Using Map Quest and Still Getting Lost

"Mom, are you near your computer? I think I'm lost."

I've had this call so often over the past few years. When heading to a new location we've all become comfortable getting the electronic directions from point A to B and heading off. My kids however often only have information on the road from A to B, no larger picture of where they are, or what the options are if roads are closed or poorly marked.

Stopping and asking directions seems to be a very last resort. The first thought is to find someone near a keyboard to help find the way.

Watching kids navigate their way through college and into their 20's I think there are some parallels. When they're in high school the road ahead looks clear, go to college, get a job, great you have a life. Moving from point A to B looks as simple as following Map Quest directions. 

However as parents we know that it is easy to get lost along the way and that life is rarely so simple. What isn't so easy is to help your kids see that they have other possible pathways when all their peers seems to be headed straight to college. 

Now is a good time to talk with your kid about

*where they're going?

*why do they think it's the right direction?

*What other options have they considered?

*do they want to explore any detours?

Map Quest is terrific but spreading out a good old fashioned road map with lots of different roads has its place too. 

~Jean