13 year old son will not come for day out

[tallulah07]

I paid for tickets for our whole family to go to Chessington as a treat for my two children (I cannot get a refund). My son REFUSES point blank to go - what can I do?? I can't physically force him into the car and I do not want to be miles out of Norfolk leaving him to his own devices! :-(

Going would be a must for us and I wouldn’t budge on that but I would be sympathetic to the fact that 13 year olds do just want to be with their friends a lot and that ‘family time’ becomes less appealing at that age. I’d suggest that he can ask a friend to join us (we have two DCs so have room in the car - not sure if this is an option for you) but I wouldn’t pay of course. The parents would need to pay. I remember being 12/13 taking a friend on ‘family’ trips all the time. And joining my friends too.

It's one day, he should be going. End of!

@MintJulia mine wouldn’t be tearing up the neighbourhood either, at 13 he would be coming with us, the option of us all staying at home and missing out would definitely not be on the table.

Exactly. Don't know how people don't have any control over their 13yo children. You would think they are referring to 18yo's here.

@Elmore do t be so ridiculously dramatic, I'm not sure the teen sound starve before he started following the rules?

Some parents still parent their 14 year olds and don't let them rule the house.

Others like yourself, well they shouldn't be giving parenting advice ...

Leave him. Take a friend

How far away do you work? Hours? Tricky journey?

And he hasn't been left that long before, so this wouldn't be the first time for me