When is it time to pass the torch?

[DisCamper]

Today I was at my RV storage area, and noticed that two of the 3 families that travel to FW many times a year, have their RVs up for sale. After talking to one of the guys showing his motorcoach, he said his kids are now 13 & 15and don't want to spend time with their families camping or going to FW. Since the kids are growing up, the motorhome is sitting more than they are using it. He will really miss the time he spends at FW, but the expense is to high to travel without the whole family, so it is time to "Pass the Torch" to the next generation.

 

[jima53]

I think it is so sad that a 13 and 15 yo don't want to camp with their families anymore. Couldn't they just find another place that might interest all members of the family. I can understand teens getting tired of Disney but not giving up camping completely.


Jim

 

[FloridaTeacher]

Are you kidding???? My 16 1/2 year old and my 9 1/2 year old love Disney, Ft. Wilderness, and camping as much as my husband and me. Usually we have the 15 year old nephew too.

We recently asked our oldest where he'd like to go on vacation (thinking that he may want to go somewhere else)? He looked at us like we were crazy and said, without hesitation, Disney!

It is sad - I empathize and am so very blessed that my boys still love camping and hanging out their nerdy old parents!

 

[OK GRUMPY]

We have been going to FW since my son was 4 yrs old. He is know 20 and he drives down and meets us at FW. He might not stay as long but he still likes going. I agree it is really sad that there kids don't want to go anymore... maybe just giving it a break for awhile they might realize how much they miss the family camping trips.

 

[Mickster]

I camped with my parents when I was a kid - many times at FW. I even went camping after I was engaged (to FW!!) Although my DH is not a camper, my kids and I still go with my parents every year. Actually, we'll be back at the Fort on Tuesday with them! I know I can't wait for the fresh air and campfire and my kids are so excited to go camping. I hope they don't pass the torch any time soon!

There is something so cool about camping with your parents and your kids. Three generations!

 

[terri01p]

We camped while my kids were growing up and everyone loved it, when ever one of my dd turned about 17 she quit wanting to camp. So we went on several camping trips without her, she would just stay with her grandparents. Well now she's 22 and married and all she talks about is going camping. She will be going with us in April to WDW and she's so excited that's all she talks about. I 'm so glad back then that we never sold our tt because of her, even though we did talk about it. Sometimes I guess teens just want something else just to be wanting, they always circle back.

 

[JPG]

Kids don't know what they want nor should they be allowed to make those kinds of decisions. That's the problem with today's youth. Too many parents let them run the house. They get to do that when they are grown and on their on. In the meantime, its up to the PARENT to decide what is best. No matter whether that relates to vacation planning, the friends they keep, or otherwise. Ok....Rant mode off....

 

[Kathy5]

Next year, we are heading to Disney in our RV with our 13 year old. Our 32 year old and our 26 year old and her fiance are going to meet us there. We were thinking they would stay about a week , and after they left three of us would kick back and relax another week at FW. The way the kids are talking though we might never be alone!!!

Our kids love to go on vacation with us, Disney or not. BUT, let me say, one year we were headed to Disney and our oldest, who was 18 at the time, decided she didn't want to go. I said fine, stay home, which she did. We arrived at Disney and called home every day to see how things were going. By day three, she said she wished she had gone with us. I didn't rub it in her face, just said there would be a next time. She has never said no to an invitation since.

Kathy

 

[CCIntrigue]

I really don't understand the part about the expense being too high to travel without the whole family. And I agree with other posters that the kids shouldn't be allowed to make that decision! INMO this is a decision your friend will regret one day.

After many camping trips to WDW, a few years ago we went down for a few days for our son's wedding. Thought we'd save the expense and aggravation of towing the trailer down for a short trip, so we booked rooms at Port Orleans. We were miserable there! There's nothing like FW!

 

[CarolinaBlue]

We just started camping last year. My girls are 16 and 12 and they love it! I wouldn't let them make the decision for our family, though. That's up to DH and me. If mine didn't want to camp anymore, I'd just leave them with their grandparents!

