My son wants to go on a snowboarding trip to Whistler B.C. this winter with a bunch of his friends. He has gotten in trouble with his friends in the past. Should I let him go?



Dear Snowboarding dad,

It's a mountainous journey that a parent takes raising children. This is just one mogul of many going down that slope.

You mentioned that your son had "gotten in trouble with his friends in the past". Depending on the form of trouble, only you have the ability to judge how responsible your son and his peers are to take this trip.

Some questions to ask are: who is chaperoning this trip? Do you know the other parents of his friends?

Contemplate these issues when discussing this with your son. Reason with him and share your concerns. Based on the last situation, other than riding a few moguls, he shouldn't want additional mishaps on or off the slopes!

British Columbia is beautiful country. Perhaps consider chaperoning the trip with a friend. Negotiate this with him. This is a great opportunity to show his friends how cool you are! You may have a great vacation, bond with him and his friends-and the American dollar is so strong you can't lose.

Finally, who is the parent, you or your son? Good luck, remember alot can happen in a teenagers life between then and now.