Anonymous wrote:Does anyone else feel like electronics are ruining our lives?

+1

Same here - went to the Carribean over Christmas, and they wanted to stay in the resort in their phones! Normal teen behavior, but we left them in the room and went to the beach. They eventually joined us. We also did surf lessons and some other fun things, so at least once a day for a few hours they were off their phones! Also, eventually they joined us out at the beach!

Does anyone else feel like electronics are ruining our lives?

On vacation with my 15 YO now as well, and the phone has been taken away. We did not pay this $$ and go to this trouble to travel for him to spend the entire time on phone. He can have it back when we return to Washington. Maybe.

I feel you OP, except it's my tween. We went to a high end all inclusive in the Caribbean over Christmas break, it was amazing, and all she did for the first half was sulk and throw temper tantrums. They had a teen club that she refused to consider. So eventually I introduced myself to other families with kids her age and then forced her to introduce herself. I purposefully picked another kid who seemed energetic and easy going. And it worked, my DD hit it off with this super fun girl and we let them run around the resort together. I didn't get to see much of her after that but at least she was having fun. At the end of the trip she was crying because we had to leave.

Do you see any other kids your teen's age there? Usually at resorts teens form groups and hang out together.

Anonymous wrote:Really nice resort, and the kid is being a total pain. Rude, wants to go home to hang with friends, won’t do anything, staying in room on phone etc. making me crazy. Any one else dealt with this? I’m inclined to just completely ignore at this point so we can enjoy the trip a bit.

Boy or girl?

What is there for him to do?

Deep sea fishing?
Surf lessons?
Diving
Kayaking

??????

What do you mean “inclined to ignore?” That IS what you NEED to do. Do not engage in the drama. Hell, I’d take the phone if being rude. “You don’t have to enjoy every minute, but you don’t get to be rude.”

Parent of 2 teens

My teen just groaned when he found out we were traveling for spring break and said he dosen't want to travel anymore. Over Christmas we traveled out of the country and we didn't allow any screens. That went for parents too. He was actually very pleasant when unplugged.

My sister used to do this but it was before the days of cells and the internet. She’d refuse to leave the room and want to sit there and read alone in protest of being on the family vacation. We would leave her in the room and go do things without her. She would have to come to family meals. It was much more pleasant as the other child not having her there than when she would be around complaining. Then we would start arguing and the entire family would be miserable.

A sibling of mine did this when we were teens. They are totally normal and pleasant now.

I'm sure smart phones don't make it any easier.

Just returned. I had the opposite. The only time that my DC left me alone was when I was in the bathroom. But I have also been in your shoes. My feeling is that if my kid is safe I can do whatever I want. Sometimes best thing is to let them sit and hang on their phone most of the day and plan events that you can tolerate and they can enjoy.

No has a younger sister they don’t hang out

Only child? If so, bring a friend next time

Really nice resort, and the kid is being a total pain. Rude, wants to go home to hang with friends, won’t do anything, staying in room on phone etc. making me crazy. Any one else dealt with this? I’m inclined to just completely ignore at this point so we can enjoy the trip a bit.