I am on a domestic vacation. My teenager has proved to be one of my best tools to pack. Trouble downloading electronic tickets due to COVID requirements - just ask the teen. Problem solved in less than 5 minutes. Road Atlas doesn’t show enough detail - just ask the teen. Some sort of phone app. provides timely instructions while driving along. Some sort of GPS thing.
I did manage to make online restaurant reservations myself.
Big smile. Even better than a teen is a 24 year old! At this age he doesn't think I am stupid anymore and he can drive an international rental car.
Oh, I don’t have a teen, can I rent yours?
Barbara,
Some basic conditions apply. First, I need her for a few more days to get through this vacation. Then, as long as you promise to feed her, be kind to her and pay her transportation costs - you can “employ” her at no further costs until school starts in mid-August.
I agree that teens are good but twenty something's are better. As much tech knowledge, but without the attitude. And some may even get out of bed in the morning without nagging.
Excellent, sun. How does she feel about cats?
“Road Atlas doesn’t show enough detail - just ask the teen. Some sort of phone app.”
Aka… Google Maps 😂
A kid at any age is a great asset, in so many ways. I’d still be in the 20th century technology-wise without mine.
Teen? My 11 year old grandson shows me all the “shortcuts” on my phone + he wants me to organize all my Apps into folders 😬. All while on a camping vacation.
Also,, still on vacation, while riding”shotgun” with Grandpa, traffic came to a standstill. He found an alternative route to their destination.
Teen? My 11 year old grandson shows me all the “shortcuts” on my phone
Carol - I was about to say something similar about my 11 year old great-nephew! They must love it when we actually need their help to navigate through technology.
Teens probably even get into many museums and sights for a lower admission price, saving money for whomever is paying. That leaves more cash for refreshments.
Speaking of that, and not meaning to suggest any medical, moral, legal, or other compromises, but do teens ever “benefit” traveling with an older person by getting to sample some local beer or wine while on vacation?
Sounds like a bargain…..
We walk out of a restaurant in Belfast after a full day of sightseeing, I say to my son, “we’ll walk up to the main road and get a cab back to the hotel.” I turn around and he says, “I got an Uber, it will be here in a sec” as it pulls up. My first Uber ride.
It’s a marvelous thing to have 20 somethings that can solve technology problems and be great pals and travel companions. As I sit halfway across the country from home traveling with my two 24 yr olds and visiting my 30 yr old and his wife and new babe.
My teen is neutral about pets. She’s cheap to feed. Likes any kind of ramen including the cheapo 50 cent pack version and chick-fil-a. Not an outdoorsy person.
I'll take a teen or 20 something any day. By 30 something, I seem to just get the eye roll. They are too busy to try and think what your needs are to help.
Maybe my 7 year old grand daughter can do it for all of us....or I have to struggle on my own until she is 11.
Concur with all the “pack a teen/20-something advice!!!”
My husband has a computer science degree and can build a computer. I have many years in the IT business world. Yet, still we go, iPhones humbly in hand, to our daughters (ages 16 and 26), saying, “how do I…..” on a scary regular basis.
I just love this thread. It is making me smile as I see people proud of and a bit awed by their kids and grandkids. (And I am sure the same is true in reverse, even if they hide it sometimes.)
Love it !
wow! That was our experience when we too 2 of our grandsons(16 and 18) to NYC for a birthday and graduation trip. We'd still be looking for our hotel if it wasn't for them!
My dad would have surely been lost without me when I went to Paris with my parents in 2019. Everything from picking the hotel, to lime scooters, to Uber rides I introduced him to on the trip. Even though he had been to Paris some 40 years earlier, it seemed I knew my way around the city better even though it was my first visit.
Even though I’m pretty tech savvy, it’s nothing compared to my 8 year old niece. I’m amazed by how much she knows how to do already. I hope to take her around traveling one day and I’m sure she is going to teach me plenty when it happens
do teens ever “benefit” traveling with an older person by getting to sample some local beer or wine while on vacation?
Cyn,
Ours certainly did. She's 26 now and a responsible adult (ICU nurse) so I don't think we corrupted her too badly. lol
I am going to add one more advantage of the 20 something over the teen - she pays her own way now and still provides tech assistance!
I am going to add one more advantage of the 20 something over the teen
- she pays her own way now and still provides tech assistance!
My youngest recently graduated from university and so we were able to make the announcement that the Bank of Mom and Dad is now closed. The outrage was loud, especially when we told them that they were welcome to still vacation with us, but on their own dime. I have to wonder if they'll be holding our electronics hostage when a problem comes up.
"I did manage to make online restaurant reservations myself." When the teenager needs an adult to pick up the tab. . .
As the mother of two teen girls, I am going to have to dissent. We have been leaving our teens at home lately and just travelling as a twosome. While we are not ruling out traveling with our teens in the future, it is much less expensive and hassle to travel without them for now. Plus, we can go while they are in school and prices are cheaper in Europe. Also, the weather is not as hot in spring or fall. Many more plusses to traveling without them, versus with them for now. And I'm sure some teens don't mind visiting art museums, but mine are not interested at this stage. On our last international trip, my oldest kept saying she was homesick for her dog. :(
Allan,
Thanks for the laugh. The idea of holding electronics hostage. Even worse, ransom ware. You will pay dearly.
Sun, your daughter sounds like a dream
Nice thing about teen/twenties -- if you move slowly enough, they will just pick up your bag and haul it so you can walk faster.
Thanks for this post. The humorous responses were fun to read.
I had to warn my wife to swallow her coffee this morning before reading her some of these posts.
We both immediately considered the benefits of taking teenaged grandchildren on a European tour, especially RS. Assuming the kids deserve and can can be trusted on a trip, they receive a priceless cultural experience (probably not appreciated for a decade but, hey, it happened), their parents get a two-week break (also priceless), and we'd get some support and quality time with them.
However, we'd have to borrow someone's grandkids.
Tom of MN is trying to figure out how to tour west point but notes they are still open to potential cadets, I encouraged him to come over here and read all of the benefits to borrowing a teenager
