Surviving Holiday Trips with Teens

Millions of families throughout the world will be hitting the highways, the rails, or the air this week as the busy holiday travel season reaches its peak. For many parents that means spending uninterrupted time with moody teens who would rather be any place, besides stuck in a minivan or plane with the entire family unit. So how can you make the most of a family vacation that spans hundreds of miles and costs thousands of dollars? Here are a few tips: Choose Your Destination Wisely. Do so by first getting input from your teens on where they would like … Continue reading

Teen-Friendly Outdoor Fun

Traveling with a teen is not always a pleasant experience. However, if you plan your trip so it (or at least part of it) appeals to your son or daughter’s fearlessness, innate competitiveness and curiosity, then there’s a very good possibility that your weekend together could be one to remember… in a good way. The following activities are ideal for teens, who enjoy spending time in the outdoors and aren’t afraid of physical challenges: ROCK CLIMBING There are numerous state and national parks that offer rock-climbing opportunities, such as Joshua Tree National Park in California and Custer State Park in … Continue reading

Ways to Save Money on Vacation

Settling on a vacation spot everyone in the family can agree upon is only half the battle. Once you know where you are going there is the challenge of budgeting for transportation, meals, souvenirs and other incidentals. The following tips are ones I have compiled from my own family’s cross-country adventures. Some may seem a bit obvious, but the fact is they are effective and have served us well over the years. Hopefully they can do the same for your family as well. COUPON BOOKS. Never underestimate the power of a coupon. I used to completely ignore those kiosks loaded … Continue reading