After reading a Telegraph article from Grant Feller who outlines his arguments to why he thinks far-flung luxury travel is wasted on the young, and why he believes it’s not worth doing until children are teenagers, I found myself questioning my own motives to why I believe in the importance of travelling with kids.
Is it because, as Feller concludes: ‘Don’t pretend you’re travelling the world for any other reason than you quite fancy having a good time yourself…’?
The importance of travelling… for me
Well, I’m not going to lie, of course, I travel because I want to go and see these amazing places myself. But is there anything wrong with that?
I’ve read several blog posts from travel bloggers who have categorically stated that they have no wish to have children because they feel that in some way this may impede on their lifestyles and freedom to travel spontaneously. And they’d be absolutely right…
But different doesn’t mean bad. And, while I can look back and compare my time as a traveller pre-kids, and see the differences to my experiences now and then – like having to be more organised  – travellers without children have no such comparison, they can only make assumptions.
Travelling With Kids – Time’s Have Changed!
While people who choose not to have children shouldn’t have to defend their decisions, it works the other way, too. I see so many parents who want to travel with their kids berated for it in some way or another. You only have to see the looks and glares to boisterous children on aeroplanes or around hotel pools to get a glimpse of the cogs turning in the minds of disapprovers – those who feel children should be muzzled and kept hidden away.
Feller describes his time as a youngster jetting across the Atlantic and exploring the US as boring but that was back in the 1970s. Dare I say things are a lot different now. Children’s needs and wants are much more catered for, as are our expanding families who are looking for more than just the usual sight-seeing and package holidays tours.
My son got to see an exploding geyser and Northern Lights in Iceland, and he loves telling people about that, as well as his first ride on a tuk-tuk in Thailand. He may not remember the finer details in 10 years’ time, but that doesn’t mean these experiences haven’t shaped him in some way.
Is it a waste of money to travel? No!
However, I do agree with Feller’s points that expensive jaunts around the world aren’t really necessary for young kids – Monkey is just as happy with an ice-cream and a walk along a beach. But although not necessary, it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done. If families have the means to do so, then pricey expeditions abroad is a lifestyle choice and children will benefit whatever the budget.
Why do kids benefit from travelling?
Well, put simply. Happy parents equal happy children. It’s a no brainer. Feller says these trips are wasted on the young, that they would prefer to eat burgers and chips, and watch cable TV in hotel rooms. While that sounds appealing to me, too, I mean there’s only so much local cuisine you can eat the whole time you’re away – that’s a huge over generalisation.
The importance of travelling with kids
Plus there are so many other reasons why travelling – whether it’s far and wide or closer to home – that are beneficial to young children including opening children’s minds and teaching them humility. And most importantly, that the world is a big place filled with different people and different cultures.
I’m proud to say that only recently, one of Monkey’s teachers told me that his knowledge and desire to explore is infectious. He is talkative about his adventures and confident in interacting with his peers as well as strangers. And I know this is because we have exposed him to so many places already.
Meanwhile, what trips aren’t expensive these days? Travel is a costly hobby. Airfares, hotel accommodation, attractions and even long weekends in the UK all add up. Budgets also differ wildly  – so ‘expensive’ to one family could be ‘reasonable’ to another.
In this day and age of rising living costs and full-time working parents who barely spend any quality time together, it’s not a waste to use your hard-earned cash for a once-in-a-lifetime trip – or a ‘big’ holiday once in a while. Yes, your children may not remember it properly when they’re older, but you will. That is the importance of travelling, wouldn’t you agree?
It’s never a waste of money to be able to spend quality time together as a family and share unique experiences, to strengthen the bond between you all.
To me, this is priceless…
As ever, you’ve totally hit the nail on the head. It also always annoys me when someone says, ah well I did xyz and it was boring/never did me any harm etc as if we can’t all possibly have different experiences. The suggestion we should let our kids sit in front of the TV and eat chips all day for a fortnight is baffling too – I’m sure my daughter would enjoy it (although I doubt for even a day!) but I wouldn’t want her to anyway. As it is, she’s curious, confident and still chats about her experiences on our travels – they’ve all helped form her in just four years, so I can only imagine the benefits it will have over the rest of her life.
great post! I don’t have children yet but I will want to travel with them too!:)
Well put Ting! That article annoyed me too. Yes, I’m not planning on going on safari or to the Maldives until they appreciate it a bit more but Mrs T and the newbie will get so much out of travelling. It had made her more rounded, curious, confident and willing to try new things. Very good point about happy parents happy children too!
