Traveling is life-changing. Getting out of the daily grind and being adventurous makes us come alive. My travels have been the best times of my life, and as a mother to three very young children, I can hardly wait to start traveling with them. Here’s why you should go traveling with your kids.
1. To show them that the world is huge.
“It’s a small world,” people say. And yes, at times, it seems the world is small, when you discover you went to the same college as someone or you have the same distant relative. But truth is, the world is enormous. Spending time far from home, where nobody knows you, forces you to realize the world is much bigger than your hometown. Whether your child is the star of the football team, or struggling making friends in school, getting away from life as we know it helps you realize you’re a tiny fish in a very large sea. There’s a huge world out there and a group for everyone, and showing this vast Earth to your children can really help them find their place in the world.
2. To unplug and truly connect.
Today’s youth and adults are spending increasingly more time sitting in front of electronics. Many families are more connected to technology than each other; it is easy to become engrossed in social media, texting, and watching TV, and not talk to each other. Unplugging as a family will allow you to spend quality time together.
3. To learn about yourselves.
It’s hard to reflect when we’re amidst the daily chaos of busy family lives. Getting away from your job and your kids’ packed schedule of activities can help you learn about each other. Is your child a thrill-seeker or scared to try new things? What about you? Does your family like to follow a schedule or prefer to be spontaneous? What is your favorite part about traveling together? Where would you like to go on your next family trip?
4. To notice the details.
Kids are observant, and they take time to appreciate the beauty of nature. Traveling with kids will force you to move at their pace; your pace will be slower and your children will point out details you likely would have overlooked without them.
5. To expand their world.
Traveling exposes us to unfamiliar foods, music, styles, cultures, and languages. Your children may discover new things they love.
6. To rekindle your sense of adventure.
Little kids naturally have a sense of adventure; they love to explore their world. They soak up new experiences, excitedly absorbing each new sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. Exploring the world with your kids can renew your passion for adventure as you follow their lead and delight in your journeys.
7. To make memories.
Traveling together is a great way for families to build memories, and makes for awesome stories too.
8. To show them the rewards of hard work.
Traveling can be expensive. Show your kids that working hard can result in amazing vacations. You can promote a strong work ethic and fiscal responsibility by educating them about saving and budgeting for traveling.
9. To teach them history.
The Egyptian Pyramids up close and personal? Yes, please. Seeing famous sights can make textbooks come to life. What better way to teach your child about history than to have them actually touch it?
10. To increase compassion.
Traveling will help your family be thankful for the blessings you have, and will make you realize the extent of what you take for granted—like shelter, safety, and food. Watching news stories isn’t the same as seeing firsthand the conditions many people live in. Developing a personal connection to people from other regions of the world will forever change your hearts.
Featured photo credit: Image from Pixabay via pixabay.com
