Experience
The lack of previous experiences away from home can increase feelings of homesickness, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Teens who have had lots of practice staying away from home at slumber parties, sport meets and sleep-away camps, for example, tend to fare better than teens who have stuck close to home and are now leaving for the first time. To prevent homesickness in teens, parents should consider encouraging their kids to spend the night away from home occasionally with trusted friends or relatives. This can help to build up their independence and self-reliance.