Aww… the teenage years. Filled with awkwardness and attitude. While many parents of teenagers look forward to a fun-filled family vacation, in reality, traveling with a disinterested teenager is often less-than-enjoyable. For some reason, once a child reaches his or her teenage years, they no longer want to wear matching vacation t-shirts and play Marco Polo in the pool with their parents.

When choosing a vacation rental for their next family vacation, parents of teenagers are looking for properties that will elicit the fewest eye rolls and under-the-breath remarks. Appeal to the parents of teenagers by creating an ad that shows the size of your home, included amenities, and local attractions.

Space
Teenagers long for independence both at home and on vacation. For this reason, parents of teenagers are looking for properties with space to spare. They want plenty of space between themselves and their tempestuous teens. If you own a larger home, your listing should highlight the fact that “Everyone can have their own bedroom and bathroom!”

Amenities
Unlike younger kids who can amuse themselves wherever they go, many teenagers are looking to be entertained.

Here are a few amenities that might mitigate their grumbling:
• A video game system. You don't even have to provide the latest and greatest. Many teenagers will be happy to relive the days when Nintendo systems only had 64 bits.
• A DVD library. Film, the universal mitigator—bringing together families with irritable teenagers for 100 years.
• An iPod docking station. The kids like their rock music.

Attractions
In your advertisement, be sure to list any and all attractions that might appeal to the younger set (movie theatres, malls, bowling alleys, etc.). Make specific note of activities that are safe for teenagers to frequent on their own. While teenagers may laugh in the face of danger, their parents—not so much.

After just a little research, parents of teenagers will find that staying in a vacation rental on their next family holiday will ease tensions and combat boredom. Your task is to convince these parents that your home is the right one for them. Use your vacation rental ads to convey the appropriateness of your vacation home.

Give parents of teenagers the peace of mind to cut (or at least loosen) the apron strings and who knows, they might actually enjoy their vacation!