Lessons My Kids Are Learning from Travel
Travel is a true privilege no matter our age, but so often with kids it can feel daunting, stressful or simply like extra work that we put on our shoulders as parents. But there are also so many incredible lessons that kids have the chance to learn from travel. When we have the opportunity to take our kids along to learn more about the world, we also get the chance to help them learn more about themselves. Here are some of the things that my kids are learning from travel.
Adaptability
The uprooting of my kids from their normal, comfortable environments is building a flexibility in them that I sometimes wish I had a bit more of myself! Being exposed to travel has helped them learn that they can sleep in new places, eat different foods, watch a performance in a different language, deal with different weather and find contentment in new activities.
Ultimately, I think they find a special joy in new places and in change, which I hope they will carry with them into their adult lives.
Compassion
Getting to know places and people that are different than them is so important for kids. Travel has the opportunity to open up their understanding of people and places that are otherwise removed from them. This compassion is born out of easy steps that we take as travellers, but that make a huge difference in opening up our kids’ minds to the world.
Learning more about different histories in museums, connecting with nature in a new place, or even simply observing other children in their normal routines, on their way to school or interacting at a local park, can all be super formative experiences for kids.
Of course, some types of travel aren’t as conducive for these kinds of opportunities. Resorts can be wonderful and relaxing, but won’t provide the same kinds of local experiences that you might get if you stay off of an exclusive property and connect to the local world. I’m not saying that resorts are inherently bad – just that they serve different purposes!
Curiosity
Exploration of the world, be it around the corner or across the globe, builds a natural curiosity in a child that invites them to keep seeking. This is one of my favorite things to witness in my kids – their love of learning in each place that they visit. It has surprised me, to be honest, that even at young ages, they can learn to ask questions about so much and retain the tactile experiences that they have. It’s my hope that this becomes a life long interest in learning more about the people, places and habitats of the world.
Wonder
There is such great joy to be shared when your child is awestruck over something they discover out in the world. Watching your child experience things for the first time is one of the best rewards as a parent. Travel provides so many opportunities for this type of discovery. New scenes, new animals, new ideas. Importantly, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars at Disney World to find this. Even driving a few hours to the next state over provides so many of these opportunities.
Patience
If you have ever traveled anywhere you probably know that there are many lessons along the way in patience. We have to wait in lines at the airport, or in traffic, or for food when we’re hungry. There are almost always complications that arise in some way, shape or form. So often, even as adults, we are looking for how to avoid these setbacks. With kids on board, delays or slow downs can be even more frustrating. They can also be incredible teachers in managing frustration, boredom, or even disappointment when something doesn’t live up to our expectations. We learn that we don’t have control over everything and that we aren’t the center of the universe.
Going through these things as a child builds patience, resilience and, hopefully, a strong framework for managing setbacks on your own as an adult. Of course, this means that kids need to see their parents handling frustration and disappointment well, which is something I have failed at numerous times. But those times when I have been successful, I see the value in them experiencing frustration. Don’t avoid travel because of the unknowns – embrace what they will teach your family.
These things that my kids have learned, and are still learning from their opportunities to travel, are such valuable lessons. I’m so grateful for the chances they have to learn in our world.
Looking for tips on traveling with kids? Take a look at one of these…
Ultimate Tips for Flying with Kids
