Sugarika KC
Freelance trainer, Entrepreneur
Beware of myths
Traveling as a parent is a completely different experience. The responsibilities multiply by ten folds and so does the luggage. I have actually traveled with a potty for my two year old son. He fusses about using new toilets so I had to put that in along with the extra clothes, toys, food and medicines. There are always a hundred and one scenarios to consider and you have to be ready for it all. Traveling with your children is obviously tricky but I like to make it a point to take my two year old wherever we go.
A change of environment and routine is very good for them. Further my son is at a stage where he is noticing and learning new things. Rather than just pointing at a picture of tree or spelling out a color for him, I prefer to take him to places and show him these things. I believe they learn faster this way and you can also feel their confidence growing. I have always believed taking children on your travels is incredibly important and my experiences with my son so far only confirm this belief.
I think fathers also play a big role in making such travel plans a success. A mother alone can’t take care of everything. If there is team effort, traveling with your children should be a great experiShama Karki
Make-up artist
I have a son and he is already 17 but I still remember the excitement that was etched on his face when he saw an elephant for the first time on one of our family vacations. That moment alone had me convinced that we should take him on our travels whenever and wherever possible. Children may not have the right words to express their desire to gain more exposure and explore but I believe children revel every opportunity to do so.
As a parent of a teenager I can also guarantee that you will treasure those vacations you had with your kids when they were younger. I think, in hindsight, it has given my son a lot of memories to hold on to later in life. As they grow older, they are naturally more eager to hang out with their own crowd so I’d suggest you make the most of it. It’s not that older children don’t like traveling with their parents but it’s a totally different experience when they are young.
Then there is the fact that you are helping them comprehend exactly how vast and diverse the world is. Thus, as a parent, I have consciously invested a lot in travel plans.
Girley Agarwal
Senior General Manager, CG Education
While you are traveling with your children, you get an exclusive quality time that just isn’t a possibility when you are at home. On a day to day basis, you are focusing on your work, your child’s school, the chores and the routines. There is that regular rush and you also have to maintain a certain level of discipline. This is why I believe traveling is very important. It gives us all a brilliant excuse to take a break from that and have some fun.
I have two sons, the younger is nine and the older is 17 years old and we like to take them on trips at least once a year. I have experienced that travels also give parents an opportunity to express themselves. When you are away exploring new places and cultures along with your children, you too get to show a different side of you. You get to talk about a variety of things, participate in different activities, and generally just bond.
I think parents should take every chance they have to show their children the world. It’s all part of helping them gain courage and a sense of practicality to live an independent life. This is worth the extra expense, responsibility or inconvenience we might have to bear as parents.
