Top reason why we travel with kids

I’ve heard it too many times: people saying kids won’t remember their trips when they’re young, that they’ll be a pain on the plane, and that our travel plans will have to be compromised.  Some even suggest leaving them behind, warning that we’ll regret bringing them along. 

But you know what? That’s just not true.  There are so many great memories that were created on our trips and when I ask about the details of the trips to the girls, you’d be surprised at how much they remember!  

Both of Keira and Raina’s first flights were when they were less than 3 months old.  Since then, Keira has taken on over 70 flights with us (about 40 for Raina, and should be even more if not for Covid).  That means we’ve weathered our fair share of the good, the bad, and the (very) ugly between all those flights! 

That’s to say nothing of additional considerations, like switching time zones, lugging around diaper bags, and, in the early days, worrying about milks and where the next puree was going to come from. Still, We wouldn’t have it any other way.   The rewards and joy of traveling with children far outweigh any inconveniences.

Travel has been an integral part of not only their development,  but our own. It has done for us what nothing else really could have.

Many researchers have pointed out the benefits of traveling – simulating opportunities for self-growth, building confidence, cognitive development, and expecting perspectives.  And there are even research that suggests kids who are well-traveled perform better at school.  

But for us, the top benefit we believe is building empathy and tolerance.

Empathy, as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is all about understanding, being aware of, and sensitively experiencing the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of others. It’s about opening ourselves up to connect with others on a deeper level, setting aside judgments, assumptions, fears, and stereotypes.

In our travel itinerary, we don’t just focus on the popular tourist attractions. We make it a point to include off the beaten path locations, exposing our children to local cultures and ways of life. This helps them break free from their comfort zones and face new people and situations in the real world, fostering their ability to empathize with a broader range of individuals.

Naturally, our instinct as parents is to shield our children and keep them safe. However, by sheltering them too much, we inadvertently limit their worldview, making them believe that there’s only one “correct” way of living. By teaching our children to connect with others, despite language and belief barriers, we equip them with a valuable asset that will serve them well in the real world.

When kids travel, especially to foreign countries, they get the chance to witness different socioeconomic backgrounds up close. They see that not everyone is as fortunate as they are, cultivating a genuine appreciation for what they have and nurturing compassion towards those who are less fortunate.

/ [siem reap]

So, in addition to the incredible experiences and memories they gain from traveling, our children also develop essential qualities like empathy and compassion, preparing them to be more understanding and caring individuals in the future.

Travel writer Anthony Bourdain once said, “The journey changes you. It should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, your consciousness, your heart and on your body. You take something with you and, hopefully, you leave something good behind.”

That “leaving” of something good may be a small connection with another human being. A moment of empathy.