Top 5 reasons your kids are the best travel buddies
My husband and I have a nearly 2 year old daughter, and plan to grow our family even more at some point. Something that we’ve recently been noticing is how our daughter is coming into her own personality; I think my husband’s exact words last week were, “She’s becoming a real person!” (cue Pinocchio movie track in my head, because Disney never leaves you apparently…). Anyways, that concept is what is spurring this week’s blog post:
5 reasons your kids are the best travel buddies
Reduces the consumeristic mindset –
The US seems to have a bad stereotype (which may or may not always be accurate) of being hugely materialistic. We have to have the big houses (the average house has over 2,500 sq feet), luxurious cars, and newest [insert the latest gadget here]. Contrary to the mindset of most of our grandparents, Americans tend to think and operate on the concept of, ‘if it breaks, I’ll just throw it out and buy a new one.’
Compare that mindset to the rest of the world and you will find the US is generally the odd man out. The average house size in France (one of the countries in Europe that averages on the high end of the scale) is a mere 1,200 sq feet. Many people in other countries don’t own cars --- or don’t own multiple cars, at the very least. However, on the whole, the people in other countries often travel more frequently than Americans do.
I’d like to posit that the reason that people in other countries travel more is that they have a smaller financial burden on them than the average American does. It helps that, in the European Union at least, they are mandated 4 weeks at minimum of vacation… but I’m not writing this post to try to change the politics of our country, so I’ll just leave that there.
Now, how does that have to do with your kid? Well, at least for my family, I want to start showing my daughter that things do not make one happy, rather true joy comes from within. There are people all over the world who are happy, but live with less. It’s all well and good to tell her this, but by bringing her along when I travel, I can also show her.
Makes lasting memories –
I don’t know if this is true or not for you, but occasionally my mother will ask me if I remember when I was given such-and-such a toy, and, when I reply that I do not, she gasps in disbelief because of how big a deal she perceived it to be at the time. However, when she asks if I remember going to Scarborough, London, Paris, Orlando… as a kid, I would respond with a resounding yes to all of them.
I’ve found that it is experiences that remain in one’s memory throughout the years, not things. I can’t tell you what my favorite Lego set was growing up, but I can tell you exactly what was the best part about visiting Legoland as a child.
And this point doesn’t always have to be a result of a multi thousands of dollar trip! Creating lasting memories can be done around your hometown too. A trip to the zoo, or a tour of a horse farm can both be a great example of a way you can form lasting memories with your kids.
Promotes healthy response to diversity –
Some of you may live in a big metropolis, where it is as diverse as they come. But perhaps you don’t, or perhaps you rarely step out of your usual circle of friends, reason number 3 is another area where travel will do you and your kids good.
Seeing other people living a different way from the way you do, or seeing people who look or dress a different way, can be eye-opening and even scary (to some) at first. However, the ability to see people, and to realize that they are all just people like us, is a very important trait to developing one’s empathetic nature. In the Bible, Jesus stated that the most important thing to do, after loving God with your all, is to love your neighbor as much as you love yourself. Regardless of who they are, what they believe, how the act or dress, learning to love people is a hugely important task and one that even many adults fail at. What better way to help your children on this path than to introducing them to the idea that there are others out there who are different from them, but deserve just as much love.
Broadens perspective of what is normal –
This one goes along with the last in some respects, but I think it also deserves its own spot on the list. Just as diversity allows for an opportunity to practice empathy and love, it also helps to shake one’s view of normal behavior. Kids often get stuck into their world of norms, whether it be the things they eat (or refuse to), or things they are willing to participate in (or not). By seeing other children or people eat or do the things they are not used to, they will often have a more adventurous mindset themselves.
Creates an atmosphere for continual learning –
The final reason that your kids make the best travel buddies is that travel promotes learning – by everyone involved, not just them. You are stepping out into the unknown, perhaps doing research beforehand, which gives your kids an example to follow. As you learn and experience new things at your destination, you have the opportunity to do it together, as a family. It provides an opportunity to realize that just because school is out for summer, or winter break, or because they are missing it for the vacation, doesn’t mean that one should ever be complacent with how much he/she knows. There are always chances to learn remarkable new things.
Did I miss anything? Are there other points you'd make as a veteran who has traveled with kids? Post them in the comments below! And if you’re ready to have me start planning a trip for you and your children, hit the button below to schedule a complimentary consultation with me.