Have we reached yet? How far are we from the hotel? Screeeeeeeeeeech...please stop I need to....well these are common back seat conversations if you are travelling with kids. After having said all this, travelling with kids is not that bad at all and trusts it is coming from the horse's mouth. Yes, it is not easy, but then who said parenting is easy.
Travelling with kids has a number of benefits of its own and it teaches some important lessons in life as well. To preach a little, in fact travelling with kids is also an important and vital part of parenting. It helps you mature as a parent away from the set discipline that you have earmarked for your family and also allows your children to discover themselves in new surroundings.
Kids help you to adapt
As an adult you find it difficult to adapt to new settings and culture. But children are free birds and blend wonderfully with the surroundings. They help you to learn about new cultures and people as they are quick in making friends with strangers. You shed your inhibitions as your child makes a new friend in the beach or in the hills. Even if your kid is not forthcoming, you will surely find some friendly tourist who will send their warm smile and start a conversation with your child. This will kind of force you to interact and mix with strangers and even locals if you are visiting a foreign land.
Kids help you to try new things
Be it experimenting with local food or trying out a new adventure sport - children make you do anything. Food is an integral part of any trip and if you want to learn more about a particular place, it is important to try out local cuisine. And what better way to spend vacation than to try out underwater diving with your 7 year old? Haven't tried bungee jumping yet and you are a father of two! Don't worry; your teenager will give you loads of moral support and encouragement to try out what all you have missed in all these years.
Children make you stay at safer places
Not all cities even in your own country are safe. But when travelling alone you still opt for cheaper options and go on a budget spree even if you can find affordable options in a city. But with kids in tow you wish to stay in central locations with convenient stores nearby. Opting to stay at safer locations also enables you to keep late hours as transport is not much of a problem anymore.
Give you reason to stay in an apartment
When kids are along, you will not look for cheap hotels and hostels. Instead you may look to rent an apartment. It will be a more economical and fun option for all family members. You may also look for luxurious vacation homes which are located in exotic destinations and offer amenities like well equipped kitchen, washing machine, HD TV and more. Cooking your own meals would help you reduce your travel budget especially when you are going on a long vacation. Besides, you little one's will feel more comfortable with home cooked food.
Children make you relax
Admit that you are on a holiday and not on a travel machine. You would want to make the best of your trip but a relaxed itinerary on a travel can be a pleasure for your body and soul. Having young children around you helps you to go slow and not squeeze multiple things in a single trip. A holiday also means bonding with your family which most of us forget. So, manage the pace of your trip keeping the youngest child in mind.
Life beyond gadgets and toys
The best part of travelling with children is that they learn about life beyond toys and video games. They will understand that living without a room full of toys is not bad after all, in fact it is so much fun. Internet and video games have become a part of child's life. But once you have put on your travel shoes, your child will explore so many other outdoor activities that they have been unaware of. Simply exploring the parks and gardens or even the local markets will help your child learn and discover new things.
You will never know how much fun it is to travel with kids without having traveled. You are most likely to face challenges especially if you are travelling with toddlers. Puking, cranky, or a crying child may spoil your mood a bit but then life isn't smooth sailing. It will toughen you and make your child travel friendly overtime. And yes! you will be the most sought after parent for those travelling with kids for the first time and who knows you might soon start a help column in a magazine advising parents with dos and don'ts of travelling with kids!
