Passion For World Travel But is it Risky For Kids?
My boys at the summit crater of Volcan Irazu, in central Costa Rica.
I have been a mother for over 15 years, and in each of those years I have taken my children with me on airplanes. Some folks do lots of extra-curricular. Some folks have Retirement Savings Plans. Some folks have a family cottage. Some folks have it all…..
We travel.
It gives my life meaning. I find it foundational in raising a big family; to see a bigger world than the sheltered suburbia where we spend most of our time.
Over the years many parents have expressed to me that it is their dream to take their children travelling, yet so many who tell me this don’t actually travel with their kids.
As I listen to those of you who hold travel dreams in your heart, it seems to me that the stumbling blocks between those who embark on life-changing adventures and those who have yet to take the plunge are as follows….
1. Fear of Getting Lost and Not Knowing What To Do
I research my destination so that I am prepared. Resources abound online for the adventurous parent. I equip my self with the necessary supplies and learn from the experiences of other adventurous families so that I know what to expect.
Often a travelling mentor can advise you on what transportation services are reliable and where to rent secure housing. Following in the foot steps of others who have gone before gives me the courage to know I am not alone in my adventurous spirit.
And once you are there, having the experience for yourself, there is simply nothing as exhilarating as discovering the world with your children.
Tim and I with the 5 boys and their Nana on the edge of the wilderness at Manzanillo National Reserve.
2. Fear of Too Many Details
When I am abroad, we generally stay in one location. It may be a lot to organize to get there, but once there we can unpack at one fixed address. Its usually in a remote and exotic location where there is little to do but learn the lay of the land, meet the people and let the first-world fade away for a time.
We may take day trips, or an overnight excursion, but in general with my young kids we do not back-pack. We root ourselves at our home base, allowing our children to settle in and take in our environment at their own pace.
As our kids become teens, I hope to do more back-packing, but for now the experience of travel to a home-base location is blessing enough. It keeps things simple.
3. Fear of Parenting Abroad
Life with children is always a challenging mix of adventure and the mundane. I personally don’t see the reason to wait till they are older or all grown up to travel.
My lived experiences of parenthood can and will happen wherever I am. I figure I might as well be creating life-long learning experiences for my children, and amazing memories and adventures for the whole family along the way.
And if it’s a tropical destination, I’d rather be run off my feet chasing a toddler in the sunshine than in the cold wind and snow.
My daughter and her cousin discovering a virgin Eucalyptus forest in Southern Tasmania
4. Fear For Your Children’s Wellbeing
I have noticed that children are born, raised, live and grow into adults all over the planet. Kids grow up in all environments and all political climates. Assuming your travel destination is politically stable, and that appropriate measures are taken for clean eating and drinking, there is no reason why our children can’t walk the world with us.
There is less to fear than we think and oh so much to gain. Check out my post WORLD TRAVEL - 10 Ways it Shapes Your Children for the best for more on how taking your kids with you round the world can benefit them.
Like the old saying goes…”There’s a whole world out there!” Isn’t it about time you got out there and experienced it?
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Mari-Claire Watkins is an Intuitive Philosopher, Engaging Speaker and Tarot Card Expert. She writes, reads and lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and 6 children.
Mari-Claire is available to read Tarot and speak at events all over North America.