When I tell my friends that my family is hitting the road for another adventure, they just shake their heads. “Really? Weren’t you just away?” is a common refrain – or “Why would you want to travel with twin toddlers?” My standard answer: Because we love to travel. But, there is a lot more to it than that.
As a child I was introduced to travel through my parents. Whether it be a hotel room in Toronto or a road trip to the U.S. we travelled. Not far, not fancy, but we left home and experienced new things. And, I loved it.
Once I started University, every cent that I made at part-time jobs that was not spoken for (tuition etc.) I put away to travel. I saved and adventured, and then began the cycle again.
During those travels I learned about who I was, what I stood for, and how I reacted in stressful circumstances. I got mugged in London, U.K. and had my wallet pick pocketed in Italy. I backpacked through many countries (most alone) and I thought and dreamed and learned. Each photo, each memory, each keepsake was a reminder that I changed.
Now that I am a mom I want the same for my boys. I want them to wonder, to experience and to dream. While I have been known to give them iPods in restaurants to keep them quietly entertained, I also want them to look out the window and be bored. I want them to try new things, to experience new cultures and to learn about themselves through the lens of travel.
This March, we took off on a 6200 km road trip. It was more amazing than I could have hoped (or thought possible with 3 year old twins). I know that each one of us was changed by this trip, and together as a family we spent three weeks together uninterrupted by our everyday life. While a lot of our travel was done in the car, it was the changing landscape outside of our windows and the time spent together that made this trip special.
Each trip is unique and special in its own way, but each one teaches me about myself and reinforces my belief that travel is truly a window to the world.
What is travel for you?
I agree with everything you’ve written here. I did NOT travel much as a child, so it’s extra special for me to be able to do that for my children. Traveling is one of my most favorite things in the world to do.
So true. Love that you are travelling with your kids even though you didn’t with your family.
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..Wonderful Food Wednesday #34
I think travel helps kids to be more flexible and resilient. Sometimes trips work out beautifully and sometimes things go wrong (in small or big ways) and you just have to be resilient and role with it. I also agree that care trips are a good opportunity to let them be OK being bored, or to figure out how to amuse themselves.
Eileen – the resiliency piece is so important!
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..Wonderful Food Wednesday #34
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine
I truly believe this. I love to travel with the family too and often get the “Isnt it hard to travel with kids?”. Not for us!
Shannon recently posted..I Am Headed to the National We Day Ottawa Monday April 29th Thanks To @Telus!
I couldn’t agree with you more. I never traveled as a child, but my dream is to experience this world with my kids one trip at a time. This summer we have a 2 week road trip to Eastern Canada planned I cannot wait to see and learn more about this amazing world we live in. Enjoy your travels!
Tammy http://inRdream.com
Tammy @inRdream recently posted..An Incredible Movie Takes The Theaters In 2 Days @KingsFaith
Why NOT travel? I love exploring new places and going on adventures with my kids (even if they wont remember these trips as adults!)
I always say we’ll travel when they are older. I need to stop thinking that way and enjoy them now!
Hi Kerrie, can you please adopt me? :) I very much admire families who travel with their kids. When I was a little kid growing up in the Philippines my biggest wish was to travel, but traveling back then was a luxury my family could not afford. As an adult and living in NY my biggest wish remains the same but now I can indulge myself in making it come true. I don’t have kids but if I do I’ll take them everywhere like you do. I do have nephews and niece who I adore who I take on a trip from time to time. I rather give them a give them a gift of experience rather than material thing. It also make me happy to give them what i didn’t have growing up. I look forward to read more of the adventures you’ll take with your little boys. One day, I’m sure, they’ll realize how lucky they are.
Marisol@TravelingSolemates recently posted..Angkor Thom: The Faces of South Gate & Bayon Temple
Yes, I didn’t travel as a child much either, but I want the same for my kids. I hope the sacrifices we’re making in other areas to do the traveling will seem worth it to them when they are adults!
Amy Moore recently posted..Photo Adventure : Wupatki National Monument, Arizona
That is such a great photo of the boys and illustrates your point so well. I couldn’t agree more that travel is a window to the world. I didn’t have the opportunity to travel as a child but I dreamed about it all the time and there’s nothing that makes me happier now than being able to show the world to my kids. We went on our first family trip when my oldest was 4 months old and we have never stopped. They are now 16 and 9 and traveling has shaped their understanding of the world and their place in it. I think that if I have managed to instill in them a desire to explore and understand the world then I have done a good job.
Lisa recently posted..Shopping in New York City: Emma Style
I agree!! Traveling with kids open their eyes to the world around them plus it makes them flexible and eager to take on new challenges. I love traveling with my kids.
Thanks for linking up this week – hope you do again!
I was lucky to travel a lot with my parents as well as a child, and am doing the same with our kids. It is about building memories, teaching about other cultures, and getting them out of our little bubble of a world :)
Andrea, Passports And Pushchairs recently posted..Photo Friday: If You Can’t Actually Fly On A Plane…
I love the experiences my kids’ have had over the year from trips that we’ve taken. Just a word of caution- if you raise your kids to love travel- at some point they are going to want to travel on their own. My teens are in the midst of planning a solo trip and while I’m thrilled that they appreciate the gift that travel is, this mama heart of mine isn’t quite ready to see our “family travel” stage come to an end.
Tonya {The Traveling Praters} recently posted..The Big Muskie in Miners’ Memorial Park
I agree with everything you say in this post. How long did the trip take or are you still on it? I did a post linked to TP Thursday, however I have done another since (time difference) so that explains my lack of a link :)
budget jan recently posted..Fantastic Friday: Join me for Coffee with a View
That is so cool. I think it is SO important to take your kids traveling…especially starting at an early age. Last year, I took my daughter (3 yrs old at the time) to the Philippines. It was such an amazing experience to share with her.
Christine (@chancesmommy) recently posted..Why Buy Local ~ @eggsoeufs
I am not huge on travel; I like my own bed, my own food. WE have taken the boys to Disney World (and will go back) and I would also love to take them out the maritimes. Other than that, while I WISH I could travel, I know it just isn’t me….my mom practically pushed us to head over to Europe or Australia when we graduated high school, but neither my bro or I was comfortable with it
ashley picco recently posted..My Kid Ate a Penny
I didn’t travel much as a kid. We had a cottage that we went to every summer, all summer, which I absolutely loved! I haven’t been bit by the travel bug yet, but I know it is important to do. We have gone on some short trips with our family.
MultiTestingMom recently posted..Moving and Easy Meals Day 2 ~ Broccoli and Cheese Soup in the Crockpot
We don’t travel a lot. Mostly b/c I am a bit of a homebody. But I do try to teach my boys to experience adventure right in our own city. We do go to Niagara Falls often, since that’s where our family lives, and 2 hours in the car the boys experience that.
Shari G recently posted..It’s Here At Last!