1. 1. Sleep will undoubtedly cause some friction. You see it as a necessary and
restorative 12 to 14 hours; your mother sees it as a freak biological mutation
standing in the way of a nonstop bonding session with her only child. The best
time to address this issue is during the brief overlap in awake time the two of you
will enjoy between the hours of 3 and 8 p.m.
2. You may be under the impression that, as an 18-year-old legal adult capable of
voting for a president and fighting in a war, you are ready to monitor your own
Tips for Traveling With Mom

2. sunscreen application without your mother’s input. You are wrong. Your mother
will have unearthed the only tube of SPF 150+ ever manufactured in North
America, and she will insist on nervously brandishing it at you every 10 minutes.
It’s easier not to put up a fight.
3. Don’t be alarmed when, over dinner, your mother stares searchingly into your
eyes and murmurs “So how is college, really?” in the soothing yet stern tone of a
“Law & Order” detective trying to coax a reluctant witness to talk. She may then
divulge some highly disturbing freshman-year tales of her own in a misguided
attempt to get you to talk. Don’t fall for it. Just smile politely and eat your pasta.
4. Refrain from commenting when your mother refers to the resort staff as “the
help.” She is from another era. You are not going to be able to change her. Just
breathe and let it go.