As children move into their teenage years, it’s likely that they will be much more interested in exploring their world. They want to travel with friends, take a trip with a good friend’s family, or go along on school field trips. There’s nothing wrong with any of that, but they really need to be prepared so that they can have a good trip and be safe and comfortable. The teen should always carry identification, even if he or she normally doesn’t. A lot of younger kids don’t carry ID, but they’re always with their parents. When teenagers are headed out with others instead of with a parent, ID is vital so that they can prove who they are and so that they can be identified in case of an accident or other problem.
In addition, it’s a good idea to have a backpack or small bag to carry things in, especially if the trip is a longer or overnight visit. Contact information for parents and others, an insurance card, any medications that he or she takes, and a snack are all good choices for your teen to take along. If they have a favorite thing, like a book or a small stuffed animal, that can also go along. A lot of teens are still attached so some things from their childhood, and you want your teen to feel comfortable when he or she is away from home.
Giving a teenager a lot of cash is often a poor choice. It can be spent (or lost) too easily. However, prepaid credit cards are a great alternative to cash. That way you can decide how much your teen will be allowed to spend, and you can load the card with that amount. It helps to prevent overspending, and it doesn’t require that your teen keep track of a lot of cash that can be misplaced or stolen.