Is Traveling With Young Kids Worth It?

You and your spouse really want to travel the world, but will your 4-year-old benefit from the trip? This is one of the many concerns parents have as they plan a holiday or long sabbatical.

Is traveling with young kids worth the cost and effort? Will they remember how fun, interesting, and unique a certain place or experience is?

Perspective can be gained at ANY age!
We get this question all the time usually from parents who are flirting with the idea of extended family travel. Yet, it may be more of an excuse that manifests as a concern.

I understand most people believe that there is only one way for children to learn (school), that their peers and a familiar environment are essential to stability, or that they may be too young to appreciate different perspectives.

These concerns are valid in that most of us were raised to place value in school, friends, and a stable home. And what do we remember from our early vacations or early life in general for that matter?  Probably not much.

However, travel with kids IS worth it.  It's an enriching experience for the entire family, not just the adults.

We, as home schoolers prior to traveling, had already adopted the philosophy that children are always learning, most significantly through experiences -- not text books.  After traveling outside the U.S. for the last 7 years, we've put this philosophy to test and know it to be true.


What's important is not what the kids are giving up by taking time off of school, it's what they gain by traveling. The option of school will always be available, but travel teaches something that school never can. Travel transforms the mind, cultivates an open and accepting attitude towards the world, teaches adaptation, and helps see the Universe for all of it's possibilities! And those are just some of the lessons from travel.

In a way it's even more beneficial to travel with kids when they're young.  If kids absorb knowledge like sponges and experiences are vital to shaping them, doesn't it more make sense to travel while they're younger?

Teenagers are usually deeply entrenched in their activity schedules and peer groups, and they're likely already following a set of rigid beliefs and may benefit less from travel than younger children. Of course the argument can be made that teens will benefit the most from travel because they'll "remember" more of the experience. It's just that they may miss more things about home than the younger ones will.


Leaving friends and familiarity is the toughest thing about extended travel, but more so for us adults than the kids. Sure, the kids will have moments where they miss their pets, friends, a certain feature of our house or neighborhood, or even something as small as an old toy.  But these are quickly displaced when a new attraction is placed before them.

Interestingly, young kids typically have a much easier time adapting to new environments than their parents. They don't have all the cultural rules and norms ingrained in them yet. Therefore they can jump right in and enjoy exploring everything in the new environment. While parents, on the other hand, feel so anxious about change that they are reading an article like this! (It helps that you can find a McDonald's anywhere on the globe, I promise).

It is worth noting that our attitude as parents is one of the most important characteristics in our children's environment no matter where the location is.  So if travel is making you anxious and crazy, your children will likely feel and associate that with a certain location.

Simply put, no matter how young they may be, children absorb the environment around them. Exposure to new environments can broaden their world view which comes with countless intangible benefits. This expansion of awareness can only take place by experiencing it first hand.  Even if it could be learned eventually by reading enough books, which is a more enjoyable way to attain this awareness?

In that sense, travel is an eternal gift that you can give your children. They will benefit greatly on multiple levels, and these benefits will last a lifetime even if their memories of specific events may be fuzzy.

But your children will remember a lot more about your travels than you may think. Through conversation, photos and our blog, we remind each other often of our experiences at different locations. However, we may remember each location in our own unique way.  We remember in what ever way it is that we need it most at the time and that in itself enhances travel for each of us collectively.


When we asked our kids what they liked best about Asia, the oldest son answered "food", our middle son said "riding motorbikes", and our youngest said plainly "they have elephants." These are normal kid responses, but each answer was summoned by rich and exhilarating experiences that touched them in some way and fundamentally changed their perspective on the world.

People often ask when is the "right" time to travel is.  My response is, "right NOW"!  We have seen first hand how valuable it is at any stage of life!

To hear more about what other traveling families think follow the links below and enjoy!

Nancy from Family on Bikes
http://familyonbikes.org/blog/2013/05/why-travel-is-good-for-kids-even-if-they-dont-remember-it

Catherine Forest from Catherine et les fées
http://catherine-et-les-fees.blogspot.com/2013/05/travel-memories-much-more-than-what.html

Alisa from Living Outside of the Box
http://livingoutsideofthebox.com/2013/05/28/but-will-our-kids-remember/

Melissa from Break Out of Bushwick
http://breakoutofbushwick.org/never-too-young-why-travel-isnt-wasted-on-kids/

Bethaney from Flashpacker Family
http://flashpackerfamily.com/is-travelling-with-young-children-worth-it/

