Traveling can be quite the experience, especially when we do it with our equals. Traveling with people who share the same ideas and who can bounce our positive energy around, is a very good experience, or rather, it should be. Those are the memories which often stay with us.
But, once people get children, things tend to change slightly. Embarking on a journey with children can be cumbersome and most parents find their first journeys to be difficult. That is mostly because they have expectations which correspond to their previous travels, which were with their elders or equals.
Here are the tips you need on how to enjoy your trips and vacations with your children.
Don’t Wait Too Long – They Grow Up
Some parents like to rationalize their children and think that they won’t remember their earliest years and travels. While this might be true, the point is not to save money and not spend time with your children, but the opposite, to spend time with them. Waiting until they are five or six, gives you time and might save you money, but you will miss out on a lot and so will they. Their earliest years can be used to teach them about the world, water, animals, sand, the sun, winter, snow, everything. And you might also have a lot of fun being in that teaching position and going on a vacation at the same time.
Pack Light
Going on a vacation with children often means that you need to carry more stuff than you usually would. But that doesn’t mean you should fill an entire truck full of clothes and accessories you MIGHT need on the trip. Be mindful of the stuff you carry with you and your trip will be lighter, literally and on a more philosophical level. Fewer things to carry means that you can move around easier and that can also give you a certain peace of mind, knowing that you did not forget anything, because you had not brought it in the first place.
Plan in Advance
Families of 3 can easily find accommodation but families of 5 are already quite problematic. Not only do you need more money to support a family of 5, but finding affordable accommodation which can house a family of 5 is very difficult, especially when it’s the holiday season.
This is why you should plan in advance, otherwise you might end up having to wing it and that can be really difficult.
Destination Expectation
A child will be interested to know where they are going, especially if they know something about a topic. You should choose what you tell your children, however, depending on their age. A 10 year old child will be able to comprehend more, even when it is a year in advance. That means telling them about a different continent is advisable, as they will most likely get excited and try to learn as much as they can. A younger child might not be able to comprehend that so you might start filling them in a lot later, days before the trip. Showing them pictures of animals and flora might get them interested.
Traveling with children doesn’t have to be a burden, depending on how you plan your trip and whether you wait for them to be older or start having trips with them in their earliest days, thus preparing yourself for the future trips. Be mindful of how much stuff you bring with you and plan ahead. Remember to have fun, that is what vacations are for!
