16yr olds......make then come on hols or let them stay home?

[Itsjustmeagainhello]

Grumpy teen DS 16 obviously says he doesn't want to come on family holiday this year. I feel that I should insist and he would probably enjoy it but he is saying he'd rather stay home. He is trustworthy so I'm not worried about parties or mischief. I just feel guilty leaving him and going off on holiday knowing he will prob just live off cheese toasties and crisps.

Do you insist your teens join you or is 16 old enough to leave them. I cant help but feel we should be doing stuff with him, not without him.

What do you do?

At 16 I was no longer going on holiday with parents i started going with them again in my late 20s with my partner and kids. I was quite capable at 16 though I knew how to cook and use the washing machine etc so it depends how capable he is. I loved it, the freedom and basically getting to live with my boyfriend for a couple of weeks.

At 16 I was looking after various (large) animals whilst my parents were away. I’m sure the neighbours had been primed in case I needed help.

You could try a weekend away leaving DS in charge as a trial run? He definitely won’t starve on cheese toasties and crisps.

And to add, my eldest is coming up to 28 and still loves family holidays but was not so interested at 16, so don’t worry too much about him missing out - just a part of growing up.

My parents left me for a week in 1980’s
i was 15 I didn’t mind in the least. House to myself,it was great! Also my mum trusted me and I had good friendship group.
I say go if you trust you DC,
it’s good to have a little response.Also at least you can face time .
better than having a grumpy sulky adolescence, ruining your holiday vibe.

My parents made me, I still remember it! I had no choice. I was a bit grumpy at times but there were also a lot of nice bits (and 20 years later, my grumpiness is the source of a lot of funny stories (I now think it's funny too)). But I was a relatively compliant kid i.e. I was grumpy but I wouldn't have actually done something horrible to sabotage the holiday or anything.

I let mine stay home from age 15 - his dad was close by but he didn't want to stay with him either so home it was. He was fine.

My kids came on holiday until they went to uni. We chose holidays together that they really wanted to come on. For example we did the Neilson beach resorts, where the DC could fill their boots with water sports every day. We did a flotilla holiday in Turkey with Neilson, which was a massive success.

We also went to Florida. They loved camping and insisted on a week in the Derbyshire Dales, where they happily walked the dog and fed us every evening with a BBQ.

I guess it’s about finding what your DS would enjoy.