Taking 15 year old girl to Europe for first time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an almost 15 year old DD and she is also not really into the museums/history. We just got back from the UK and Paris. The trip wasn't for her - she just had to come along because there wasn't anyone to leave her with. The only parts she really enjoyed were (as expected) the Harry Potter Museum, Madama Tussauds and Disneyland Paris. She also loved shopping in London. It was honestly kind of a drag taking her to Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, St. Chappelle, etc.

DH and I have decided that we are shelving Europe/further until our kids are in college. They aren't ungrateful, they just don't really enjoy the trips and it doesn't make sense to keep taking them. They can take themselves later when they mature more (if they even want to go.)

But try to take your kids to some well done, interactive museums in the U.S. then. Make sure they have read a book or have some background. Otherwise they will grow up to be the same type of adult.

I have 2 siblings and we all grew up in the same house, went to the same schools, had the same opportunities. We are wildly different people and have been since we were kids. One of my siblings was like OPs kid, and still is like that. I was the reader of the family, always interested in learning and seeing new things. Still am. My kids are also wildly different and have been since pretty much birth. You are fooling yourself if you think you can manufacture a kid who will be interested in things because you are.

Kids... 30, 27, 24, 21. All spent huge numbers of hours in museums and at national parks during time at home, and all enjoy them now. Been there, done that. (But I didn't just march my kids into every random place; we read and learned history, etc. at home before visiting. Even watching "Horrible Histories" for my youngest made places like the Tower of London, the Globe or the Roman baths in Bath really fun, for example.)

Vacations should cater a little bit to everyone's interests, but everyone should be stretched as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My teenage daughter's London favorites were Borough Market, a scone making class and tea at Sketch.

I was about to recommend tea at Sketch. It is SUCH a cool place.

Definitely not your grandmother's tea, though your grandmother would love it all the same. Such style - all the rooms are interesting, the ballerina - an entirely cool environment. Went at Christmas and it did not disappoint.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an almost 15 year old DD and she is also not really into the museums/history. We just got back from the UK and Paris. The trip wasn't for her - she just had to come along because there wasn't anyone to leave her with. The only parts she really enjoyed were (as expected) the Harry Potter Museum, Madama Tussauds and Disneyland Paris. She also loved shopping in London. It was honestly kind of a drag taking her to Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, St. Chappelle, etc.

DH and I have decided that we are shelving Europe/further until our kids are in college. They aren't ungrateful, they just don't really enjoy the trips and it doesn't make sense to keep taking them. They can take themselves later when they mature more (if they even want to go.)

But try to take your kids to some well done, interactive museums in the U.S. then. Make sure they have read a book or have some background. Otherwise they will grow up to be the same type of adult.

I have 2 siblings and we all grew up in the same house, went to the same schools, had the same opportunities. We are wildly different people and have been since we were kids. One of my siblings was like OPs kid, and still is like that. I was the reader of the family, always interested in learning and seeing new things. Still am. My kids are also wildly different and have been since pretty much birth. You are fooling yourself if you think you can manufacture a kid who will be interested in things because you are.

Kids... 30, 27, 24, 21. All spent huge numbers of hours in museums and at national parks during time at home, and all enjoy them now. Been there, done that. (But I didn't just march my kids into every random place; we read and learned history, etc. at home before visiting. Even watching "Horrible Histories" for my youngest made places like the Tower of London, the Globe or the Roman baths in Bath really fun, for example.)

Vacations should cater a little bit to everyone's interests, but everyone should be stretched as well.

Nerds

[Anonymous]

Some of you are boring. My childhood hobby was shopping I went to Parsons and have my own clothing line. Paris and London are wonderful even if she is not interested in going to museums all day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an almost 15 year old DD and she is also not really into the museums/history. We just got back from the UK and Paris. The trip wasn't for her - she just had to come along because there wasn't anyone to leave her with. The only parts she really enjoyed were (as expected) the Harry Potter Museum, Madama Tussauds and Disneyland Paris. She also loved shopping in London. It was honestly kind of a drag taking her to Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, St. Chappelle, etc.

DH and I have decided that we are shelving Europe/further until our kids are in college. They aren't ungrateful, they just don't really enjoy the trips and it doesn't make sense to keep taking them. They can take themselves later when they mature more (if they even want to go.)

But try to take your kids to some well done, interactive museums in the U.S. then. Make sure they have read a book or have some background. Otherwise they will grow up to be the same type of adult.

