Why you should take your teen traveling

Even if it's a little bit dangerous, it can be incredibly rewarding

Teen adventures.
(Image credit: iStock)

I was once told that a parent can only be as happy as their most unhappy child. In the same breath, the person who shared that cheery bit of wisdom also asked me why on Earth I'd willingly go sailing around the world with a teenager — because obviously teenagers are going to be miserable, and the burden of miserable children is best shared with teachers, classmates, and supportive extended-family.

In other words, teens should not be stuffed into small boats and sailed around the world with only their parents to complain to, right? Actually, I would beg to differ. We did it, and we'd do it again.

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Diane Selkirk

Diane Selkirk is a nomadic writer who's spent the past eight years sailing around the world with her family. Along the way she's written stories for publications including BBC Travel, National Geographic Travel, Conde Nast, and Cosmopolitan.