Dear Family Coach: When we go on vacation, the trips often include long drives. My wife thinks it's perfectly fine for the kids to use their electronic devices for a big chunk of the journey. She says it's their downtime. I strongly disagree. Why do they need to be staring at screens for so long? What do you think? — Car-Sick Dad

Dear Dad: While there are certainly limits that should be enforced when it comes to iPads, iPhones, Kindles, etc., I do believe that it's OK to exceed set boundaries under certain circumstances. Do you remember being a child stuck in the back seat of Mom and Dad's station wagon on the annual drive from New York to Florida? My family never drove that far, but I can tell you it was mind-numbingly boring. There was constant bickering, and oftentimes my parents had to place a divide between my sister and me. They would put her on the seat and me on the floor with the crumbs.

I'm not necessarily a proponent of sticking electronics in kids' faces to avoid social interactions, mealtime banter and short waits at the doctor's office. However, there are times when it makes sense, for everyone's sanity, to loosen the reigns. A viable exception to the rules is a lengthy car ride (or flight).

The real problem with excessive screen time is that it tends to be excessive on a daily basis. By all means, have your children read and play outdoors and practice the piano. But when they're interminably stuck in the back of an automobile, strapped to a tight-fitting car seat for an unyielding stretch of time, cut them some slack. This doesn't make you a bad father. It makes you human.

Dear Family Coach: My son, who is a high school senior, wants to go away with six of his friends for a celebratory trip prior to graduation. One family offered up their ski house for the weekend, but no parents will be in attendance. I'm petrified, but I don't want him to miss out. Should I let him go? — Senioritis

Dear Senioritis: I hate to put it thusly, but this decision falls upon you and only you. It's about your knowledge of the six friends, your understanding of the circumstances and your trust in your son to make wise decisions. Also, to be blunt, what type of person is your son? Is he the kind of kid who's often to trouble in school? Does he have a drug tendency? Has he been arrested for a DUI? Or has he sailed through high school without any major hiccups?

It's also important to know what type of weekend the kids have in mind. Is the general idea of this trip for the guys to go fly-fishing, barbecue some steaks and reminisce about their dwindling high school days? Or will they be downing 40s and driving to the nearest strip joint? If your son generally uses good judgment, has a solid group of friends and can be trusted to behave wisely, you should let him go.

The truth is, whether he leans angelic or sinful, within a few months he will be exposed to all levels of debauchery in college without the watchful eyes of his parents. Teach him to make good decisions, ask for help when he needs it and think about consequences before he acts, and tell him to call home every night.

Dr. Catherine Pearlman, the founder of The Family Coach, LLC, advises parents on all matters of child rearing. To write to Dr. Pearlman, send her an email at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Catherine Pearlman and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.