Summer is almost here, and the kids and (some) parents can’t wait! The relaxed schedules, days at the pool, endless ice cream and NO MORE HOMEWORK! Let me say that again because this is my favorite part: No more tears for me or them over homework.
By this time of the year in Houston, we get a foreshadow of summer temps with less humidity and it fills me with excitement. Summer is one of my favorite seasons – I love grilling, my sun-kissed skin, longer days, and the opportunity to travel for longer periods of time with my children.
I know some of you reading this just got hives at the thought of traveling with your children. I get it! Traveling with our children is a lot of work. Sometimes, depending on the age of your children, you need a vacation to recover from your family vacation.
In 2018, I had this crazy idea to relocate our family to a different country. Months before we moved, I did a five-city tour of the U.S with the children all by myself due to my husband’s work schedule. In the time our family was abroad, we traveled and lived in three countries and visited over a dozen cities. During this time, the kids who traveled with us were 1, 3 and 4 years old. I’ve been there, done that sister, and I got the passport stamps and photos to prove it. Traveling is such an important part of growing up, for both adults and children. So, this summer as you consider what to do with the kids, I encourage you to consider road trips, and trips to a different state or country if the budget allows it. Here are three reasons you should travel with your children.
Learning Shouldn’t Stop in the Summer
When your children visit other cities, states, countries, and continents, they get firsthand experience of the culture. Even if you stay in a resort, they will learn something new about the guests, the employees, and at the very least, geography. In turn, you get to see the place from their perspective. This is probably my favorite part about traveling with my children. The words they use to describe places and their experiences give a fresh perspective to my adult mind. Our children learn how to navigate things like how to figure out where to sit in an airplane, and why the exit row is located where it is. They also learn to respect people with different accents and languages, especially during verbal communication.
A Time of Reconnection
Our lives are busy. Often, our children are just as busy. On vacations, we get to let go of the traditional schedule in exchange for laughter, adventures, and quality time together. This one is tricky and requires some planning on the parents’ part. But when it is properly done, the vacation is more enjoyable for everyone. I don’t know about you, but in my house, I am the serious mom. On vacation, I let loose and let the kids see a different side of me they don’t often encounter at home where never-ending to-do lists and homework seem to be the bane of my existence. When I travel with children, it is a wonderful time to relax and reconnect with them.
Honoring Our Bodies and Mental Health with Rest
Children learn from us. We teach them about hard work. We teach them how to be good humans, how to manage their finances, and interact with the world. We also need to teach them the importance of rest. It is on vacation we get to stay up late, eat even more delicious foods, and check out restaurants we might not get a chance to do at home. On vacation, our ultimate goal is to have fun and rest. Rest is an important skill for everyone to have. It helps us handle the rest of our years with grace and patience. When our body is at rest, it positively affects everyone in the family and our community.
As you finalize your summer plans, I challenge you to consider how you can add travel to your summer schedule for the family. There are many family guides to help you decide on the location and the attractions. Within the Greater Houston area, there are many hidden towns and attractions. In the great state of Texas where with a little research, you’d be surprised to find wonderful places to enjoy this summer and travel with your children.
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