Q: We've always planned on taking our grandson on a trip so that he can explore the world and we can spend some time with him. Now that he's 13, we think it's time.

We brought the subject up to him and offered to take him to Europe this summer. His parents are enthusiastic, but he doesn't seem interested at all. According to his parents, he'd prefer to stay home with his friends.

How can we convince him that this is a great opportunity?

A: Teenagers sometimes need prodding because of their lack of life experience. As the years pass, we realize more and more that many opportunities pass us by in the blink of an eye.

It may take time to convince him about how lucky he is to receive this opportunity. Teenagers often want to stay in their own bubbles because they feel safe and comfortable. Learning to leave our comfort zone is an invaluable lesson.

Tell your grandson about the wonderful experiences you've had in your life and how you've learned more about yourself by traveling and observing other cultures. Share travel photos, books and anecdotes.

If all else fails, you can always incentivize the trip. Consider offering to buy him a camera to collect memories on the trip. Customize your itinerary to his interests, and find things that he will remember for years to come. — Doug

FATHER'S DAY WITHOUT THE STRESS

Q: For our family, holidays have always been stressful. Emotions run high, and none of us enjoy our time together like we should. More casual get-togethers have always been more enjoyable.

Father's Day is coming up, but in the past year my husband's health has been on the decline. We're lucky to have our children driving up to celebrate with the two of us. On the other hand, we don't want the stress to have a negative impact on my husband.

We want to make this holiday really count. How can we ensure we have the best day?

A: Many holidays necessitate a careful balance of our expectations and potential flexibility. If your highly structured plans don't allow for any wiggle room, you're more likely to find problems. Making a plan that fits one person is easy, and adjusting that plan to fit the entire group is more complicated.

For this holiday, your goal is simple: You want to enjoy a pleasant afternoon together without all the stress. Making concrete plans eliminates potential complications, but you also should build in some flexibility.

Find a low-key activity that you can enjoy. You could try seeing a local museum or doing something outdoors like a picnic or an easy hike. Staying local will help eliminate any frustrations with farther travel. If you want to eat out, plan ahead and make a reservation.

Whatever you decide to do, keep your eye on the prize. Your sole purpose is to celebrate and enjoy one another's company.

To have an enjoyable holiday, choose to be patient and pleasant with one another. If you often end up entangled in emotional arguments, remember that you can always table the conversation for another time.

Happy Father's Day! — Emma, Doug's granddaughter

Doug Mayberry makes the most of life in a Southern California retirement community. Contact him at [email protected]. Emma, Doug's granddaughter, helps write this column. To find out more about Doug Mayberry and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.