In 1999 we took our daughters, then aged 12 and 9, out of school for six weeks and took them to UK. We had friends who had already applied to emigrate to Australia and we knew if we didn’t visit them then, we would miss the opportunity. Our daughters had a marvellous experience and it’s true they don’t have clear memories of a lot of what we did, but we often have conversations about that trip. Both daughters now have a love of travel and I’m sure that family holiday fostered their desire to see the world. I agree with you, Ting. You do what your budget will allow.
When I was 7 I travelled to Saudi Arabia for three weeks – my Dad was working there at the time. Although most of my other childhood experiences from that time are hazy, I remember the Saudi trip vividly. Everything was so different: the people, the streets, the weather….they say different experiences broaden the mind, and I’m sure it’s doubly the case when children are very young. Just think of all those new brain cells that must be proliferating during a foreign trip…
Exactly! Children are more open to absorbing new experiences and to gain that sort of exposure at such a young age bodes well when you grow up. I know we have 24/7 television and internet but as you said “the people, the streets, the weather…” can’t be felt over a screen.
I’m always going to pick the option of travelling overseas with my mini-explorer. It’s part of who we are as a family. It’s something we love to do and so far, our little one is enjoying the experiences too. It’s not a waste of money at all. It makes mama and dada happy, we have loads of great photos to look back on and it gets us out in the fresh air more, as most of the time we go to warmer, sunnier countries.
Sure I wouldn’t use my entire life savings on a swanky hotel stay for our family trips, but if an opportunity arises or we can afford to do it, then there’s no way that I wouldn’t go just because some random thinks I shouldn’t. Most of the time the naysayers seem to be non-travellers so they’re never going to truly ‘get it’ anyway.
Each to their own I say. So long as it makes you and your family happy then keep at it. 🙂
Priceless – I totally agree with that. We’ve always travelled with our son, almost from birth and it’s been wonderful (mostly!). He still remembers riding the carousel in Central Park in the snow when he was 3 (and many more things besides). Recently one of his teachers actually sent a note home saying how impressed she was with his ceramics knowledge, gained during a visit to the Delft pottery factory in Holland. That was a rainy day, we just crammed in the visit to escape the weather and he never talked too much about it to us but it obviously made an impact. Those experiences are priceless.
My husband and I have never traveled without our two boys. It’s difficult to travel with them , especially you have to tailor the vacation according to their needs, but I don’t think I could have fun without them.
I think we should travel for ourselves…Just make sure there are enough breathers just as parks or pools too. The kids can travel on their own when they grow up!
I love this post, what a load of rubbish, you have met our boys who have travelled from being tiny and are enriched because of it. In fact their world and general knowledge is astounding for kids their age. They love travel, and yes that suits us absolutely but their lives are better because of it. They have friends who have never travelled, and yes they are happy but they have a curiosity about the world and a feeling it is unobtainable, our boys know if you want to go somewhere then plan save and go ! x
Thanks Sarah. Exactly. I think all experiences when kids are young are a good thing. You cannot say that taking kids away is a bad thing or a waste of money. If everyone is having a good time then how can it be a waste? x
Great post – thanks for sharing your personal thoughts on the subject. It can be hard deciding whether or not to take your kids with you when travelling. There’s definitely a number of pros and cons to consider. But those who claim travel is wasted on children are not exactly correct. Although they may not understand or appreciate all the expenses or experiences along the way, immersing your child in different cultures and experiences at a young age can be highly beneficial and powerful to how they view the world.
Thanks so much Jane for popping by and leaving a comment. I couldn’t agree more with you!
Great post Ting! We always mad a point of doing lots of outings including travelling with our two girls when they were growing up and they still refer to many of the places we went to and remember what a great experience it was!
Made a point! Sorry for the typo!
Whether you work full-time or not whether you spend all your hard earned cash on holidays or things for the house – what is important as you said is quality time as a family. I find when we are away from the home be it a day or 3 weeks then this is where we are our best version of a family. We don’t have housework, homework or other distractions and have the best time.
Yes travel is MY passion and why I will never be cash rich but it is now my daughters too and she loves being part of the planning process.
I don’t think far flung is wasted for a second. They may not remember every last detail but I they will remember how they felt.
Exactly just this! It’s the same with us – we are not cash rich and I don’t have fancy clothes but I’ll spend everything I have on travel with my family!