Travel Angst or Travel Bliss

Travel planning with a teen

We are currently planning our next adventure. When I first told my 17 year old about my plans for our next adventure, he didn't seem very enthusiastic. I left him alone for a while to process my idea.

He came back with some concerns. I kept reassuring him that we would work this out between us so it was acceptable to everyone.

Yesterday we sat down and talked about what he needed to make the trip desirable. The original plan was to go through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri and down to Texas to get to Mexico. He stated that this would be a horrible trip! There was nothing to see there and it would be boring! He said he wasn't keen on seeing American Walmarts and McDonald's restaurants. So I asked, what should we do then? He went and thought about it.

When he came back he asked instead of taking the bus to Manitoba, can we take the bus to Los Angeles. That's a place I'd really like to see. It's in one of my games (he's a gamer). I said we could see what the difference in price would be. Turns out it's about the same cost!

He also brought some concerns to the table about traveling with the littles. His younger brothers are 7 and 4. We addressed those concerns and thought together about how we could manage the things he was concerned about. We talked about our plan B and our exit plan should things go awry. I am in awe that he can bring things to me and we can work through them.

By working together and talking it through like the (almost) adult that he is, we managed to find something that was agreeable for both of us!

As a parent who travels alone with her children, I really need his help when we are traveling and I really need him to be on board with our plans. Traveling with a miserable teen who doesn't want to be there is awful! I'd much rather work together as a partnership and figure out a plan!

My son has lived with his Dad for 3 years. His dad is very controling and agressive. We are just now working out our rhythm again. I am so glad to have him back home and he is happy to be here! It's a work in progress to be planning trips. The last time we traveled together he was a young 13. His older sister was the one who helped me plan. It is exciting for me to see the way his mind works and how helpful and thoughtful he is when it comes to planning our travels!