parenting
Road Trips: Plan a Mother-Daughter Road Trip with Your Teen
Hit the Road Jack … er, I mean, Jane! How to Plan a Successful Mother/Daughter Road Trip
Most parents are aware that parent-child conflicts can be aplenty, especially during the teenage years. But there’s also something special about the bond between a mother and daughter.
That irreplaceable bond that was built throughout your daughter’s childhood must be maintained as she gets older. Spending time together keeps lines of communication open and your mutual love flowing smoothly. One way to do this is to plan a mother-daughter road trip with your teenage daughter. No matter where the road may take the two of you, here are some tips to ensure you are closer at the end of the trip, and that the bonds you’ve created through the years will be strengthened at the end of it all.
5 Ways to Have a Successful Mother-Daughter Road Trip
- Set a budget. Once you decide to set out on a road trip adventure with your daughter, you need to discuss the budget. Setting a budget is an important step in teaching your daughter financial responsibility. It’s also a great way to show your daughter how to prioritize her wants versus her needs. For example, if you have $500 to spend on your entire trip, let your daughter help you decide where the amount should be spent. If she wants to shop during the trip, she should understand that having some spending money may mean you can’t stay in a fancy hotel or eat out three times a day.
- Put it on the calendar. Even before you know what you’re going to do or where you’ll go, pick the dates that you plan to travel. Whether it’s a one-night trip, a weekend getaway, or an extended vacation, you’ll both get excited to see the date get closer if you set a date in the future. With the date set, you can use the countdown as a way to continue her financial education as she saves money to spend on your trip.
- Discuss expectations. The older your daughter, the more opinions she will probably have about the trip. Before you set your agenda, sit down with your daughter and talk about what you both want out of this road trip. Would you like to relax and be pampered at a spa, or are you and your daughter eager to rough it in the great outdoors, perhaps camping or staying at a cabin on a lake? Whatever your travel preferences, make sure yours align with hers before beginning to plan the details of your trip.
- Plan it together. It’s easy for any mom to take over the planning phase of a trip, especially if her daughter is unmotivated or not as eager to go. However, the more you let your daughter help plan your trip, the more excited she will probably become. Once you’ve shared your expectations with each other, it’s time to get down to business and make some arrangements—together. It may take some compromise, but at the end of the day you should both be excited to get away for some meaningful mother-daughter time.
- Make it memorable. The most important thing—no matter what you decide to do—is to have fun. Whether you plan to spend a weekend at museums or tasting your way through a big city, make it a memorable time for just you and her. Take lots of photos, save your mementos (such as tourist pamphlets, receipts, and postcards) and even take some videos along the way. Do your best to keep the mood lighthearted, as a cheerful attitude can go far if your daughter’s mood starts to droop or her excitement starts to wane. Stay positive and you’re sure to make memories that will last far longer than her teenage years.
Every mother knows that even the best-laid plans aren’t foolproof. Whining and complaining may come before you’ve even reached your destination, or a dead car battery may stall you for an evening. When detours happen you can choose to be pessimistic or embrace them as part of the adventure. Make it easier to take on anything that comes your way by making sure you have the best auto insurance to fit your road trip needs. Before you hit the highway, read some car insurance reviews to see if you have the right coverage for your adventure. You may even be able to add roadside assistance to your policy to make sure you’re covered anywhere your mother-daughter road trip takes you. Then, enjoy the ride as you set off to make wonderful memories together.
What fun ways do you like to connect with your teenage daughter?
Photo courtesy of Flickr. Featured image courtesy of Flickr
Note: Sponsored content was created and provided by Nationwide Insurance.
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