Camping Out Ideas

We are going on a camping trip and the 16 year old doesnt want to go?

She said no mp3 and no shower is NOT her idea of a good time and we can go and she can stay with a friend? Should she be coaxed gently into going or allowed to make her own choice?

Public Comments

1. I'd allow her to make her own choice, but try to show how fun camping could be (perhaps buy her some really cool gear).
2. You are the adult. What do you want her to do? Do not be afraid of your own child. You act like you're afraid she'll be mad or something. Teenagers are disagreeable often, especially about things that you think are fun. Once she gets there she may have a great time.
3. tell her she is a member of the family and has to do some family things, period. Let her take her mp3 player and soem things to do be herself, but she has to participate in group activities too. She will be 18 and at college soon enough, adnshe will miss the family togetherness.
4. Children have different ideas of "fun". And probably at 16 and a girl maybe camping isn't her thing. I would say when I was 16 camping wasn't my kind of idea of fun. Maybe she can stay with her friend and then you can go shopping with her or do something when she gets back for family time. At the age of 16 I think she is plenty old enough to stay with a friend while you vacation.
5. some camping spots have showers *you have to pay for them but they do and toilets and outlets to charge up her mp3s thats where my parents and i went for all the summers since i was 12 and i loved it !!
6. She lives in YOUR house, you're the boss... seems like you aren't telling her what you want her to do, she's telling you. To me, she shouldn't be given a choice. You planned the trip, she has to go. That simple.
7. babysisterchrissy has the answer i would give
8. I'd let her stay home. She'll be miserable & will probably make everyone else miserable.
9. My 16-year-old daughter actually loves camping, but if she didn't, I would not force her to come along. Sixteen is the age when children start to break away from doing EVERYTHING with the family - totally normal thing. When I was 16 a zillion years ago, I stopped wanting to go along with my parents for every little visit and event. Sometimes they wanted me to come, but other times they let me have a sleepover with a friend instead. And believe me, camping is not for everyone!
10. At 16, she's old enough to choose not to go. If she's gently forced...she will resent it and make the trip miserable for everyone else. Give her some freedom
11. In my opinon, no. Family is family. Times like this aren't always available, she'll have 50+ years after she's 18 to decide what to do with her time. For now, spending time as a family shouldn't be something to option out of. Warning, she could be a wet rag for the trip, but be sure to take lots of video of her immature pouting (if she's like that) and pictures. I did that to my teen when he was being a poo-poo baby at dinner. I showed him the video of how he looks when he acts that way, and he realized how stupid he acted. To encourage her, try to get her involved with planning activities she'd like (horse back riding, kyaking ) or find camping gear that would make her more comfortable, like an inflatable bed.
12. Have you said that this is a family activity?? If it is and she is a part of the family then I would say she has no choice. If you camp all the time, and you know she has somewhere else to stay that is safe and reliable, maybe it could be optional sometimes.
13. personally i am 17 and if i were you i would let her make that decision because if you make her go she will probably try to make you trip miserable.just make sure you talk to her friends parents because you have no idea what she could do while your gone.coming from a teen
14. The problem here is not your daughter, but you, her parents. Why? Because you seemed to be very concerned now that you have DECIDED to go on the trip. How about asking her and making a decision WITH her BEFORE even making such plans? Put yourselves in her position... I'm sure you could had "negotiated" with her if you had tried earlier but, now she's mad that you expect her to love the trip as much as you do. Think: why is she obligated to be as interested/enthusiastic about the vacation? As a parent, one needs to always be firm BUT ALSO be fair!
15. Let her stay with the friend. Camping is not for everyone, and while you want it to be family fun, she might be miserable. Choose another activity on some other weekend that everyone will want to do. And think if it as a chance to bond with your other child or children!
16. I think I'd be concerned about the "staying with a friend" bit. Do you have family you trust that she could stay with and offer that as a possible compromise. If not, do you know the friend and the friends' family? Do you feel okay about her staying with them? If she's the type that would go camping if you forced her and them make everyone miserable, I would think it'd be better to allow her not to go. I would also think it might be an idea to let her know you'll really miss her and would like her to think of something she'd like to do that the whole family would like to do together so you can do something with her as well.
17. If the freins is trustworthy, and you have talked to the parents and trust the family, then there is no reason she can't stay behind...Otherwise she has to go. She is only 16...not a legal adult.
18. SHE CAN BRING HER MP3 and somsplaces have showers.