- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- iparenting canada articles
- iparenting canada q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
My Way on the Highway
Easing the Tension When Traveling with Preteens
By Sue Marquette Poremba
Life with preteens can be frustrating and challenging no matter where you are, but especially so during the intense family time of a vacation. While everyone needs to make concessions to life on the road, it can be harder for the preteen and the parent. Adjusting to life with a preteen in the family is difficult enough without it being magnified in the tight quarters of a hotel room or a minivan.
The idea behind a family vacation is for the family to enjoy spending time together, away from the stresses of everyday life. So what can parents do to ensure a pleasurable trip for everyone?
"Make sure that you plan the trip as a team," says Debbie Mandel, author of the Weekly Wellness Newsletter. "There is great creative energy in a team, and preteens need to get to voice their opinions about the trip. So don't load them up with purely adult vistas to explore like museums or ancient excavations. Some of these culturally enriching activities provide great exposure for kids – but in small doses! Make sure after a loaded morning's worth of touring that in the afternoon, kids can swim, see a movie, go shopping for souvenirs or go to an arcade."
