Traveling with children... is it important? When should you start?

smartie wrote: ↑ Are you asking questions or making statements?

Statistics101 wrote: ↑
From my own personal experience, a well traveled person can hold an intelligent conversation that match or even exceed any academics and scholars you can find inside a library. Believe me, I have 2 Masters degrees, I have worked as an RA and my extended family generated 3 doctorates, so I know a lot of academics.

Statistics101 wrote: ↑ I know a lot of parents who never leave the province with their children. Kids are a hassle to travel with, they get cranky and slow you down and you have to pay for their seats on flights.

A lot of people also have different definition of traveling. Visiting another culture, going to see the northern lights, spending an afternoon in the British Museum, or touring Angkor Wat in Cambodia brings knowledge and experience to your child that no books or internet resource can ever replace. Most people's definition of traveling is sitting inside an all-inclusive resort for a week, while it is still doing something away from home, its not really my definition of traveling.

From my own personal experience, a well traveled person can hold an intelligent conversation that match or even exceed any academics and scholars you can find inside a library. Believe me, I have 2 Masters degrees, I have worked as an RA and my extended family generated 3 doctorates, so I know a lot of academics.

Having young children of my own, I wonder at that stage of their lives should traveling become a thing. While I don't think a 3 or 5 year old can understand or appreciate a history lesson about the Mayan Ruins or the Forbidden Palace, I also found kids who never grew up with parents who takes them to travel would be hesitant to pick up a backpack when they become adults. Some people just likes to stay put in one place and not go anywhere, a lot of it comes from the fear of the unknown. I want my children to grow up to enjoy traveling and learning new things, get different perspectives about life from different cultures, and break down barriers and stereotypes about other people and societies and see the world the way it really is.

smartie wrote: ↑ Are you asking questions or making statements?

enwhyRFD wrote: ↑ It's not your idea of travelling, but is it your kids?

I don't think there's a definitive time that kids are receptive to travel. As long as they're absorbing and learning (doesn't have to be academics) and happy and becoming a contributing member of society, then that time is the best time. Whether it's newborn, toddler, preteen, etc. And at that time it's up to the parents to figure out logistics.

And IMHO, a well-traveled person is not a requisite to being able to hold an "intelligent" conversation.

Macx2mommy wrote: ↑ I know some people that have been travelling with their kids since they were babies. For me, that was just too much of a hassle (my first was really finicky and cried alot). We have always travelled with in North America since they were little, primarily to US, mexico and a few other places. Generally, I did places where they didn't need vaccines. We had always planned to take our kids over seas every other year starting when the youngest was about grade 3 (oldest was grade 6). We started in Colombia and panama. Then had South Africa planned, with Asian, and Europe the following year. That was 2019. Our goal was to take our kids some where over seas each year, while the oldest was in middle school. They were strong enough to miss school without a problem. Sadly with COVID, all of these trips where cancelled, and I have kid now in high school IB, so missing school is not really an option.

I think elementary is a great time to start travelling around the world. It does get much more expensive. I am not back packing with my kids and staying in dodgey places. We are usually doing tours because we have less time due to work and school, so want to get the most out of it in terms of seeing alot. We do end up in resort like places so we can relax a bit too. It's tough balance between vacationing (so you can relax) and travelling so you can see the world.

I agree that if one can, travelling is a wonderful way to expand our minds (not just kids), but there are other ways too. I have had many intelligent conversations with people that haven't travelled. Keep in mind that some who do not travel may not do so because it is expensive with kids. Some may not able to afford it, so teaching your kids that it is a privilege and not judge or have stereotypes on those that don't travel is important.

I think kids can still be well learned even if they haven't travelled everywhere. It's about taking the opportunities where ever you can to explore differences in culture. This can be in your own city. We go to festivals, volunteer at different places where there is a lot of social and ethnic diversity. One area that is really of interest to me is food (who doesn't like food). We try to cook all different types of food, and we will even find friends/co workers to come over and try it and help us learn more. Ironically, there is a correlation with diverse views and an open mindset to those who are open to their eating. I would start here with bringing some 'culture' to kids. Get them to open the minds about the world around them.

Statistics101 wrote: ↑ The question is at what stage should you take your kid to travel, read the title smartie.

Statistics101 wrote: ↑ That's a fair statement. At the end of the day I can't really force my kids to travel if it is not their cup of tea. I am not trying to mold them into something, just want to encourage them to travel and see different perspectives.

And no, I'm not trying to say a well-traveled person is a requisite to being able to hold an "intelligent" conversation, but it helps.

