Before becoming a parent, I was the type who could never picture having a child. Especially when witnessing a full-on tantrum. And when it came to traveling, I was in horror. It was beyond me why anyone would travel with children! I was that person who would judge other women — why would they even bother spending the money and bringing their kids on vacation?!
Fast forward a decade later, and I have a kindergartener. (On top of that, I have a child who has ADHD. For one who could never imagine having a child, having one with a form of a disability can be a whole new strain!) Now, I could never think about traveling without my child! Trips with children are never perfect, of course, but traveling with kids really isn’t that bad. Here’s why.
1. Family travel is good for the soul.
There is no denying it. I have been traveling with my son since he was 11 months old, and I am grateful for every moment. Children experience things differently than adults, allowing us to feel things in new ways, too. Our first trip to the Dominican Republic was unforgettable. In between sandy beaches, my son cutting his first tooth, and giggles every time he hit the water, he had such an amazing time — even though he wasn’t even talking yet! Being able to provide an experience like this for your children gives you such joy. I never traveled as a kid, so knowing my son has been places I never imagined when I was younger is amazing.
2. They are only kids once.
We adults simply don’t have the vivid imaginations our kids do. And we view learning opportunities much differently and more seriously. No matter where you travel, your children can soak up new experiences as only a young person can!
3. They learn new social skills.
Having a child with ADHD means traditional playgroups have always been difficult for us. Some parents (and children) don’t understand the complexity, so we’ve experienced some judgments about my son’s behaviors or habits. When we see tantrums or a child running away like he’s in a marathon, most of us don’t stop to consider, “Is he OK?” But when we are on vacation, we don’t see as much of that negative thinking. And we’ve found that my son is better able to create new friendships with other kids. Being in a different environment seems to bring out great lessons in social interactions for my son.
4. You create lasting memories.
Memories are something our kids will keep long term. My son still remembers his first cruise, which means he looks forward to our trips every year. He knows each time we go on a cruise he’ll get to spend time in their devoted kid’s area, where he can meet new friends and introduce them to his dinosaurs. Knowing you can give them that type of experience is one that is unforgettable. Sure, it’s nice to be able to go on vacation with adults — don’t get me wrong. But watching our future grow up is so meaningful. Knowing our kids can use what they experience during their short trips and transfer it into real-life experiences is something we live for.
