Travel writer and mom of 3: tips for stress-free travel with teens

Traveling with teenagers requires more collaboration and flexibility than when they were younger. As a travel writer and mother of three (ages 15, 17, and 18), I've moved from surprise trips to seeking buy-in up front so family time doesn't end in long sighs and eye rolls.

One-on-one trips let me tailor itineraries to each child's interests and avoid sibling tensions. My middle kid loves fishing, so I plan solo trips that include fishing and visits to a fish hatchery — experiences his siblings would have found tedious but that he still talks about today.

When we're together I ask for their input. In Paris we skipped the Louvre and spent a day thrift shopping and visiting a wax museum because art museums and crowds aren't their thing; giving them choices builds buy-in and gives them things to look forward to, whether it's zip-lining or snorkeling later in the day.

France, Paris

teen travel, family travel, travel writer, solo trips, itineraries, teen input, fishing, fish hatchery, thrift shopping, wax museum