Q: Our sons are 17 and 18, one in high school and one in college. This year they want to go to Florida or the Bahamas on spring break and they are asking us for the money. They would drive down with friends but they don’t know where they will be
staying; it depends on how much money they can round up. They have never done this before, though some of the other kids have gone several times. I have misgivings. What do you think? — J.M. Royal Oak
A: I don’t believe that parents should pay for a trip for high school or college students at spring break or any other time. If students want to go, they should earn and save the money. No matter what your age, you appreciate things when you work for them.
Some parents might be shocked and embarrassed if they knew how their high school and college students behaved on these trips.
On a recent stay in the Bahamas, a group of young college students at our resort completely trashed the beautiful pool area with beer cans, cups and glasses. Sometimes they got out of the pool to throw up on the nearest grassy area, then returned to their drinking. This disgraceful behavior continued nightly. Every morning the grounds staff used wheelbarrows to clean up.
You know whether your sons would act responsibly. Find out where they are going and what they plan to do; whether to fund the trip is your decision.
Evelyn Petersen’s nationally syndicated parenting column is carried in over 200 newspapers twice each week. As a family/parenting consultant, early childhood educator, Head Start consultant, and host of a series of parent training audio and video tapes, Ms. Petersen employs an approach of providing hands-on, nuts and bolts advice to parents across the country.Evelyn Petersen’s nationally syndicated parenting column is carried in over 200 newspapers twice each week. As a family/parenting consultant, early childhood educator, Head Start consultant, and host of a series of parent training audio and video tapes, Ms. Petersen employs an approach of providing hands-on, nuts and bolts advice to parents across the country. You can read more from Evelyn at her web site: www.askevelyn.com