I have 2 siblings and we all grew up in the same house, went to the same schools, had the same opportunities. We are wildly different people and have been since we were kids. One of my siblings was like OPs kid, and still is like that. I was the reader of the family, always interested in learning and seeing new things. Still am. My kids are also wildly different and have been since pretty much birth. You are fooling yourself if you think you can manufacture a kid who will be interested in things because you are.

Kids... 30, 27, 24, 21. All spent huge numbers of hours in museums and at national parks during time at home, and all enjoy them now. Been there, done that. (But I didn't just march my kids into every random place; we read and learned history, etc. at home before visiting. Even watching "Horrible Histories" for my youngest made places like the Tower of London, the Globe or the Roman baths in Bath really fun, for example.)

Vacations should cater a little bit to everyone's interests, but everyone should be stretched as well.

Nerds

I'm so insulted...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I wouldn't take her to the Victoria & Albert..."

Disagree and you've obviously not gone through the V&A very thoroughly:

"Spanning five centuries, our Fashion collection is the largest and most comprehensive collection of dress in the world. Key items in the collection include rare 17th century gowns, 18th century ‘mantua’ dresses, 1930s eveningwear, 1960s daywear and post-war couture."

AND

"The V&A has one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of jewellery in the world. Over 3,000 jewels tell the story of jewellery in Europe from ancient times to the present day."

If there is ONE museum in Europe I would recommend for OP & daughter it would be the V&A.

Yes but it's all older stuff and it will feel stuffy to a kid who doesn't care about history unless she has an interest in historical fashion. The Dior museum is smaller and more focused, and inludes more modern items. V&A takes a few hours (or more), and isn't fashion focused -- it's got everything from silverware to tapestries to paintings and sculpture. It's also huge.

I love the V&A but would not take a kid who wasn't interested in history and had a general aversion to museums. Even if she enjoyed the fashion stuff for 20 minutes, if she was going to complain the rest of the time, it wouldn't be worth it to me. If I really wanted to go, I'd plan to take her to the fashion part first and then split time with my spouse hanging out with her in the store or cafe while we each took a bit of time to visit other parts of the museum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP and her daughter sound like a waste of space. Seriously.

I’m sure you’re a prize.

She’s not wrong tho.

She IS wrong.

[Anonymous]

I also have a 15 year old and we travel to Europe a lot. My kid likes history and museums but there is plenty else in Europe if you are not into that. We also love trying new food (especially pastries), going to markets, just walking around scenic places. The vibe is so different from American cities that she might just enjoy taking it all in. London, Paris, Rome, the Christmas markets in Germany, Belgium or Austria... you can't really go wrong.

Even though she doesn't like museums maybe she should like a fashion museum? You could try looking for those.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an almost 15 year old DD and she is also not really into the museums/history. We just got back from the UK and Paris. The trip wasn't for her - she just had to come along because there wasn't anyone to leave her with. The only parts she really enjoyed were (as expected) the Harry Potter Museum, Madama Tussauds and Disneyland Paris. She also loved shopping in London. It was honestly kind of a drag taking her to Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, St. Chappelle, etc.

DH and I have decided that we are shelving Europe/further until our kids are in college. They aren't ungrateful, they just don't really enjoy the trips and it doesn't make sense to keep taking them. They can take themselves later when they mature more (if they even want to go.)

But try to take your kids to some well done, interactive museums in the U.S. then. Make sure they have read a book or have some background. Otherwise they will grow up to be the same type of adult.

I have 2 siblings and we all grew up in the same house, went to the same schools, had the same opportunities. We are wildly different people and have been since we were kids. One of my siblings was like OPs kid, and still is like that. I was the reader of the family, always interested in learning and seeing new things. Still am. My kids are also wildly different and have been since pretty much birth. You are fooling yourself if you think you can manufacture a kid who will be interested in things because you are.

Kids... 30, 27, 24, 21. All spent huge numbers of hours in museums and at national parks during time at home, and all enjoy them now. Been there, done that. (But I didn't just march my kids into every random place; we read and learned history, etc. at home before visiting. Even watching "Horrible Histories" for my youngest made places like the Tower of London, the Globe or the Roman baths in Bath really fun, for example.)

Vacations should cater a little bit to everyone's interests, but everyone should be stretched as well.

Nerds

I'm so insulted...

I'll translate PP's comment for you. "Cultured people."

Honestly, I can't believe there are people raised to believe that interest in culture or history is somehow weird. If this is the case, save your money, stay home, and go to the mall.