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Original poster

When did you stop taking your children on holiday with you?

119 replies

mutedrainbows · 21/08/2021 18:30

*lighthearted thread

My husband and I are having a disagreement. We have some family friends who are on holiday in Mexico. They're staying in an amazing villa - think huge terrace with beautiful views, an infinity pool, access to a private chef, etc. They just sent some photos through and we saw that their 17 year old son is with them.

My husband (English) thinks it's very weird that he's there with them. In his opinion, once you hit 16/17, you stop going on holiday with your parents because you'd rather stay home alone with the house to yourself (and probably get pissed with your mates) than lay by the pool with your parents for two weeks.

I (American) on the other hand think it's normal and 17 year old me would've been quite put out if my parents went on a holiday like that and I had to stay home alone and cook for myself Grin

Fair enough if you're wanting a romantic holiday for just the two of you but I don't see anything wrong with taking your children on holiday with you into adulthood!

So please settle our debate. Leave the kids at home to party or helicopter parent?

OP posts:
icedcoffees · 21/08/2021 18:32

I still went abroad with my parents in my twenties!

Our last family holiday together was skiing in France when I was 21, but I've travelled to Australia to see family with my mum since then.

PumpkinKlNG · 21/08/2021 18:32

I didn’t have my first family holiday till I was 17! 😂

FangsForTheMemory · 21/08/2021 18:33

Would depend on the holiday. No way would I have missed a trip to Mexico.

AlexaShutUp · 21/08/2021 18:35

My dd is 16 and would be really upset if we even suggested going on holiday without her. Of course we would take her with us, and will do for as long as she wants to come.

Contrary to popular opinion, a lot of teenagers still quite enjoy hanging out with their parents sometimes.

PiddleOfPuppies · 21/08/2021 18:35

Mine were all given the option to stay behind once they were 16 and had part time jobs. We've only done UK holidays though - I'm not sure how I'd feel about being abroad without them.
DS is 17 and working full-time as an apprentice and he doesn't want to spend any of his holiday allowance in a cottage with his parents! No wild parties have happened but his girlfriend moved in for the week this year.
My parents wouldn't ever leave us in the house overnight, even as an 18 year old, which was weird.

NeverTalkToStrangers · 21/08/2021 18:39

I definitely went on a trip on the Norfolk Broads with DPs and younger DB when I was 23 and working in a solid graduate job. I think going on holiday with your parents is nice when you no longer live with them so it’s a good way to spend time together.

surreygoldfish · 21/08/2021 18:40

Ours are 14, 19 and 20. All came on holiday until 18 and now mix and match depending on when we go, where we go. It’s lovely when they come with us - and it’s great for the youngest too.

JourneyToThePlacentaOfTheEarth · 21/08/2021 18:41

Absolutely I'll be taking my kids on holiday with me into adulthood until they say no thanks. This year my 16 and 17 year old came with us on holiday. They need WiFi , cool activities like go karts and ski jets etc and lots of meals out. Our holidays will change as they get older. They'll have a drink with us and meet people and do things alone

WandaVision2 · 21/08/2021 18:42

My 22yo daughter still comes with us.

Nesbo · 21/08/2021 18:44

I stopped at about 16, but joined them for a couple of trips a few years later. It was the moment I stopped going that they went long haul!

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 21/08/2021 18:44

Neither is wrong. Lots of families enjoy holidays together. Some teenagers don't want to go on holiday with their parents

MiddlesexGirl · 21/08/2021 18:45

I didn't go on holiday with my parents past the age of about 16 because I didn't like the kind of holidays they went on.
My dc still come with us on most holidays, especially the more exotic (and expensive) ones. Oldest dc is 26.

HelenHywater · 21/08/2021 18:45

My older ones came with me in 2019. We had a early holiday in 2020 but the older 2 didn't come - one was on her (soon to end abruptly) gap year and the other was working then. My 17 year old did come though.

They are all planning to come next summer - we are trying to decide where to go. I like holidaying with them. They like me paying. So we're all happy.

HelloMissus · 21/08/2021 18:46

Mine still come with us even though they’re in their 20s. Especially if we’re paying.
But DH and I also have holidays with just the two of us.

Longdistance · 21/08/2021 18:47

I think I was 16 when the holidays away stopped. I’m dreading it with my dds as we’ve travelled all over the world and they’re great company, even though they’re 10 and 12. We’ve had some amazing trips and obviously they’ll be more.

HelenHywater · 21/08/2021 18:48

My 16 year old is most likely to want to stay at home - she just can't bear being away from her friends. I'm least likely to leave her alone as she just can't be trusted.

RunningFromInsanity · 21/08/2021 18:48

I’m 28 and I’m going on holiday with my parents in October

Teach234 · 21/08/2021 18:48

I'm 34 and go on holiday with my parents, brother and his wife along with my husband and kids

katemuff · 21/08/2021 18:49

I am on holiday with my DM now! I'm
47. Then my DM has a week with her DM98 😂😂

Bumblenums1234 · 21/08/2021 18:50

I still go on holidays with my parents and I'm 31 with my own child!

HelloMissus · 21/08/2021 18:50

longdistance don’t assume they will stop.
Mine came with us all through university. The eldest didn’t but that was only because he plays football professionally and couldn’t get time away outside summer.

pilates · 21/08/2021 18:54

The holiday you have described I think most older teenage kids would want to go on. A week camping in England maybe not.

LynseyLoses · 21/08/2021 18:55

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

Neither is wrong. Lots of families enjoy holidays together. Some teenagers don't want to go on holiday with their parents
Yes, I think this really.

I went on holiday with my mum into my twenties! But I also remember going out and getting really drunk with other teens while on holiday, at about 16 Blush. Not my finest hour and arguably, if have been safer at home where I knew everyone. In hindsight, my parents probably don't score any points for handing me cash and sending me out on the town either!

LynseyLoses · 21/08/2021 18:55

I'd*

Madcats · 21/08/2021 18:58

I'm not sure I went on regular holidays with my parents after about 14 (but I'm older and holidays weren't such a thing in the 80's).

I (and DD, for that matter) did/do a lot of school exchanges/extracurricular camps/holidays in our teens. I probably had at least 3 long weekends and two weeks away doing school/club organised trips. In a normal year I'd expect DD to be on a school ski trip, activities week, swim camp week, CCF...,, sleepovers at friends' houses.

DH and I (and probably my parents) took the opportunity to go somewhere "nice".

Thank you, Covid, hopefully an element of normality will return for 2022.