Teenage Brothers

[ILMICKEY]

Hello, this is my very first post. So if I haven't done it right, let me know.

I have 2 teenage sons, 14 and 16 . They are as different as day and night. 14 is athletic, popular and likes to think he is the tough guy. 16 is more booky, is in orchestra and only has a few friends. We are going to WDW in November. I would really like the boys to buddy up and hang out together. We were there with them 2years ago and they never left our sides, they just plain do not get along. Does anyone have any suggestions to get them together so me and the hubby can have a little alone time to explore the things they call boring??

 

[badblackpug]

Give them a cell phone (only one for the 2 of them) tell them "Dad and I are going to (insert activity here), we will meet you at (insert time here). We will call you at intervals during the day, we expect you to stay together."
They are old enough to work the rest out.

 

[Darcy03231]

If they truly do not get along forcing them to be together will only make the problem worse, not better, and could really put a damper on your vacation (and I speak from experience here). Is there anything at all they agree on? Do they like the same kind of rides/shows/activities? If so, maybe you could plan to do what you want to do and let them go off and do the rides they want to do. Also, I would only do it for a few hours and not all day. I found that worked marginally well as they knew they weren't stuck with each other all day. We're now at the point where we do a Mom and Dad vacation and leave the kids at home and a family vacation where everyone stays together each year. Hope it all works out for you.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

If they do not get along at all then a vacation is not going to change that. Maybe you could start some stuff at home like maybe an activity that they both will enjoy so that they spend more time together before you go and will want to be with each other. Good Luck!

 

[Hannathy]

I am totally different than my sister and we still aren't buddy buddy.Your boys may never be either, we get along and can do things together for short periods like a weekend is ok a week isn't! I do think they could tolerate and cooperate for a short period on vacation. They are not little kids have you talked to them about what you would like to do? It is every bodies vacation and has the right to pick the activity and be happy. Have you said Dad and I would like to take this tour or go golf by ourselves and need you to spend the day together at a park or at the water park. If they resist -first I would complain at them and lay a little ungrateful beings guilt on them, then I would say well that's what is going to happen so let's figure out a way to work it out.

How about a day at Disney quest they could be together but separate, play diff. games but stay in the same general area/floor. Or a waterpark same sort of thing, or even an afternoon at the pool at your hotel. I wouldn't hope for miracles but I think they can work something out for a bit. Now I wouldn't plan it for everyday, I meant a few hours or a day.

 

[jdsmom97]

OMG! I thought you were talking about my boys 9 and 10. Everything you said was identical! You have to make sacrafices to pay for the trip so perhaps they could make a sacrafice and get along alone for a bit if they would like to join you on vacation! Sorry to hear it doesn't get any easier. I do know my boys get along better when we aren't around. Good luck.

 

[Deesknee]

We have similiar situation. We have triplets. bbg. The boys are complete opposites. However, at WDW we all get along great. A matter of fact, that is the #1 reason we tell people when they ask why we go to WDW all the time for vacation.
They compromise. DS#1 hates stomach dropping rides. DS#2 hates ghost rides, but loves roller coaster rides. They compromise. They check out the girls together. They eat junk food together. They do alot of rides together. Of course they do have their sister to torment, that brings them together. lol
Remember 2 years makes a big difference at that age.
Good luck let us know how it turns out.