Macx2mommy wrote: ↑ The answer is at whatever stage you want. Sure, from babies to about 5 they won't remember much. So you are going for you and your partner and getting some pics so you can show your kids when they were cute and little they travelled. At school age, they will remember parts of it, they may not understand all the 'significance' of things, but they will be exposed to lots of things. Plus it gets easier with out all the carseats and stuff. Then as teens, it great a bonding time and giving them perspective, plus you teen is 'stuck with you' to continue building the relationship. Gets harder with school. University is great too, but they are busy schedules. I hope my kids will still want to come on a trip or two in the summer if they are not doing internships.

So that answer is anytime you can afford to do so. If you can't afford to take them, then just expose them to stuff. Honestly, just exposing them to other kids of different social economic back grounds will do so much. It's hard as I know parents (we are guilty of this) put our kids in the best experiences for them that we can. Usually that means activities that are near our homes, which mean most of the people there will be like us in terms of social economic status. We try the same for the schools as schools that have lower incomes sometimes have lower test scores, etc and seem less desirable. Even ones little community hockey or soccer team all has parents and families that are similar. It's a pain in the butt, but putting your kid in an activity that is from a less expensive area of the city has a lot of benefit or at one that has opportunities to meet kids from other areas (not just compete against them).

If you want kids who are have a growth or learning mind set, and have different perspectives, that starts at home.

Statistics101 wrote: ↑ I know a lot of parents who never leave the province with their children. Kids are a hassle to travel with, they get cranky and slow you down and you have to pay for their seats on flights.

A lot of people also have different definition of traveling. Visiting another culture, going to see the northern lights, spending an afternoon in the British Museum, or touring Angkor Wat in Cambodia brings knowledge and experience to your child that no books or internet resource can ever replace. Most people's definition of traveling is sitting inside an all-inclusive resort for a week, while it is still doing something away from home, its not really my definition of traveling.

From my own personal experience, a well traveled person can hold an intelligent conversation that match or even exceed any academics and scholars you can find inside a library. Believe me, I have 2 Masters degrees, I have worked as an RA and my extended family generated 3 doctorates, so I know a lot of academics.

Having young children of my own, I wonder at that stage of their lives should traveling become a thing. While I don't think a 3 or 5 year old can understand or appreciate a history lesson about the Mayan Ruins or the Forbidden Palace, I also found kids who never grew up with parents who takes them to travel would be hesitant to pick up a backpack when they become adults. Some people just likes to stay put in one place and not go anywhere, a lot of it comes from the fear of the unknown. I want my children to grow up to enjoy traveling and learning new things, get different perspectives about life from different cultures, and break down barriers and stereotypes about other people and societies and see the world the way it really is.

Statistics101 wrote: ↑ Thanks, your writing is always intelligent and insightful.

I'm not judging those who choose not to travel with their kids due to financial reasons. My apologies if I sounded like I was.

Statistics101 wrote: ↑ The question is at what stage should you take your kid to travel, read the title smartie.

Statistics101 wrote: ↑ The question is at what stage should you take your kid to travel, read the title smartie.

TrevorK wrote: ↑ This is a question I have given a lot of thought to, and I think I even made a similar thread.

Right now, I am of the belief that there are different types of vacations. For example, a "fun" vacation that is filled with various activities geared towards the children (example: children's museums, playgrounds, theme parks, beach) would be suitable at most any age (obviously the activity has to one they are capable of). However, when it comes to an "experience" vacation that is filled with different activities meant to broaden their perspective, I think you are looking at 6+ years of age because:
a) The child needs to be able to form those long term memories. Let's face it, at 2 years old there is little chance of a long term memory forming (the type that don't go away as they age).
b) The child needs to be old enough to understand basic geography to understand they are somewhere else.
c) The child needs to be old enough to ask "why" and formulate questions about things. This is the big one, as this is needed to start understanding things.
d) The child needs a schedule that can be flexible enough to be out and about, with the patience to walk around these attractions for long periods of time.

At 3 and 5, I would think your children are more in the "fun" vacation category. Close to the "experience" age, but not quite.

Where my opinion differs from some is that you do not need to travel to be well rounded. I would struggle to make that connection because simply travelling does not make one well rounded. What does is the experience while you are travelling, and I think where the big difference exists is with who you travel with. If the parents are out to experience culture and make their children well rounded that's difference than parents who aim to simply take a vacation. And, some parents can give their children that well rounded experience without travelling as well. I think it more comes down to parents who put an effort and play an active role, make more well rounded children.

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ Kids are pretty versatile. It’s often parents who have to adapt to a new way of thinking … outside the box