THE BENEFITS OF FAMILY TRAVEL
Written by: Caroline Meyer
Most people will argue the fact that family travel is more hassle than it’s worth. It is expensive, you have all the kids in close proximity to each other for long periods of time, escalating the usual annoyance in to full scale warfare at times. Kids moan and groan about everything such as beds and food that are different to what they are used to. Kids are noisy and generally can’t sit still. There are benefits? Yes! Some of the benefits may well prove that the benefits outweigh the added stress of travelling with your children.
A VACATION SEEN THROUGH NEW EYES
When you travel with kids, the pace is generally slowed down a lot. This actually makes for a more leisurely time and you see a lot more. Kids notice little things you may not pick up on. They also give you a fresh perspective on things that you may have become quite jaded about. Those little mint chocolates on the pillows that you are so blasé about, can be found treasure to a four year old. That bush you just walked past, your child may see a bird’s nest or interesting flower. You will find yourself becoming enthusiastic about a ladybug and pointing out the 200th sheep along the road to your B&B. You may think you have seen it all, but it is a new experience when seeing it through the eyes of your children.
FUN AND REST INCLUDED
Your days tend to be very full when you travel with kids. If you are travelling with young kids, they will generally be in bed and asleep before 8am. Unless you have a late teen sibling or someone else to watch over them, it usually means an early night for you and some couples time as well. This means you get plenty of rest and relaxation as well. This also helps you get an early start in the morning to go do all the activities and sightseeing before the crowds arrive. You can also do some of the silly things you can no longer do as an adult on your own, but which are fine to do with the kids. Go on all the rides at the amusement park, enjoy the bumper cars, eat candy floss and ice cream, run around in a maze. Play in the waves and build sandcastles at the beach or roll down the dunes with the kids. Go to the animal farm or interactive zoo and play with the animals. You can get away with many things if you are travelling with children that would get you some strange looks if you did it as an adult alone. Admit it though; it is a lot more fun with the kids than it would be without them!
PRIVILEGES OF BEING WITH KIDS ON VACATION
There are many places that you wouldn’t be allowed in to as an adult on your own that you get access to when you are with children. On many ships and boats, the captains will allow children access to see all the instruments and even to steer the boat. At some zoos children are allowed access in to areas where they can cuddle with animals and feed them, which adults alone don’t get to do. A kid may even be allowed access in to the cockpit of a plane, which is almost certainly not going to be allowed to an adult on their own. It also allows you faster boarding on to planes as there is usually fast lane access for parents with kids for boarding as well as departing the plane and getting through immigration. Fast lane access can cost a lot of cash or you could spend hours in line, which you can often bypass when travelling with small ones. You often end up with more space too as other passengers move in to open seats away from the parents with children once the plane is fully boarded. Bonus! Another bonus is some of the freebies you get with travelling with children. Anything from a free book to small toys and gifts, to baked goods and ice cream may be offered. This often means a little treat for the adults as well. You also get to eat at larger, more spacious tables in restaurants instead of being squeezed in to a small table for two by the kitchen door. These tables are also usually out of the main hustle and bustle, giving you more privacy and more space for the kids to spread out.
FREE TRAVEL FOR KIDS
While there are a lot of extra costs when travelling with children, there are instances where you do not have to outlay cash for their travel. Many modes of transport offer free travel for kids under 12 so don’t be afraid to ask. You can also do some research online to find out which trains, boats, buses and so forth offer free trips for children. Many hotels will also allow kids to stay free if they are sharing with the adults or get more space by ordering a family room or double connecting room. Plenty of places also offer free entrance for children. Do your research before you travel so you can see which excursions you can go on with the kids that will barely cost you a thing. You may even end up with the benefit of private tours for the cost of the adults if there are enough children along or other tourists prefer not to travel in a car full of kids.
MAKING MEMORIES
One of the best parts about travelling with the whole family is that you get to spend quality time together. There is no school and work to worry about, no rush to get everything done, you don’t just get to spend time with the kids for 1 meal a day. You actually get to spend whole days together as a family. You do activities together and do things with the kids that will be talked about for years. You can take plenty pictures and videos as reminders, but some incidents will come up at every family gathering for years and years afterwards. You can actually enjoy your children without worrying about a work report that has to be completed or a function you have to attend. You don’t have to stress about your children being left with a caregiver while you are enjoying your vacation and there is no guilt at leaving them behind. It is actually mentally relaxing to have your children with you and enjoy the fun with them.
When you kids are small, this can be a perfect time to go on vacation together. Once they hit the teenage years, they can be a bit more difficult as they don’t always want to fit in with your plans and many of the other privileges no longer apply. They might also not want to be separated from their Snapchat for long enough to actually have fun. Enjoy the benefits of travelling with children and make many treasured memories together.