Who doesn’t occasionally fantasize about being whisked away to a far-flung destination on someone else’s dime?

A teen, that’s who.

Granted, this phenomenon is not universally exhibited by all teens; some love to travel and are more than happy to do so with their parents. But for others a week or two spent away without friends, Facebook, and texting marathons can seem interminable. Some teens take to pouting, whining, and sulking to insure that everyone remains aware that they are unhappy. Parents eager to not do battle with their teens every step of the trip are wise to address the problem before ever leaving home—but how?

Fodor’s member grucci recently asked fellow travelers in our Forums for tips about making a large family trip to Italy more appealing for a 16-year-old teen girl who’s reluctant to go. As expected, members’ responses varied widely; some argued that teens shouldn’t be catered to, while others offered up suggestions and compromises that worked for their own families.

Katie Hamlin manages the lively community at Fodors.com and lives in New York City. Read the rest of her article Six Tips for Traveling with Surly Teens on Fodors.com.

November 19th, 2009 | by travelsavvymom 1 comment