Traveling With Young Kids
Overcoming the top three objections to traveling with young kids
We have been able to spend 3 of the last 13 months traveling as a family.
As we prepared for some of these trips we heard objections from many on why they don’t want to or didn’t travel with their young kids.
Reason #1 - The kids won’t remember it
This reason is one we hear often, and this is the one that makes the least sense to me.
I have never finished one of my kids kindergarten graduations and been pulled aside as someone shares how sad it is that they will not remember kindergarten.
In a world where people are playing classical music to the baby in utero for brain development, it is amazing to me that the learnings that come from travel have not been elevated to be a primary need for kids.
Will our four year old remember the specific sites on our trip to Iceland? No most likely not.
However, I do believe that formative experiences happen at these young ages.
Being exposed to situations and people that are not found in suburbs of Denver will create a strong foundation and expand their horizons of what they can become.
In the last 12 months I have seen my boys:
Swim with sharks
Be inspired by the creativity of Gaudi
Pray in churches over 700 years old
Eat strange local foods
Play with kids who don’t speak their same language
Be exposed to poverty not common in the US
Confidently play drums at the beach bar open mic
See the reverence of the Corpus Christi parade through Valencia
Spend many more undistracted nights as a family
These are the things they may never remember, but are slowly creating a foundation of confidence, empathy, love and bravery.
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” - Saint Augustine
Reason #2 - It’s too hard
This is one that is partially true.
Traveling with young kids can be hard.
Staying at home all summer can also be hard.
Running from camp, to sports, to activity, to family event, to church, to dinner with friends can also be hard.
Like most things - we can choose our hard.
This is what we choose.
Hard things become easier when practiced.
Through our practice we have learned a few things that make it more simple for us:
Primarily stay in airbnbs
Ability cook some meals at home
Pack less and use the washer and dryer
Direct flights if possible
Pack minimally for kids - We fit a pack and play and all four kids clothes in one suitcase
I get hangry - always have snacks for me and the 1 year old
Go slower - about half the pace if you didn’t have kids
Alternate big exhausting days with slower restful days
Each kid has their own backpack and that is all they can bring including their blow up booster seat
Have a plan for to burn energy at the pool, beach, playground or open space prior to the full family quiet time before dinner
Reason #3 - It’s too expensive
As you know personal finance is something I spend a lot of time thinking about. Certain types of travel are definitely too expensive for many people. I understand that.
I also believe where money is spent is a reflection of your priorities and for many travel is not a priority.
For me spending on travel is my favorite thing to spend on, here is why:
Anticipation - We have thought of going to Belize for years. In January we decided that Belize was going to be our destination for the summer.
As we prepared and carefully chose each Airbnb and adventure the excitement built.
The kids knew we would be snorkeling, driving golf carts, fishing, canoeing in mayan caves and they couldn’t wait to pack their bags.
Memory Dividend - The continued "payouts" you receive from the memory of an experience.
Each time you think back on a positive memory it is like receiving a dividend payment from the initial investment of the trip.
A prime example for me is our family road trip to Yellowstone in 2020.
The primary memory dividend is from an experience that can come only from traveling with a four year old.
As we walked through the national park, past geysers, bison and endless beauty little truly impressed him until he yelled with excitement…
He said, “DAD! I FOUND IT I FOUND THE “YELLOWSTONE”!
At least once every couple months something makes me think of that moment.
I am transported back to the complete innocence and excitement of that trip with him. This trip cost less than a few hundred dollars and it will provide me a memory dividend for hopefully 50+ years.
The Memory dividend theory is that material purchases really only bring momentary happiness in their initial acquisition, whereas experiences can provide happiness for years and years to come.
So How Much Does it Cost?
The interesting thing with travel is it can be done very inexpensively and it could also be one of the most expensive things you could do.
I am confident that the numbers of our two week trip to Belize will leave half of the people that see it amazed that we spent so much and the other half will be shocked it wasn’t more.
Send me a reply if you want to see the specifics of what we spent. I will be happy to share.
So should you travel?
I don’t know.
I am sure it may not be right for so many people and personalities.
For us over the next couple years our goal is to spend close to two months a year traveling.
I do believe that cultivating adventure and disrupting routines can bring memory dividends that you can cash in on for the years to come.
Summer 2023 is only half way done, so there are plenty of memories still to be made!
Creator Spotlight:
Garrett Gee - @GarrettGee - The Bucketlist Family was one of the first families we followed that prioritized travel with young kids.
The Bucketlist Family seems to excel at it all!
Garrett has sold a company, traveled the world with his kids, prioritizes his faith, family and friends… and has stayed JACKED. 💪