Creating happy family Holidays!

What do you like to do on family holidays?
Perhaps it is is to visit the beach or spend a week in the country,
camping or visiting relatives?
Whatever you enjoy, family holidays are a chance for all of you
to get reacquainted and spend quality time together.
It's a chance for parents to really talk with their teens and find out

what's going on in their lives. It's important to keep the communication
lines open, and a family holiday is a good time to do that.
Having a good relationship with their parents is one of the most important factors
in keeping teens out of trouble.

Studies have shown that when families take holidays together,
they are more likely to eat together and are less likely to argue.
They do not watch as much television a break due to the fact that
they are more involved in doing things together.
Parents will be happy to learn that their Kids report that their parents
even seem to act differently while on holiday!

While family holidays are a good time to connect
with your kids, communication problems that are
already there will not automatically disappear.
Especially with teenagers it is important to listen and be flexible.
Find out what the kids would like to do. Eat and plan accordingly.
While even teenagers need boundaries, you being the parent,need to
try to avoid needless confrontation. Explain why you make the decisions
you do and show them positive attention.

Do include your kids in the in travel plans.
There's a good chance they will choose a theme park
or the beach if those are among the options.
Sometimes it works well for a teenager to take a special friend along
on family holidays.
While this might increase your load, the teen is likely to really appreciate it.
Also, think about including grandma or pa. This is likely to work well because of
a special relationship that can help kids open up and communicate
about their concerns.

While on family holidays, if your teens are uncooperative
or behave improperly, try to deal with the problem in private.
Teens are very aware of embarrassmant and it is needlessly mean to exploit
this sensitivity. In fact, you might explain to the kids how their behavior
embarrasses you, and they in turn might work harder at getting along
and acting appropriately.

Thrill your Kids by providing a variety of snacks, drinks, and entertainment.
Kids get restless easily and are not likely to enjoy a long ride in the car!
so if you can afford to, provide them with individual CD players or hand-held video games,
and don't forget to take plenty of bathroom stops.
Sometimes kids enjoy the ride more if they can help you follow the map.
This is an educational activity for them as well.
By following these suggestions, your family holidays
can make a happy memory.

Learn more about this author, Nadia Muyemba.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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