josie23

Why don't you ask him???? If you want him everyone to enjoy the trip why don't you include him in the plans??

Talk about what everyone wants, rides, sights, camping, hiking, shopping, whatever. And start making lists that include something for him as well as mom and dad. If you let him know that his idea of a vacation is as important as yours you will have a much better time.

Cats_Do_Dance

I also forgot to add the importance of including your son in the planning. The Spring Break of third grade was the turning point for vacations in our house. We went to DC and for good measure, checked out a book called DC For Kids (by Fodors or Frommers, I always forget). Best decision we ever made. The anticipation for the trip was a shared experience and the vacation itself was a wonderful mix of something everybody wanted to do. We have always included our daughter in on travel plans since.

BTW -If you know bringing along a friend will really drive you crazy, DON'T. It sounds great, but if having an extra teenager along slowly drives you mad, YOUR vacation experience will be diminished too.

I also believe if in the future family vacation time becomes nothing more than hearing "I'm bored" or "I wish my friends were here" or listening to the constant sighing of a teenager in "love", then the time has come for Mom/Dad vacation time ALONE (provided you can find a responsible person to keep an eye out on things on the home front of course).