So your kid asked if he can bring his best friend on your next big trip. It’s easier to say yes to this than to getting a dog, but it’s a big ask nonetheless. Welcoming someone else’s child into your inner family circle can affect your family adventure in ways you might not even imagine. If the Griswolds had let Rusty bring a friend, they wouldn’t have had room for Aunt Edna—but they might have missed the Grand Canyon. Sure, traveling with kids can be challenging, so having your son or daughter gain a companion (one that isn’t a tablet, to boot), seems like a win, but you could lose out on quality family bonding time. You can enjoy more privacy and fewer “Are we there yets,” but it will quite literally cost you. Before you invite your child’s friend to join you, weigh the following pros and cons.

Consider the role you’d rather play

Let the Energizer Bunny meet an eager match.

Pro: With a friend in tow, you can relinquish your role as playmate. If your child turns into the Energizer Bunny the moment his feet hit the sand, having a friend who matches his energy might just be the key to your sanity. If you have a younger child, he or she will enjoy getting a little more of your undivided attention; if you’re lucky, she’ll get included in the older kids’ games (even if she’s always “it”). That means you can enjoy a few minutes to yourself while they keep going and going and going.

Con: Having your kid’s friend on your trip means more responsibility: another mouth to feed, hand to hold, nose to wipe. “Be sure to have their medical insurance card just in case the child gets sick or injured,” advises New Bern, North Carolina-based travel agent Jessica Cruz. And always have a way for the child to communicate with their parents back home, she adds; a friend can not only get physically ill, but homesick as well.

Know how your budget will change

Adding a friend means you’ll need more beds for heads. Price out affordable suites or even a vacation rental.

Pro: When you’re trip-planning for just your family, it’s second nature to get a standard hotel room with two queen beds and pray for mercy. The idea of a separate sleeping space can be scary for them and for you. Having a friend to sleep with is the ultimate security blanket, making it easier to book a suite or even put the kids in their own adjoining room. Doing so, you can go to bed at a normal adult hour and maybe even go to the bathroom interruption-free. Look for hotel suites with affordable rates or consider getting a vacation rental if you need even more space.

Con: Upgrading from a room to a suite bumps up the budget; adding another room, even more so. Add in food costs and incidentals, and your bank account might feel a bit squeezed.

Family dynamics

Pro: Having someone else’s child in the mix can help keep you in check; you’re less likely to lose your cool with a friend in tow. And with a fresh face comes a new perspective. “Even if your family has traveled to the destination before, you can relive the thrill of first-time experiences through the eyes of your child’s friend,” Cruz says.

Con: A weeklong vacation means a lot of time together, even for the best of friends. You might end up with more whining than you would’ve encountered without a friend if the kids get sick of each other. Even worse? They could return from the trip not feeling so friendly toward each other. Deciding whether to bring your child’s BFF along on a family vacation is just one of the decisions you have to make as a traveler. one of travel’s many predicaments. Consider your child’s age, maturity level and—perhaps most importantly—your comfort with the friend (and the friend’s parents). When everything clicks, bringing along a “plus one” can add a little more fun to your travel adventures.

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