Amber & Robby | Travel with Teens

Now that we’re traveling with teens, there are a few things I wish I’d spent a whole lot LESS energy worrying about when they were younger.

Here are my 10:

1. How much elementary school they’d miss.
2. Spending money on trips they might not remember.
3. Whether they’d survive the long flight.
4. Whether we’d see and do everything.
5. Whether they’d behave perfectly.
6. Whether we’d stick to their normal routines.
7. Packing for every possible “what if.”
8. Whether they’d eat anything besides chicken nuggets.
9. Getting the perfect family photo.
10. Whether the destination was “kid-friendly” enough.

And here’s what I’d focus MORE on if I could do it all over again:

❤️ Finding the playground in every city.
❤️ Letting them have a say in our adventures.
❤️ Letting them carry their own backpack and order their own food.
❤️ Booking the hotel with the pool, even when it cost more.
❤️ Leaving room for slow mornings with no agenda.
❤️ Starting little travel traditions, like collecting a postcard from every trip and having them write their favorite memory on the back.
❤️ Getting in the photos, even when I didn’t love how I looked.

Because here’s what I’ve learned now that our kids are getting older:

The goal was never to give them perfect vacations. It was to raise kids who still WANT to travel with us when they’re old enough to have a choice.

Save this for your next trip, and send it to a parent who’s stressing about traveling with little kids.

Which worry would you cut first? Tell me below.

Follow @wandermadepossible for real-life family travel tips, honest budgets, and adventures with kids who aren’t so little anymore. ✈️