Holiday rules for 16yos??

[Knittingforteapots]

About to go abroad with DDs (19 & 16) and 16yo’s friend. (Oldest DC’s friend couldn’t come at the last minute). I have 2 issues - how much do I let the youngest go off on their own (we’re staying about a 10 minute taxi ride from town). And how much do I encourage the three of them to do things together? (Difficult time with XH - older DD more affected).

Don’t want to be too lax or too strict. And also all of us have as good a time as possible!

Depends where you’re going but in general I wouldn’t encourage them to do anything together, If they want to they will.
At 16 I’d let them do their own thing. Set expectations for things like dinner together in the evening and always be reachable via phone but apart from that, let them enjoy their holiday.

Check with the 16 year olds parents that they’re ok going to town by themselves

Thanks both. Makes sense - cracking down unlikely to be popular. Am just nervous around them going off somewhere random - and the dynamics between us all.

You definitely need to have a conversation with DC's parents about what rules will apply on holiday, then a conversation with all the kids to make sure everyone is on the same page before you travel.

E.g Can go off alone within a certain area & timescale, but you all travel to /from town together every time?

A lot depends on the place you're staying e.g a private villa or an AI hotel?