Teenagers in New York City
New York City offers a virtual treasure chest of fun things for teens. This age group is generally the hardest to please and appease on vacation. They're too old for kid stuff and too young to appreciate more "grown-up" entertainment, and of course they don't want it to look like they're having too much fun. From amusement parks to Internet cafes, from bookstores to shopping malls and arcades, to sporting events and sports complexes, New York City is a city that is almost made for teenagers to enjoy.
The trick to enjoying your New York City vacation while making sure your teen enjoys their time in the city is commitment. Agree to go see the skateboard in the park if he or she will suffer in a museum with you. Each may find something to enjoy the other's activities. There are so many wonderful things to do and see in New York. You don't have to pay a lot of money to have a good time, as many of these wonderful events are offered free or for very little cost. You can also purchase passes that allow free entry to certain city attractions for a reduced fee. You will find that among the free offers, there is usually something that will appeal to multiple members of your family, including teenagers.
Compromise is a good idea on any vacation with friends or family, and it teaches your teens an important lesson: Your opinion is important to you. They also learn to commit, to share time and experiences, and to think critically. They are forced to weigh all the things they would like to do and select the ones that interest them the most. This is a very good thing for people to learn as soon as possible and it will be an invaluable lesson as they age and eventually begin to make their own decisions in life as well. I even try to give younger children a voice about what is happening. I offer age appropriate options and allow you to select the one that matters most to you.
Teens are often very difficult to please or predict and their desires can change between the time it takes to open a package of pop tarts and the time it takes to drop them into the toaster. Keep this in mind when planning with teens and go with the flow. You don't have to let your teenager rule your vacation, but by allowing them a voice in the decision-making process, everyone can learn some important and interesting things from each other.
Teenage girls are often easily distracted by shopping, while New York City has some of the hippest boutiques you may want to check out if you can convince her to go into some of them. You can call it 'vintage clothing' if you need to get her in the door, but you can get some amazing deals on clothes that look barely worn and she'll have some nice additions to your wardrobe for a fraction of the price. Costs if it is new. There are also some wonderful shopping malls in New York. The trick to buying at any of these stores is knowing the prices of things. Some things are great deals, while others are not.
Game Time Nation
Teen boys will have a blast at places like Game Time Nation, where they can play video games for hours on end. They can even try playing together if they are brave enough. Here's a fair warning: teenagers are brutal in their victories and you will never get over your failures in the gaming arena with them, so study beforehand.
The most important thing to remember about vacations with your teenager is that you would like them to have fond memories of your time together, even during their teens. Be careful to include them in your plans instead of making plans for them. It is time for them to be allowed to participate in the decision-making process to some degree, even if you allow one or the other option or ask them to list some things they would like to do and that you select from among them. If you're having fun, chances are they will eventually join.
