5 Reasons Traveling with Older Kids Can Be Frustrating

We often hear that as kids grow older, family vacations become a breeze. But after my recent trip with my teenagers, I’m starting to think those people might not actually have kids—or they might just have pets they send off to a kennel while they relax poolside with fruity drinks. Sure, there are some perks to traveling with older kids, like not having to haul around a mountain of baby gear or worry about nap schedules. But let me tell you, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Here are a few realities that quickly dashed my hopes of a peaceful getaway:

1. Packing with a Teenager is a Nightmare

At first, I thought I hit the jackpot when my son insisted on packing for himself. Little did I know, he has inherited his father’s questionable fashion sense. Trying to convince him to pack something nice for family photos? Forget it. It’s like asking him to wear a tuxedo to a barbecue. The struggle is real when you realize that just suggesting a decent outfit turns into a full-blown rebellion.

2. Time Awareness Doesn’t Help During Long Drives

Those days of “Are we there yet?” being answered with fun distractions are long gone. Now my kids know exactly how long the trip will take and still ask the question every ten minutes. It’s even worse when they decide to use their devices at the worst possible times, draining their batteries before we even reach the halfway point. And did I mention naps? Yeah, those are a thing of the past too.

3. Every Minute Needs to Be Scheduled

My older kids seem to think vacations are all about their whims. They’re not paying for anything, yet they have a full itinerary planned that includes everything from renting wave runners to ice cream after every meal. It doesn’t matter that I want to sneak in a little shopping or relax at the beach. My plans are irrelevant to their packed agenda.

4. Vacation Photos Are a Hassle

Gone are the days of cute family photos. Now, if it’s not a selfie, my kids act like it’s the end of the world. Trying to capture memories of us at iconic locations? You’d think I was asking them to walk across hot coals. I just want to prove that I’m a fun mom, not a total buzzkill—but their reluctance to cooperate makes it feel like a lost cause.

5. Playing in the Sand is So Yesterday

Remember when my kids used to love building sandcastles with me? Now, they’ve upgraded their fun to hanging out with their cool uncle while I’m left digging a hole solo. It’s a lonely sight, and naturally, that’s the one photo someone else takes—the only one I’m in—and I look ridiculous.

So, if anyone tells you that traveling with teenagers is easier, I’m not sure I’ll believe them. Maybe next time, I’ll just consider finding a kennel for my kids too.

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Summary

Traveling with older kids can be a mixed bag of challenges and minor victories. From packing struggles to their insatiable need for control over vacation plans, it can be a far cry from the easy trips we fantasize about. But despite the frustrations, there’s always a lesson in patience and understanding.