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Traveling With Teens

“I’ve been there!”
By Diane Garner (travelingwithteens@cox.net)

Ah, music to a parent’s ears. It doesn’t matter Another word of advice is about driving in the District.
if “there” is the Tower of London or the Alamo, DON’T! Just don’t. Traffic and parking are miserable. (Just
the Grand Canyon or the Acropolis. When your ask my husband about the parking ticket that put an
expensive damper on our visit to the White House.) For the
teenagers personally identify with a location far sake of your sanity, take the Metro. More like the London
outside their normal, tiny sphere of existence, Tube than the New York City subways, the Metro is safe,
you experience a strong sense of satisfaction clean, and easy. It can also be exciting if your teen has never
traveled by subway. We used it frequently, even during the
and pride. Walking the paths of Renaissance mad crush of the Fourth of July. (Honestly, that trip was not
men, brave Texans, Native Americans, or for the faint of heart. Imagine sardines.) However, watching
ancient Greeks can give birth to a lifelong the fireworks from the lawn of the Washington Monument
was an experience our kids will never forget.
connection to another part of the world. This
presidential election year seems an appropri- As your teenager has learned or will be learning, our govern-
ate time to create such a connection to the ment has three separate and distinct branches: Executive,
epicenter of our political world: Washington, Legislative, and Judicial. Each of these branches is clearly
represented by a special site in Washington.
28 D.C.
Obviously, the Executive branch is the President, who lives
Okay, I know you’re groaning. I understand that politics and works in the White House. This well-known structure
makes you want to tear your hair out. And right about now, is seen almost nightly on the news as the backdrop for the
we’re all so sick and tired of campaign ads and candidate White House correspondent’s report. Press conferences and
bickering that we’re tempted not to vote. We’ll show them, ceremonies are frequently televised from inside and outside
you’re thinking. What happens if you hold an election and this familiar building. Even Super Bowl and World Series
nobody votes? Unbelievable as it sounds, that is practically champions get their pictures taken at the White House. On
what has been happening in this country. Although you may significant occasions, the President addresses the Nation
frequently fight the urge to strangle a politician (or two or from the Oval Office.
three), as a responsible parent you should guide your teen
through the rite of passage into the frustrating civic responsi- How will your teenager feel if she has walked and whispered
bility of voting. within the walls of this historic place? Might the President’s
next press conference attract and hold her attention a little
And as you may know, the state of California requires a one- more?
semester course in American government/civics for a student
to graduate from high school. If you drag your teenager to Public tours of the White House are available, but they must
Washington, D.C. before or during that course, I predict that be arranged in advance through a member of Congress.
he will have a more personal interest in the often boring Don’t wait until the last minute if you don’t have much
subject. And anything you can do to ensure his graduation, flexibility on dates. See the White House website for details.
financial independence, moving out of the house… Need I We toured during the Christmas holidays and felt the experi-
say more? ence was even more memorable because of the amazing
decorations.
First, let me warn you about visiting Washington, D.C. in the
summer. Unlike our beloved San Diego weather, the Mid- Of course, the U.S. Capitol is the home of Congress, our
Atlantic region suffers what is commonly referred to as the Legislative branch. Again, the news is full of pictures of one
three H’s: hazy, hot, and humid. Which often leads to the politician or another sniping at the other political party over
exclamation of another H: “H**L!” This ugly weather phe- something, and these little photo ops often occur in the halls
nomenon will sap your energy and your patience, both of of the Capitol.
which are essential when traveling with your teen. Consider
yourself warned and take the appropriate precautions.

May/June 2008