To want to make this holiday very special for DSS?

[Hop27]

Taking DSS on a 'big' holiday for the first time, he is 13 and we want to make it very special for him!. We live overseas and not hugely impacted by Covid restrictions, which I appreciate makes us very lucky.
Heading to the tropics and staying in a big resort with villa's, beach and large pools. It has taken so much to get to this point so want to make it extra special for him.
We are going to ask if he wants to bring a friend from school (we'll cover the cost)
Stock the fridge with all the snacks and drinks he likes so he can just help himself.
Have booked restaurants in the local town and some nights we can get room service to the villa.
Will hire them bikes so they can go exploring.
Booked a couple of 'adventure trips'
Thinking of taking his x-box so they can have some down time in the room in the evening or in the afternoon sun.
Will buy a couple of silly inflatables and pool games to take with us.
Is there anything else that we could do to make it a really memorable experience for him?

Sounds like it’s going to be amazing!

The thing I always loved about family holidays as a child was the sense that normal rules were slightly suspended - so being able to stay up later than usual to have dinner, being allowed a small glass of alcohol (your DSS may be too young for that one though!), the undivided attention of our parents for a week.

So while all of the things you have planned sound great, don’t forget that the thing that will probably be most memorable for him is just the experience of lots of family time when everyone is relaxed and happy and inclined to be especially lovely to one another!

Can you adopt me OP?

Don't set your expectations too high that every minute must be amazing.

He is 13. He may have a sulk at some point or be annoying/ungrateful or want to just stay in his room for a while on his phone. Or bicker with his friend

That's fine. Don't expect every moment to be Instagram perfect.

Don't take the x box, take cards or some travel board games

Can I come ? Sounds amazing !

Honestly sounds fab as it is with all your suggestions

Agree, don’t take the x box.

Only take the xbox if you want him staying inside all the time gaming. Ass pss suggested travel board games, cards, dominos.

Inflatables, check local restrictions. One of the places we go has an area wide ban on them.

@FiveGoMadInDorset @AlwaysCheddar what's wrong with taking the xbox if its what they enjoy? they will probably want some down time to just relax

I wouldn't take the x-box. He'll have plenty of time to play on that at home. Holidays are about exploring new places and doing things a bit differently from normal!

Maybe a shopping trip to buy himself holiday clothes?

It sounds bloody amazing though he's going to love it!

Jealous

My ds13 loves snorkelling, just from the beach snorkelling

Why so much effort to make it amazing? The baseline already sounds wonderful.

You’re setting yourself up for failure here and massive disappointment if it’s anything less than perfect at every moment.

It sounds great. But if you work really hard at it being fabulous you risk it becoming hard work for all concerned.

And I agree, don’t take the X Box.

You’ve already booked restaurants but haven’t even asked about a friend yet? I’d check with DSS if he wants a friend- IME boys of that age don’t always- and concentrate on that.

@AlexaShutUp it's in a hot climate. The afternoon could really be too hot to be out and about trust me. I have been on holidays where no sane person is out between 12-5 the sun and heat is that bad

Are you going soon? Trying to figure out timeline as you haven't asked the friend yet but you've booked restaurants. If it's a while away I'd wait before making firm plans as kids are changeable at that age.

@AlexaShutUp it's in a hot climate. The afternoon could really be too hot to be out and about trust me. I have been on holidays where no sane person is out between 12-5 the sun and heat is that bad

It's in the tropics. I used to live in a tropical climate and although you have to be sensible about the heat, I certainly didn't stay in from 12-5 every day! However, I appreciate that everyone's tolerance of heat is different. Regardless, I still think holidays are for doing things differently, so even if they do end up spending all afternoon at the hotel, I think it would be a wasted opportunity to just play on the x-box!

Take loads of photos and make an album up for him when you get back
Hope you all have a lovely time

It all sounds great, but are you going to be able to do this every year? Be careful that ensuing holidays aren't going to be a disappointment.

@AlexaShutUp that is fair enough I guess. The times I went to countries that hot it was either to see my family staying at grandparents place so my cousins always brought their console for us to play on or when me and fiancé went to Disney in Orlando so I took my switch and 3ds for me to play on while we watched some tv in the room to rest for a little. I would find having no down time to just relax exhausting lol

lovepickledlimes, I agree that downtime is important. I guess I just think that there are different ways of doing downtime, and personally, I would hate to spend my holiday playing electronic games. Maybe it's just a personal preference, but I like to find different ways of relaxing on holiday so that it's a proper break from the norm.

Btw, I love pickled limes too - one of my favourite things to eat on earth!!

You can play on an x box at home. Will be more of a faff taking it through security, carrying the thing, taking up space in hand luggage. If the place you are going to is that good, there will be similar, or more likely, it will not be needed at all.
Get inflateables out there - heavy and bulky to carry. There may be someone going home tomorrow who will give you theirs.

Sorry ... meant to say he has asked a friend from school and he's said yes.
Not expecting it to be wonderful/#soblessed 100% of the time but DSS is not overly sulky.
DSS has an Xbox in his room, but plays it occasionally and not for hours on end. He also has a PS in our den and will play that for 2 hour max if friends are over or with DH. Generally prefers to be active or social. So not concerned he'll play it for hours on end. But happy for them to get out the 30+ heat !
Will definitely take cards and games also ..... so keen for any teen friendly ideas, bit old for jenga/uno but not at the cards against humanity stage yet ..... lol

So, you have asked a friend and they've accepted? That was quick.