 

[stillh2o]

I’ve have talked to others at FW say they where "Pass the Torch". So one day I had to ask what do you mean? This person said it mean we have had our fun the kids are all grown have left or are leaving it time for the next group to take the torch and run with it and have as much fun and memories on the way as we have had.

 

[OK GRUMPY]

Kids don't know what they want nor should they be allowed to make those kinds of decisions. That's the problem with today's youth. Too many parents let them run the house. They get to do that when they are grown and on their on. In the meantime, its up to the PARENT to decide what is best. No matter whether that relates to vacation planning, the friends they keep, or otherwise. Ok....Rant mode off....

Your right on with that!!

 

[auntie]

Kids don't know what they want nor should they be allowed to make those kinds of decisions. That's the problem with today's youth. Too many parents let them run the house. They get to do that when they are grown and on their on. In the meantime, its up to the PARENT to decide what is best. No matter whether that relates to vacation planning, the friends they keep, or otherwise. Ok....Rant mode off....

I respectfully disagree. I think most teens know what they want and they want some input to the family vacation. I realize that you can take the "I'm the parent, and you will do what I say" attitude..and make NO mistake..I absolutely feel that there are certain issues and times, in particular regarding behavior and school, and friends, that as a parent you have an obligation to your child to go that route. My kids know it and don't question it. That being said, of my three kids..some like to camp..some don't. It doesn't mean they run the house(everyone knows I do..just ask my husband ..haha!)just that my daughter in particular..never has cared for camping much. She has done her share of going anyway...,but they do reach a point where I was okay with either leaving her home..(with supervision of course)..or now that she is 19..she's fine to leave home on her own. Also kids get to certain ages where they have part time jobs..at least mine did. I am at that point yet again with our youngest. He is turning 16 this summer...he is not going to be want to accompany us much longer. We have had the past two years..of the "you're going anyway"..but now...you know what..I don't need him sucking the life out of what he thinks is a boring weekend. It takes ALOT of work to leave them behind..because you have to be up their butts(thank goodness for cell phones, and neighbors..and certain spies..yes we mothers cultivate friendships over the years..where we are able to place our informants in places that kids never give a second thought to! Ahh..yes..I could do employee training for the CIA..are you hearing that Mission Impossible theme? ) I guess I'm just saying that all kids are different. Some are gonna take to camping..and my youngest..well we have had a good long run with him. He used to love it..but they do get older. Giving them a little input into how the family spends vacation time..well it's not such a bad thing. It makes the trips he does take more enjoyable, because he WANTS to be there. I can say this now..because I've been through the "you're going..get in the truck!". I also have a 26 year old. This kid was our tough one...(where I cultivated my spy skills!..the younger two didn't really stand a chance after this guy!) . He didn't camp with us..he was almost 18 or 19 when we got our RV. Now that he is older....WE CAN'T SHAKE THE KID!
He loves it. He thinks the younger ones are out of their minds, and don't know what they are missing. Of course he is an adult..and he does lives on his own..He is on the job for NYPD..personally I like to think that he developed his interest in law enforcement from his mother. The real law of the land.
They all go through it..either at 13 and 15 as the original poster indicated..or older. I wouldn't be giving up our RV (we have a travel trailer). It's just part of growing up..and you choose your battles. Perhaps in the case of the original posters friends..it's just not that important. Too bad though..because eventually they do come around again, and you enjoy their company in a whole different way. Makes all the hard work worth it..and they even say "Thanks". My husband and I have also taken that time when kids don't want to go to reconnect as a couple..not just parents. I'd say..do what you will with the kids..but keep the RV!

 

[Ellen aka Snow White]

Our girls are 14 and 17 (soon to be 15 and 18!) and they actually ask to go camping!! We started camping when the oldest was 2 years old and have been going strong since! She will be graduating high school this year and we asked her what she would like to do for her graduation trip and she said....

DISNEY WORLD!!

(Well I must have done something right all these years!)

