To wonder if good holidays with teens are possible

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Last year we went to the Lakes, they moaned, this year we went to the Netherlands, they moaned. They wind each other up, doing an activity, cycling, water sports etc they get on okay, but in between is painful. I just wonder why I bother. I always thought a successful family was one where they want to continue going on holiday with you as young adults. My 14 year old wants to be at home with her friends. Is it worth it? It almost seems it doesn't matter what we do, it doesn't work...

Currently having a great camping trip.
Teens are at home!

A Cruise. Great holiday for all ages. Everyone can do their own thing all day and get together for dinner.
Perfect holiday.

Unless none of you would ever want to go on a cruise😳

I’d highly recommend Neilson holidays for teens. Expensive but loads of other teens there, lots of free activities and inclusive dining. They can do sailing, kayaking etc or just silly games in the pool. Works well for us.

My 14 & 12 year olds also just want to be with their mates. But I consider this an absolute win to be honest. They do what they're happy doing, mostly making TikTok's at the park with friends; I do what I'm happy doing, sport, more sport and lots of blissful peace. I have no desire to go anywhere whilst we're all here being happy.

I agree, we been on two cruises with our 3 teens, and they were the best holidays we ever had. Activities to join or not as you wanted, food to suit everyone, great trips, we had a fab time. Cruising has been the only holidays where my teens didn't argue (too much!), despite the fact all 5 of us shared one cabin. Their favourite thing to do was shuffleboard!

We’ve just had an amazing holiday with our 13 (nearly 14) year old DD. It was an activity holiday abroad. We had a large chalet and if she didn’t want to take part in anything we gave her the freedom to sleep in or just chill out. We were never any more than 30 minutes away from her. We also did 3 days where she chose exactly what activity she wanted us all to do and it was really fun! She came shopping with me and had involvement in cooking the food. To be honest it’s been one of the best holidays I’ve ever had with her. Giving her choices and independence was definitely the key.

City breaks are my recommendation at that age

Never had an issue. Mine are two years apart, since 2017 our holidays have been just us three and they've all been brilliant. One of my two is disabled, neither is NT and we all get on like a house on fire - the key is not to overschedule and to build in lots of chill time.

My two teens always, without exception, made loads of friends around the pool when we went abroad. They always loved it, had the best time.

Neilson holidays are worth every penny with teens. And tweens. And little ones. Everyone has a great time.

We went to The Lakes earlier this year with 13 and 15 (nearly 14 and 16) yo's and had a lovely time!

They went outdoor rock climbing, we went to hadrians wall and housteads fort, aria falls, Beatrix potters house, a 10 mile walk round derwent water and the pencil museum.

I let them lie in in the morning whilst I took the dog for a walk and then we had lovely days together. DD2 is desperate to go camping in this lovely weather but I'm working 🥲

Just had our AI holiday to Greece canx and I haven't told them yet as trying to find an alternative as they are looking forward to it so much

We just got back from Bavaria with a 14 and 16 year old. Stayed in a an Air bnb.
Had a great time

Often teens want to do massively different things on holiday to adults, and they don't care that its cost an absolute fortune. My tactic now is that they bring a friend, or its really cheap (youth hostel) so I don't mind if they just sit on WiFi all day.

Mark Warner, Neilson or Club Med. Spendy but worth every penny.

Our holidays with DD were generally great... perhaps helps she's an only! We did a fortnights Neilson most of her secondary school years, great because she could do things with us /youngsters / other adults. We also did holidays to wales (beaches, walking, castles etc) , Mull for wildlife (so good she asked to go back the next year), and places like Rome, Paris, sorrento in the half terms or Easter. Once to the northern lakes, the south is a day trip. And some boating holidays - Norfolk broads, Caledonian canal.

Another vote for a cruise. Pick one that’s geared up for teenagers so say Royal Caribbean and they will have a whale of a time. Lots of other teens, loads to do and all sorts of different food whenever you want it.
DH wasn’t keen at first, but once he went he loved it. People will say it’s too busy, but even during school holidays you can find quiet spots if that’s what you want.

Oddly they are not that outdoorsy (other than dd2 and her cloning which is normally indoors). I think I just project an air of 'fucking get on with it' and there's a pub tea at the end of the day 😂

Yes. Just got back from a nice week with 18 & 14 year old. They've been vile to eachother for the last 6 months, but were so pleasant to eachother this time it unnerved me a bit. We did lots of activities, go-carting and coasteering, so they liked that!

Ours always enjoyed it, and DS 17 is planning on coming away for a week in the UK with us this summer. He's not the easiest of individuals at home (hates school, just wants to be with mates or on phone/XBox) however, he's generally cheerful and fairly amenable when we're away. He'll happily wander round a National Trust property or museum, likes the fact that we eat out a lot, is pleasant to other adults and old ladies. He's much younger than the other DC and so is fairly used to being on his own and will probably be spending most evenings either watching TikTok, Netflix or scrolling through stuff on his phone. I used to spend a lot of evenings either doing jigsaws, playing card games/board games with him when he was younger, but thankfully he's now quite scornful at the idea of doing that for entertainment.

Agree with @pointythings that the key is probably to have a mix of things to do, places to go and times to just let them chill and do their own thing.

Just got back from Austria with 10, 14 and 17 year olds. They enjoyed the outdoor pools, swimming lake with inflatables to jump off, huge zip wire down a mountain, go karts driven down a mountain and best of all a mountain coaster (an individual carriage on a rail you control yourself) also down a mountain.

Les Ormes (also called Domaine Des Ormes) in France (loads to do including pool parties etc etc)

Thanks we tend to self cater and I expect them to help wash up, maybe that's where we are going wrong! I guess it's just like them to feel grateful and less entitled. I think planning more chill time is what is needed, they are all bringing friends to a festival we are going to later in the summer, and friends are key. I just hoped they would also enjoy family time too. I probably have over high expectations having planned this trip for 9 months.