Although it certainly may not feel like it in many parts of the country, spring is right around the corner here in Tallahassee. The azaleas and the dogwoods are in bloom, and there is color everywhere.

If spring is just around the corner, then so is Spring Break. Which leads to the annual rite of spring for teenagers known as Mom & Dad, can I go to the beach for the week with my friends? All my friends parents are letting them go!

Parents are caught between appropriate concern for their kids and the fear that they are being overly strict or somehow damanging or embarrassing their kids.

Each spring parents ask me, Should I let my kids go to the beach with their friends without any adults?

Each year I give the same answer that seems to clear things up very quickly for the parents:

Would you feel comfortable sending your kids alone, unsupervised, to Bourbon Street in New Orleans for a week?

If that sounds harsh to you, consider this question:

Just what is the difference?

The answer is not much.

Should teens be allowed to go to Spring Break at the beach?

Of course.

Should they be allowed to go without adult suprevision?

Of course not.

Your kids may complain and complain and complain about adults going. They may tell you that EVERYONE ELSE gets to go without parental supervision.

While that might be uncomfortable, that's OK.

Jeff Herring

Jeff is a marriage and family therapist, singles and relationship coach, mentor coach, speaker, syndicated relationship columnist and author.

Jeff has a full time private practice in Tallahassee in which he specializes in couples, teen and parent counseling. He also is a relationship coach specializing in working with couples and singles. Some of his professional activities include:

==> Internationally syndicated relationship columnist through Knight-Ridder/Tribune Media Services, with a weekly readership of over 10 million worldwide

==> Sought after speaker for organizations, associations, churches, and corporations

==>Twice weekly appearances on The Steve and Sara Show on Magic 107.1

==> Author of "Keep the Changes: 52 Tools for Successful Living" a collection of his best columns, as well as several e-books including "How to Create a Passionate and Loving Relationship.........Forever," "How to Beat the BOZOs: Dealing with difficult people without becoming one," and "Tame Your Teen: THE survival guide for parenting your teenager.

==> Founder and CEO of TheArticleGuy.com

==> Founder and CEO of SecretsofGreatRelationships.com

==> Founder and CEO of ParentingYourTeeanger.com

==> Founder and CEO of ToolsforSuccessfulLiving.com

==> President of BuildingYourIdealPractice.com

==> President of ConsciousDatingTallahassee.com