She acted like she didn't even understand why I was asking!!!

So we have our June trip planned at FW!

Ellen

 

[gcrw11]

We have 2 boys 15 and 9 on Monday. When we ask them where they want to go on vacation, it's Disney everytime.
I hope that never changes because that's the only place in the world I want to be on vacation also.

 

[1derfultigger]

Kids don't know what they want nor should they be allowed to make those kinds of decisions. That's the problem with today's youth. Too many parents let them run the house. They get to do that when they are grown and on their on. In the meantime, its up to the PARENT to decide what is best. No matter whether that relates to vacation planning, the friends they keep, or otherwise. Ok....Rant mode off....

Ditto that JPG! Except the problem is not with the youth. Their wanting to rule the roost as they get older is natural. I remember being a teenager and thinking I knew it all as I'm sure we all do. It's the parents that let them have their way that have changed. Everyone wants to be their kids' best friend these days. I can picture my dad's face and what he would say if I were to tell them back then that I was not going here or there on vacation because I didn't want to.

How many times do you take your kids somewhere they say they don't want to go and they end up having a ball when they get there? For that matter, how many times do you make yourself go somewhere when you'd rather not and you end up having a good time.

Always remember Dad's golden rule: "My roof, My rules!"

As Clark Griswald said "We're going to Wally World and we're going to have so much #$%@#$'in fun, we'll be whistlin' zipadee doo dah out of our @#$holes!"

 

[SandraC]

Quote: Originally Posted by JPG
Kids don't know what they want nor should they be allowed to make those kinds of decisions. That's the problem with today's youth. Too many parents let them run the house. They get to do that when they are grown and on their on. In the meantime, its up to the PARENT to decide what is best. No matter whether that relates to vacation planning, the friends they keep, or otherwise. Ok....Rant mode off....



---------If they are raised right, they can certainly make mature, informed and inspiring decisions.--------------------

 

[terri01p]

I would much rather leave a child home with a grandparent, then have them be forced to go on what should be a wonderful camping trip. They can suck the life out of every bit of fun. I considered myself and my dh ,fairly strick on our kids while growing up. They couldn't stay in bed on a sunday morning we alway went to church. They couldn't go off with just anyone we had to know them, and these were given. My kids grown up to be hard working,church going adults so I must have done something right. But we never force them into a vacation, that's one thing we drew a line on ,they had a choice. I would much rather pay a grandparent 100.00 for the week, than spend out , no telling how much, to try and entertain them all week.

 

[auntie]

I agree with you there. Don't know if you saw my previous post, but I've got kids all ages. With an 11 year difference between the youngest and oldest. So we've lived this a few times now. I've gone different ways on it..and you are absolutely right about how a kid suck the life out of a vacation if they don't want to be there. If there is somewhere else they can stay, and they don't like camping..hey..why make yourself miserable. My daughter isn't FW type..she's the Beach Club type..now given the choice..I'd rather stay in FW! Also a 13 year old and a 15 year old..sometimes they just get bored. What's great to you..they've been doing since they were little..and it's no big deal to them anymore. A bit older than that and then they have part time jobs and a social life come summertime... it isn't unusual for them to not want to be with mom and dad. Sometimes the more you force it..the more they resent it. Giving them some choice about a vacation can be a good thing. I'm not saying leave a 13 year old and a 15 year old home alone..but if they are with grandparents or have other supervision that you approve of, why torture yourselves and them, just so you can say "because I said so!". There are enough times where you have to do that..and forcing a vacation they don't want isn't one of them. They do come back around. That's why I say..leave the kids but keep the RV! If you can manage some trips for yourselves the kids eventually come back around, and you wind up actually enjoy the time spent together, rather than forcing it.

 

[dblr]

My boys are 16 &12 and love to camp even though we did spoil them by joing the Disney Vacation Club and now when we go they want to sty @ the condo resorts I like them also but I still like my 5th wheel.
They also camp with the Boy Scouts so when we use the 5th wheel that feels like a resort to them.