely engaged in planning activities/choosing restaurants, it was great. Cost a fortune but I don't care, we had a blast and it will probably be our last as a 4, as DD is now engaged 😊. Don't miss the chance for holidays as your children get older, they really do remember those much more than a fancier fridge!

I feel like we can do more.

My parents still enjoy their beach holidays, which they go on without us. But we have shared interests now. We're going to Rome, and instead of it being a drag for me and my brother, we're planning all sorts of activities that all four of us will enjoy. It's nice to have more grown up fun.

I'm in my mid-20s and I prefer going away with them now than when we were teenagers. Granted, I make a contribution to the trips, but it's a different kind of fun.

That is what my DC say, they really enjoy all the planning and research now.

Honestly, as a young woman, I'd say that it's better to go away when your kids are older.

I'm in my mid-20s and I prefer going away with them now than when we were teenagers. Granted, I make a contribution to the trips, but it's a different kind of fun.

You go travelling with them, if DH doesn't want to go then go alone with them. If money is no object you could also look into one of those package holidays where you have a two week bus tour through Asia or South America. They'll never forget it and there might be other teens on the bus to talk yo.

Go on the holidays. Ds was 15 when Covid hit, so was 18 by the time everything had settled and you could go away properly. By then he wanted to go with his mates and off he went. And I feel cheated for those holidays we missed. So do it, don’t have regrets.

I have 17 and 15 year olds and we are planning a 2.5-3 week holiday this summer. A celebration for us all after getting through GCSE and A-level. So I def say holiday. If you want your teens to be more engaged with the holiday ask them to look into where or what they'd like to do.
Although I think of he wants to stay home and crack in with DIY let him. He'll soon get fomo!

I can understand him wanting some time at home if he’s away a lot. It’s the same feeling as you wanting to go away because you’re always at home.

I would book something and let him decide whether he wants to come closer to the time.

I think this is the key bit - if it’s to somewhere good!

The thing that ends at about 16 ish is wanting to go away just anywhere with you - or having to go even if they’re not that fussed!

Always go for experiences rather than stuff in my view. Memories of holidays last forever.

Yes exactly!

No one knows whats around the corner in terms of health wealth or anything else we had a last family holiday booked for summer 2020 but then covid struck and we never got the final last two family holidays abroad. Go and create memories.

The three of you can go on holiday if he wants to stay home. Also don’t bank on the DC not wanting to go with you in the future. Mine are mid 20’s and despite having a few years off while they were at uni they are very much back into family holidays if it’s to somewhere good.

Covid took several holidaying years away too.