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My Way on the Highway
Easing the Tension When Traveling with Preteens
By Sue Marquette Poremba
One reason preteens complain of boredom is because they feel lonely. Allowing your preteen to invite a favorite playmate to be a travel companion is one option. There are pluses and minuses to this option, however. As Pitesky points out, while her daughter would be less likely to have a "meltdown" with a friend around, taking an extra child would be an added expense and would cut into the family's privacy.
A second option is to travel with another family. According to Stacy DeBroff, author of The Mom Book: 4,278 Tips from Moms for Moms (Simon & Schuster, 2002), traveling with another family offers an extra source of companionship and amusement for everyone. "Having kids who play well together cuts down on TV and video time, complaints of boredom or seeking out adults as the singular source of entertainment," she says. "Only-children will have playmates besides their parents." She adds that families can break into smaller groups when everyone cannot decide on one activity. "This way, more people's preferences can be accommodated, rather than dragging one or two people along to an activity that holds no interest for them."
Traveling with a preteen is a challenge, to be sure. They can be moody and uncooperative. They want their freedom, and they want their interests to be taken into consideration. But preteens have a greater understanding of the world around them, and this will allow you to see your favorite destinations with fresh eyes.