Towing Along Teens

I recognize that Eileen Ogintz’s column (“For Teens, Maui Means Another Day in Paradise,” Taking the Kids, Sept. 23), about adapting family vacation plans to teenagers, was written before Sept. 11, but its “spoiled brats” tone is hardly appropriate now. Caving in to the kids isn’t something many of us recommend. These days it’s up to all of us to set healthy standards for kids, and complaining about family activities on vacation in Maui is not one of them.

PATRICE KYGER

Free Union, Va.