Taking the Leap: Prepping My Anxious, Picky-Eating Teen for Our First All-Inclusive Vacation

I never thought I'd be the mom planning a tropical getaway. But here we are—getting ready to take my teen on his first real trip for his birthday next year. It'll be an all-inclusive resort somewhere warm (still narrowing down the country), and it’s going to be a lot of firsts for both of us.

First time flying.
First time out of the country.
First time trying to relax while managing anxiety, sensory overload, and a kid who eats about five things total.

So yes, I’m excited. But also? I’m planning the heck out of it—because I want this trip to be a win for both of us.

1. Talk Early, Talk Often

The earlier I prep my son, the better things go. We're already talking through the basics:

• What an all-inclusive resort is

• That he doesn’t have to try every activity

• That there will be a lot of people, noise, and new smells

• That he’ll still have choices, comfort, and downtime

We’re even watching YouTube videos of resort tours so he can picture what to expect. Anxiety hates surprises—so I’m minimizing them.

2. Prep for the Food (Picky Eater Edition)

All-inclusives mean buffets and endless options… unless your kid doesn’t eat any of them.

My son is super picky and sticks to safe foods like plain noodles, toast, rice, and chicken. So my plan is:

• Pack backup snacks in checked luggage (dry cereal, granola bars, crackers)

• Bring a small electric kettle for emergency mac & cheese cups or instant noodles

• Avoid mealtime battles—this trip isn’t about expanding his palate. It’s about keeping him fed and feeling safe.

3. Sensory Toolkit = Vacation Lifesaver

Bright sun, crowds, music, unfamiliar smells… resorts are basically a sensory overload paradise. Here’s what’s going in our calm kit:

• Noise-canceling headphones

• Fidget toy or squishy

• Tablet with pre-downloaded shows

• Sunglasses & hoodie for sensory regulation

• Melatonin for those wired-from-travel nights

I’ll also build in quiet breaks between activities and meals, even if it means we skip something.

4. Travel Anxiety Starts Before the Plane

Flying for the first time is scary for most people—especially if you already struggle with anxiety. So I’m easing him into it like this:

• Show him airport security walk-through videos

• Practice with a packed carry-on and talk about the flight timeline

• Pick a direct flight if possible (less chaos = better)

• Get a window seat so he feels less exposed

• Let him pack his own comfort items: blanket, book, hoodie, game system

5. Keep the Schedule Loose

We’ll build a general plan for each day but leave room to pivot. My goal is one main thing a day (like swimming, a short excursion, or beach time), then the rest is optional. Overdoing it is a guaranteed meltdown trigger.

6. Give Him a Job

My son thrives when he feels in control, so he’ll have a role:

• Navigator (he loves maps)

• Daily snack manager

• Pool towel keeper—hey, it counts

It gives him purpose and shifts his focus from “What if everything goes wrong?” to “This is my thing.”

What I’m Reminding Myself

This trip isn’t about doing what everyone else does.
It’s about us—a mom and a neurodivergent teen navigating a big new world together.

If he eats toast for a week? That’s fine.
If we skip the big excursion and hang in the room? Also fine.
If it’s messy and beautiful and a little chaotic? That sounds about right for us.

Have you traveled with your anxious or sensory-sensitive teen? Drop your tips in the comments—I’m still learning and packing snacks.