Jenn from Edventure Project
http://edventureproject.com/why-travel-is-not-wasted-on-the-very-young/

Kris Herwig from Simon Says
http://simonsays2010.blogspot.nl/2013/05/traveling-with-tots-world-is-my.html

Heather Costaras from Living Differently
http://liveagainsttheflow.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/the-gift-of-travel/

Kalli from Portable Professionals
http://portableprofessionals.com/philosophies-on-travel/why-i-dont-care-if-my-child-remembers-our-travels/

Kirsty from Barts go Adventuring
http://bartsgoadventuring.com/will-kids-remember-travel-is-it-worth-it

Anne from The Journey is the Reward
http://anvl.travellerspoint.com/65/

Sharon from Where's Sharon
http://www.wheressharon.com/2013/05/why-travel-when-your-kids-are-too-young.html

Annie from Practical Adventurology
http://www.annieandre.com/2013/05/why-travel-with-kids-wont-remember

Lainie from Raising Miro on the Road of Life (and Aimee from Suitcases and Strollers): http://www.raisingmiro.com/2013/05/28/doubt-that-travel-has-value/

Nichola from We Travel Countries
http://www.wetravelcountries.com/why-travel-when-they-wont-remember-experience-vs-memory/

Corey Anne from Adventure Bee
http://www.adventurebee.net/2013/05/28/childhood-travel-do-kids-remember/

Tracey from Expat Experiment
http://expatexperiment.com/why-travel-when-mak-wont-remember/

Natalie from Magnificent
http://earlyeducationessentials.com/travelling-with-young-children-would-they-remember-an-amazing-revelation/


Follow our travels on Facebook and Twitter!


Sharing is Caring

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

38 comments:

  1. We remember each country or place we travel not by the actual activities we did either... it's more like what we learnt on our journey. Especially with a little kid, you remember the different places that had all their "firsts".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely! Or where they lose a tooth or break a leg or learn to surf...the list is endless as to why travel is not wasted on the young! The cool thing too is that it enhances my experience as a traveler because they are so amazed and full of joy over things I may just pass by if I were on my own or with just adults.

      Delete
  2. I grew up in a vacationing family. My parents never stopped themselves from experiencing something new because of having a young child. Now I have my own children and I constantly remind my husband (and myself) that we will not be those people who don't do things because of our children. We must accept that there will be hard days and look to move past them. My 3 year old has already been to 3 countries other than the US and we are planning two European vacations this year! I know that my kids (3 and soon to be 1) will not remember any details of these trips. But we only spend a limited amount of time seeing the world through a child's viewpoint. I wouldn't keep them from experiencing new things just because they won't remember it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good for you! I love travel with kids because aside from how wonderful it is for them I also have my experience enhanced by seeing things through their eyes. I would have passed things and never noticed or been to afraid to do something but my kids make me braver and help me to see so much more little detail!

      Delete
  3. I like your point that each child gets something different from travel, but that they are all enjoying it from their own perspective. It's really true that travel will help kids find what they enjoy early on because of their exposure to so many different things.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No doubt about that! My kids have been exposed to so much more than they would have if we never traveled.

      Delete
  4. Mary, I love that you specifically mentioned that it's about collecting intangible benefits. YES! I definitely agree. You know, I didn't travel an enormous amount when I was a kid, but I have many memories of those trips... Sleeping close to my mom while we camped, driving along seeing the country change... Those experiences helped shape me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree Melissa, I did not travel a ton as a child and I have very few memories but nearly all of them are surrounding some type of trip. I think perhaps the lack of travel and seeing what my perspective was at 25 is what led me to be so passionate about travel for the kids.

      Delete
  5. Mary
    Thank you for living your life to the fullest and having the courage to raise your kids joyfully - trusting them and yourselves as parents takes courage and conviction! I hope our paths cross again some day!
    Anne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Anne! Perhaps we will see you in Washington:)

      Delete
  6. Yes, yes, yes! We each remember experiences in our own way, and my kid's memories of our travels have different meaning than my own. I love how individualized the experience is for everyone! I also love how you say "If kids absorb knowledge like sponges and experiences are vital to shaping them, doesn't it more make sense to travel while they're younger?" It seems silly to suggest that young kids aren't worth traveling with!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly! The early years are so important why not travel and show them the world and a more global perspective..it does stay with them even if they don't remember the exact height of the Eiffel tower from that tour:)

      Delete
  7. Great post! I definitely think that the attitude that it's not worth travelling with kids until they are old enough to remember is an excuse. A very badly thought out one at that!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, a quick go to excuse. I mean I know people are always searching for the perfect time, what they don't know is that nothing is or ever will seem perfect...it is all perfect!

