Dear Prudence,
For about a month, I’ve been planning a solo road trip to the next state over. I shared my plans with my mom, and she’s been hinting that she’d like to come along. I don’t want to invite her. I love my mom and know we’d have a good time, but I’m really looking forward to traveling solo. I’ve always wanted to travel alone, and I feel like much of my life, an uncomfortable amount, is wrapped up in my family, and this is an opportunity to do something entirely my own. On the other hand, it’s been on my mind a lot lately that creating memories with my parents is valuable to me. I’m torn. Do I seize the opportunity to spend some time with my mom, or do I insist on doing this alone, like I originally planned? If you think the latter, I’d appreciate a script that will let her down kindly.
—Solo Traveler