Summer vacation is upon us and that means traveling. This article is for anyone seeking to find some good in taking trips with kids and maybe to prepare for the bad that may ride shotgun. So, here's the “Good and Bad” of traveling with your kids:

The Good: Quality together time with no outside interruptions. The Bad: Loud, bratty kids drowning out cell phone calls to your stock broker.

The Good: These new TV/VCR combos that you can take with you on trips. The Bad: When the kids play nothing but Disney tapes and won't let you watch your wrestling videos.

The Good: Mattel's “Travel Yahtzee.” The Bad: Hasbro's “Travel Twister.”

The Good: Enjoying the beautiful landscapes that decorate the roadsides of America. The Bad: Interstate highways littered with billboards advertising outlet malls.

The Good: Playing the Alphabet License Plate Game. The Bad: Playing the “Spot a Car Actually Made in the U.S.” Game.

The Good: When the kids finally drift off into a cuddly sleep. The Bad: When the kids are suddenly awakened by an errant, talking, Tinkie Winkie saying, “Where's my purse!”

The Good: Hearing Dad finally say, “Just 10 more minutes and we'll be there.” The Bad: Hearing Dad say, “Just two more hours to the `World's Largest Ingrown Toenail.'”

The Good: See a familiar landmark pass by your window. The Bad: See a familiar landmark pass by your window for the third time.

Well, that's it, folks. I'm sure you can think of your own list of Good and Bad things about traveling with your kids. If you can't, just take along a pad and pencil and share them with us when you get back.

Just remember — giving notice to the bad is easy. Giving notice to the good... well, that takes practice.

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