      Delete
  8. Travel is indeed an "eternal gift" with "intangible benefits"!! For anyone and everyone, including the little ones. And there is no time like the present. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! We sure think it is valuable!

      Delete
  9. Hello:

    Somewhere, as a society we went from family being a unity that did everything together to where children are too often viewed as an inconvenience or burden. They should be seen and not heard. We take our boys everywhere and seldom get a babysitter (once in a while for a romantic night out). They have traveled the world with us. Consequently, they have grown up seeing the world and learning all it has to offer. This has profoundly shaped their development. We cannot imagine sharing the experience without them. Take your children with you and enjoy seeing their faces as they see new places and people. We look through our albums and remember the times we have had together.

    Curtis

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree and we live our life the same way, I cannot imagine not experiencing all this world has to offer without the kids. We go everywhere together!

      Delete
  10. What a great post, Mary! So much truth in there! Right now sure is the best time to travel!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Couldn't agree with you more..
    After a year of slow travel, we chose NOT to do the nomadic thing (our main goal was language immersion) so we up camp in France and travel to surrounding countries; however the difficulties you described are similar for our children in terms of the pain of leaving the familiar behind.

    My eldest boys (who were 13 and 14 at the time)were experienced travellers however they always knew they would return home in a month or two. This time around we have an open ended trip. They felt like their whole world was crashing down on them by leaving a very comfortable and familiar life behind in the San Francisco bay area. At First they fought it and rebelled but after a certain amount of time they have learned to adjust to the change even welcome it. I can hear it in the conversations they have with family and friends back home. PHEW.. It got so bad that we thought we made the wrong choice for them. Through it all, they are learning that there is a life beyond the familiar and that it is ok to take a chance and do something different. Or at least I hope that is what they are learning and more.

    My advice for anyone who encounters a bit of backlash is stick with it. The benefits far outweigh the pitfalls because what they gain from travel far outweigh anything they lose.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with that advice for sure. Our kids have been traveling a long time so luckily we didn't have much backlash from them:)

      Delete
  12. I really don't think anyone has put it that way before!. Your blog is definitely worth a read if anyone finds it. I'm lucky I did because now I've got a whole new view of this. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, I believe it with all my heart! It is so wonderful for all of us!

      Delete
  13. It still just boggles my mind that anyone would ever even suggest that travel with kids ins't worth it. I guess the people who say that are usually the people who don't travel at all. They just don't get it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree Clark. I think people that don't travel as much as we do think of travel more in terms of vacation and the price tag that goes along with that type of trip. Cost becaomes the driving factor, so on that level I can see why they feel waiting until kids remember might make more sense, although I disagree:)

      Delete
  14. Hiii, you guys are awesome! interesting post and has a lot of enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
  15. thanks for this post, I am going to have a baby in a few months and love to travel, and I was worried.. until I read this.
    thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! It is really amazing how many people do this whole travel lifestyle thing and with kids of all ages. I actually think with little ones it is easier than when they get older!

      Good luck and congrats, get traveling as soon as possible!

      Delete
  16. Enjoyed reading this Mary, I totally agree about kids own perspectives from travel. There's no telling what they will take away from trips!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No doubt! My kids remember the funniest things.

      Delete
  17. I always travel with my kids. It’s an opportunity for them to learn and get experiences. Also it allows me to live close to them and spend some time with them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good for you and I totally agree. My kids learn so much but even better than that is how much they teach me throughout our travels!

      Delete
  18. The article was very useful for me, I learned the beneficial value of taking the kids along with me for a vacation

    ReplyDelete
  19. Its up to the parents to decide this. I take mu child all over the world when I take a flight. hes 10 Years old and he can think and remember where he goes with me. All that matters is that you make your kid see new places, cultures and make him/her happy by the end of the day so, yeah traveling with your kid is wroth it (Builds more family bond)

    ReplyDelete
  20. As a mom of three I love to travel with my kids. They can learn new things from each and every journey and it allows me and my husband to enjoy the life with their smiley faces.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I know how to handle my kids when we go to outside the country because they like to do some adventurous things. Last year we visit Spain and rent luxury villa near beach which was fully furnished with all kind of facilities. We also got some discount offers on the services and also for kids entertainment. My kids are doing swimming,surfing and fishing. They really enjoyed their vacations by doing all these things and that was totally worthy vacations for all of us due to lots of savings.

    ReplyDelete