Weekend getaways are times to kick back and relax, but short weekend getaways with a moody tween can be more complicated than you thought.
The tween years can be challenging. Your tween’s hormones begin to fluctuate as they approach puberty, resulting in emotional ups and downs and, yes, moodiness. Tweens also lack the emotional maturity necessary to exert complete control over their feelings. In other words, they say exactly how they feel. When these ingredients are combined, some friction between tween, mom, dad, and siblings can result.
Here are a few tips from Sonia Prades, a psychologist specialising in family relationships, on how to ensure a stress-free weekend getaway with your tween:
Let your tween know the plans
Setting off on a spontaneous weekend trip with carefree plans to take things as they come may not be the best solution when going with tweens. It’s better to talk to your tween beforehand about what’s in store, set the limits and make expectations clear (rules, timekeeping, pace, activities). This can help keep tempers calm once you arrive at your destination.
Choose a child-friendly destination
It can be hard to keep everyone happy with one specific kind of weekend getaway. Renting a remote property may appeal to parents, but it’ll be much less fun for tweens unless they bring a friend. However, young people can meet others at weekend resorts and socialise more easily.
Spend quality time together
Tweens shouldn’t be left entirely to their own devices since they need to feel that they have a place within the family. This place in the family can be created by sharing specific activities chosen together. Instead of taking charge of all the weekend activities, get your tween involved by asking them to decide what activities they would like to do.
Give your tween some spending money
Pocket money is important as it gives tweens a feeling of independence. You can very well just give a small amount and only once a day throughout the weekend getaway.
Be clear of your expectations
Inconsistent attitudes are common on weekend getaways and can easily cause arguments. Allowing a late night out then reproaching your tween for getting out of bed at midday isn’t coherent. The same goes for tablets and smartphones. Why should a tween switch off their gadget if the adults are constantly glued to a device? It is best to have the same rules for everyone, with all devices put down at certain times (meals, activities, etc.). Plus, everyone can enjoy a video or a movie together rather than using individual devices.
