I took my son to California for his birthday, and he planned the itinerary. Embracing my kids' interests helps me stay close to them.

The author let her son plan his birthday trip to California.

Courtesy of Terri Peters

• I let my son plan a trip for the two of us to California for his 17th birthday.
• Throughout our trip, I was thankful for the time I've spent building our relationship.
• My son is passionate about his interests, and they're part of what makes him who he is.

When my son was younger, there were times I wondered whether he'd ever stop talking about his interests. From detailed...