My friend Tara has three amazing kids who are a bit older than my own. I admire her and her partner as exemplary parents, so one day I decided to ask her for her most valuable piece of parenting advice. I expected her response to touch on themes like love, discipline, or consistency, but her answer caught me off guard.
“Always take the trip,” she told me. “When you’re unsure about whether to go on vacation, just do it. Spend the money. Make the time. You only have a finite number of years together as a family before your kids get busy with their own lives, and the memories and experiences you build together will be irreplaceable.”
I took that advice seriously. Now, as I reflect on my parenting journey over the past 16 years, I can confidently say that our family travel experiences stand out as some of the most cherished moments. It’s not merely about “being on vacation”; it’s about the multitude of positive impacts that travel has on us, both individually and as a family.
Here are some of those benefits:
- Traveling brings your family closer together. Even the tightest-knit families can struggle to carve out quality time together. A getaway from work, school, and extracurricular activities — not to mention chores and homework — allows for genuine family focus. While not every moment may be pleasant, traveling together inevitably creates family time, for better or worse.
- Getting away pushes everyone out of their comfort zones. While vacations can be fun and relaxing, they also encourage us to step outside our usual routines. Sleeping in a different bed, trying new foods, and meeting new people — even small changes can be beneficial. Sharing these new experiences fosters deeper connections and lasting memories.
- Navigating the unexpected builds resilience. Travel often comes with surprises. Baggage can get lost. Reservations may fall through. Weather can change unexpectedly. Learning to adapt and problem-solve under these circumstances cultivates flexibility and resilience — essential qualities for thriving in our ever-changing world.
- Experiencing diverse lifestyles fosters empathy. One of the greatest joys of traveling is discovering different ways of life. While international travel is particularly enriching for broadening cultural perspectives, even trips within our own country can reveal the diversity present around us. Leaving familiar surroundings allows us to recognize both the similarities and differences in how people live, making it easier to empathize with others.
- Engaging all our senses creates vivid memories. The world is filled with beauty. While photographs capture moments, nothing compares to the sensation of standing beneath towering Redwoods, feeling the ocean waves lap at your feet, or gazing into a vast canyon. Traveling stimulates our senses in ways that forge unforgettable memories, and these shared experiences become treasured family stories. Our kids frequently recall our adventures, often associating certain scents or songs with places we’ve visited.
We are grateful for every trip we’ve taken with our kids, including our year-long journey around the country as modern nomads. We may not have an abundance of money (if only!), but we find ways to make it work. We thrift our clothes, hunt for deals at garage sales, and save in other areas to prioritize travel. Remember, travel doesn’t always mean a grand vacation; even a weekend camping trip nearby can provide the benefits of family time away from home.
We have fully embraced Tara’s advice — always take the trip. We have no regrets and are confident we never will. If you’re interested in more insights about family journeys and home insemination, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination at IVF Babble.
In summary, the best parenting advice I’ve ever received is about prioritizing family experiences through travel. These adventures not only provide fun and relaxation but also strengthen family bonds, foster resilience, and create lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come.