If you want to take your kids around the world but you have some reservations, then you are not alone. So many people are in the same situation that you are in right now, but if you follow this guide then you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to have the best time without breaking the bank.
Your Kids’ Education Won’t Suffer
People who come from Western countries believe that they are being given access to the best education around. This is understandable, but if you take your kids out of school for a year then that doesn’t mean that their education is going to stop. In fact, it is actually going to carry on for quite some time. They will learn so much when you spend your time travelling the world with them and this is the case for children of any age.
The World is the Best Teacher
No book, movie or even TV show could teach you about what you can learn about the world through travel. A textbook will never give you the same experience of watching the sunrise at the top of the Mayan pyramids, or teaching you how to make a coconut curry when in Cambodia. You may feel as though your kids are too young to appreciate things like this, but this is not true at all. It’s now easier than ever for you to show them the wonders of the world and have them learn a great deal at the same time.
They Can Learn Another Language
Your kids have the amazing ability to learn languages fast. Kids as young as three can pick up on new languages as this is the optimum time for them to be learning. If you are able to teach your kids the ability to learn another language, then this will go on to benefit them for the rest of their lives. You may find that they have much better job prospects and this can work in your favour as well. If you want to travel to an English-speaking country, then you may be wondering “can I travel in the U.S. right now?” and this is understandable, so it helps to do your research so you can keep up with the latest changes.
Kids can Soak up Details
Your kids will soak up knowledge and they may even notice things that you don’t. You may find that your children are able to pick up on obscure facts about dinosaurs, and that they also remember a lot about geography as well. It’s great to watch your kids absorb information without any kind of preconceived idea or prejudice.
Entertainment can be Found without Tech
So many people believe that children need toys every single day, and that they need a lot of them. This is not the case at all. Cell phones, video games and more have become so common that it’s not rare to see one or the other, in every single room in the house. When you are taking off to another country, you can take the opportunity to really pare down and get rid of a lot of the useless items you have around your home. This can be empowering to say the least. If you are able to get out and on the road then you may come to the conclusion that most of the stuff in your life is just tying you down, and that it’s not necessary at all.
The Experience is the Gift
If you want to make your kids have the best time, then it helps to give them their own camera so that they can take shots. This is priceless to say the least, and it’s a great way for you to kill some time while giving them an utterly enriching experience.
Your Memories and Photos are Enough
It’s important that you teach your kids that the experience itself is a gift. Your memories and photos are more than enough to give your kids fond memories for years to come, and when you get back from your trip it’s very easy to make up your own photo albums with your kids’ help. This is a great way for you to show them what a journey they have had in life and it also gives them something to look back on fondly.
There Are More Ways to do one Thing
If you travel the world with your kids, then they will learn that there is more than one way to do something. For example, you may boil rice on a hot hob with a pan, but if you go to another country then they may use a wok and an open flame at the side of the street. This is a priceless experience and you can learn so many new and unique skills by simply being open-minded. This helps them to be open to change and you may even find that it spurs on their curiosity.
Become Appreciative
When you go to another country, you may find that you are more thankful, tolerant and understanding of the culture. You will be more aware of how things bring people together and how people are also driven apart. This can have a huge impact on your kids throughout their lives.
Your Kids Might be Eager to Explore
A lot of people think that it is selfish to take kids on a tour of the world, but this is not the case. In fact, when you take your kids away from their peers, you may find that they express some discomfort but at the end of the day, you are giving them chance to make new friends and take onboard new experiences. This can give them a new and fresh perspective and it can also help them to become more confident. If you want to get the best experience when travelling with kids, then it is helpful to talk to them about the way that they feel and if there is anything in the world that they would like to see.
Inspiring your Kids
You may have older kids who want to travel with their friends. This is great but you still need to give them a foundation to build on. If you travel the world with your kids, then you can inspire them to go and tackle other destinations on their own or with their own group of people. Your kids can also tell their friends about their adventures, and this can go on to inspire them overall.
Travelling with Babies and Toddlers
If you want to travel with a baby or even a toddler then this can be daunting, but at the end of the day, there are so many people out there who are doing it right now. Sure, your child might not have any vivid memories of their travel as a baby but that doesn’t mean that they can benefit from the travel lifestyle.
Naps and Snuggles
The great thing about travelling with a young child is that you can make more time for them in the day. When you are at home, you may feel as though between chores and work, you have so much going on and you can’t possibly hope to manage it all and spend time with your child. When you travel, you may have 8 hours or so to cuddle your baby, or to talk to your toddler about the new adventure you are going on.
A Sense of Home
When you travel with a young child, you may find that they develop a huge sense of home. After all, your child will learn that home is where family are, as opposed to just being a place. Your child will have more time to be shaped by you, as a parent rather than the environment, which is ever-changing. You may find that your child learns how to walk in Vietnam and reads their first book in Australia. Either way, your child will grow up knowing that home is where you are, and this can come with its own benefits along with a sense of safety.
You can Learn from your Kids
Your kids really aren’t the only ones who are going to be getting an education when you are on a family trip. Giving your kids the chance to learn is great, but at the end of the day, you can also learn as well. Travelling as a family will benefit everyone but in a very different way. Famous sites and even museums will get very boring for kids after a while, but if you go to a child-friendly destination then you may find that this gets old, fast for mom and dad. Having a successful trip is all about changing things up and the more you can expose your kids to new and interesting things, the more likely they will be to enjoy the new sense of travel.
So there really are many benefits to taking your kids with you around the world and if you do decide to take the leap, then you may find that you are able to book numerous vacations for a very affordable price. Just make sure that you focus on going to non-tourist destinations and see how far your budget stretches.