Ungrateful Teens on Florida holiday

OP, you've had 18, 16 and 13 years to teach each of your children your expected standard of behaviour during holidays.

Did you fully utilise that time?

Noone in their right mind goes to the parks at opening time no matter how early they're up. That would be downright stupid.

I’d probably do stuff with the youngest and leave the older two to it.
If you do want to do stuff altogether I think you’d have more success planning afternoon/evening activities.
The not swimming wouldn’t bother me.

Take them to a football game or hockey match

I'd just go off with the youngest and try to make the most of it, I think.

The other 2 would never get a holiday out of me again. No point in keeping nagging. Leave them in their pit and go enjoy yourself.

I've got a 19 year old. We asked him what his favourite holiday ever was, convinced that he'd pick one of our 2 US family road trips. What was his answer? His trip to Malaga after his A-levels last year with his mates. It wasn't even a Shagaluf type holiday, they're not that kind of lads, and one of them had taken his girlfriend anyway (who they all knew from school). He said "the airbnb was epic - it had 4 pianos". None of them even play the piano. 😂

Honestly, they're just weird, teens and young adults....

The mistake you made was booking a hotel instead of a villa. You can't expect a good holiday in one and others pockets 24/7.

If they're enjoying their holiday then good on them.

No im not dense thank you, live a little you freak. I plan on doing the same with my children - you gonna cry about that too?

I agree with this. My guess is that the 18yo and the 16yo don't appreciate a structured break and would rather do their own thing on their own terms, getting up late, screen time and chilling etc. The 13yo may appreciate the structured activities more possibly.

Bet they've put lots of photos on Insta of themselves pouting on that beautiful beach for the likes, and made it look like they've been up to all sorts. If only their friends knew the reality.....😆

My sister was the same at that age. I was wanting to be out exploring. Not necessarily early in the morning, but very definitely out and about! I remember my mum and dad and I going out to a few lovely towns in France on the border with Spain, and my sister refused to come. She sat in her basement bedroom pining over her boyfriend at home and writing him love letters (pre mobile phones), which she didn't send. The boyfriend didn't last and I wonder what her memories are of that holiday.

To be fair, she's still often like that now on her own holidays. Is quite happy to sit on a sunlounger for hours.

Took my two teens to st. Lucia for two weeks and they did the same. Says before phones but they wouldn't wake up in the morning. Waited a day for them to be ready. Now they talk about it as if it was the best holiday ever ! I'd definitely mention the cost and expectation as well as getting then to put their phones down to create some memories. Don't tar then next time.

I think it’s selfish of the parents. Not realising the disruption it will cause to their child/ren. Every child I’ve seen miss the first couple of weeks of term has struggled massively to settle in. It’s much less disruptive to take a child out at the end of the summer term.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 how on Earth is it selfish?? Maybe if they didn’t double the price of holidays during the 6 weeks holidays etc then so many families wouldn’t take their children out of school. I was also taken out of school to go on holidays and I’m doing alright for myself. Ps - they won’t get fined “heavily”, and the fine they do get will still work out cheaper than taking them during the 6 weeks holidays 🤝🏼

I would be giving them all the time that you're leaving in the morning. Make it very very plain, if they aren't ready to go, you won't be waiting! I'd also make it very plain, that you won't be sorting food out for them upon your return, if they can't be bothered to come out and participate in your holiday. What I wouldn't be doing is pandering to them. If no one is up/prepared to go out/wants to stay behind, then go out and YOU enjoy yourself! Don't waste your holiday pandering to 3 ungrateful teens. Once home, tell them straight, you won't be paying for them to go on holiday again!

There's a lot more to Florida than Disney parks!

Speak for yourself! I head to Disney in 2 weeks for the 14th time and I’m 32. “Too old for Disney” 🤣🤣 I think not. The OP needs to kick her kids up their arses and take their phones off of them. They are ungrateful.

Are the activities already paid for? If so then I'd be tempted to make non-participants pay for themselves out of whatever allowance they get

Bearing in mind that they were "fully aware of what the holiday would involve and said they wanted to go" I'd do the same ... after a prior warning that this is what would happen of course

Otherwise I agree with most others about taking the youngest with you and leaving them to it

We had the exact same issue last week! In the end we ended up leaving the older two in bed, going to the parks, getting food, going shopping etc... and then going back to the hotel for dinner before heading back to the parks with the older ones in the evening. The older two missed out on a lot but that was their choice. I also set up a group chat telling them the plans for the next day and letting them vote on what they wanted to do. I also noticed that once I started sharing photos on the group they realized what they were missing out on!

I agree - why Florida? I have a 19 year old and she would think I was mad if I suggested a holiday involving Disney, water parks, etc.

If it's for your eldests 18th, I'd largely leave them to it. Surely they can spend their birthday holiday as they wish?

If the younger one wants to go out, just go out.

Did the 18 year old want to go to Florida? Did they all have a say over activity choices?

Leave your older teens to their own devices and go out and about with your younger child. Don’t try and cajole them to join you. Refuse to sort their food, other than leave a small amount if money with them to sort food themselves.

If you saw someone reading a book whilst lying on a sun lounger would you judge them as well? Unless your teenagers are saying they’re not enjoying their holiday, why get stressed and upset just because they’re not doing what you think they should be doing.

The 16 and 18 year old could be finished with school.
The 13 year old could be home educated.
It's not relevant to the OPs issue.