My family just returned from a short trip visiting family.
With my son ending his years in high school and my daughter nearing the end of high school, it was important for us to go. Not just so we could visit extended family, but for us to spend time together.
I should mention that my current job allows us the flexibility to travel—I can, after all, blog from anywhere there is a wireless connection. But it is equally important to note that minimalism has increased our ability to travel as well.
Because we buy less stuff and spend less money on things like mortgage and upkeep, travel has become something we can afford. In fact, the first thing we chose to do with our increased financial flexibility from minimalism was take a trip—a short drive to the New Hampshire beach for an overnight with our kids.
Since then, “trips” have become even more important to us. Sometimes they are extended, and require considerable effort saving money. But other times, they are short—even staying a night at an affordable hotel in our city of Phoenix.
Regardless of the specific trip, I haven’t regretted any of them. Here are the reasons why:
10 Reasons to Travel While Your Kids Are Young
1. New Experiences.
Trips away from the ordinary naturally result in new experiences: new foods, new sights, new places, new smells, sometimes even new languages. Realizing that new ideas come from making new connections in our brain, the more new experiences our kids gather, and the sooner they collect them, the better their ideas and creativity in the future.
And the same is true for us as adults.
2. Lasting Memories.
I can’t even begin to count the number of conversations around our dinner table that have begun with the phrase, “Do you remember the time we…” Trips together always result in lasting memories.
Again, let me repeat, you don’t need to travel the world for a month in Europe for these memories to form. They can happen taking trips in your own backyard. But we will, undoubtedly, talk about some of these experiences for the rest of our lives.
3. Family Bonding.
This is our principal motivation for travel. Taking trips together as a family forces each of us out of our normal routine and into new levels of trust and relationship. We talk more, we make decisions together, and we experience new things together.
Pressure to act a certain way around friends is removed and our kids are able to be themselves. In the end, we grow closer together as a family—and when our trips are spent with extended relatives, those relationships are strengthened.
4. Trips are fun.
I recently heard a life-changing quote put out by The Hope Effect. It went like this, “If you make children happy now, you make them happy twenty years hence by the memory of it.” —Sydney Smith.
This idea is relevant to this conversation about taking trips with our kids while they are young. The fun we have together is not just lived once, but through their memories, experienced throughout their lives.
5. We Don’t Have Them Forever.
Life consists of seasons: childhood, young adult, young married, raising kids, empty nesters, etc. One key to making the most of life is to fully embrace the season you live in. For us, that is parenting two children who still live at home, but that season is ending soon for us.
We only get 18 summers with our children and it’s important to make the most of each of them. Taking trips together has made that possible.
6. Introductions to New Cultures and Ways of Living.
Through my work with The Hope Effect, some of the trips we have taken as a family involve visiting areas of the world where far fewer financial resources are available than where we call home. As a high school and college student, these trips in my life were highly influential in my understanding of how most of the world lives. And it has forever shaped my understanding of money and possessions.
I know not every trip we take (or can take) involves seeing the need around the world, but I think those trips are important if you can expose your children to other ways of living than your own neighborhood.
7. Teach Experiences Over Possessions.
Our trips continue to communicate to our children that experiences are better than possessions. Possessions fade, break, get stolen, and lose their luster. Experiences, on the other hand, remain with us throughout our lives.
8. New Opportunities for Responsibility.
Getting kids out of their normal routine provides new opportunity for responsibilities to emerge. Even something as simple as, “You are responsible to pack your own suitcase and make sure it gets in the trunk of the car,” fosters ownership for kids.
Other requests such as, “Get us through the airport,” or “Pick a place for us to eat dinner,” can bolster their decision-making skills. I even had one friend, for a home-school assignment, ask her children to plan almost their whole trip overseas—even calling hotels to compare prices and make reservations.
9. Travel Helps Break the Technology Addiction.
I want to be careful here, don’t mishear me. Going on a trip doesn’t mean our kids don’t bring their cellphones and it doesn’t mean they don’t use them—they still spend plenty of time on their phones during car rides and flights.
But, I have found that technology is less of an addiction when surroundings are new. When we are in a new place and there are new things to see and do, the pull of technology is, at least a little, less than when we are home. And believe me, I think anytime we can show our kids there is a whole world awaiting them off their screens, we are doing a wonderful thing.
10. Show Them It’s Possible.
I realize not everyone likes traveling to new places and not everyone enjoys trips as a family. But I do know there are many people who want to travel, but never do. For any number of reasons, travel is more of a dream than reality. Because we have taken trips together as a family, my kids know it is possible and how to go about planning and making it a reality in their lives.
I don’t know for sure if they intend to take their own families on trips when they are parents. But if they do, they will know it’s entirely possible.
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I know in this crazy world lots of things about travel are changing—and almost daily. And in some circumstances, going on a trip may not even be possible (or wise) for you and your family.
But if it is possible (as it was for us the last couple weeks), I highly recommend it—for the reasons listed above and countless others.
Katie says
I agree with everything you said in this article. We are exactly the same with our children and know they are better off for it.
CarrieH says
Traveling with kids is the best! Our kids are now all in college, but we still manage one or two family trips a year. We almost always drive, and this summer we camped at a lake an hour-ish away (seems the safest type of trip right now). Years ago, in 2006 & again in 2011, we took a month-long driving trip to several states and national parks. We saved for nearly a year and were pretty frugal with our food & hotel choices, making the decision to spend money on activities easier.
Shayela says
Love this! We are travelling around Australia (stopped for a while due to covid) I have 3 kids – 10, 8 and 5! We love the lifestyle and opportunities it gives our children! They are gaining so much life experience! And we have to completely embrace the minimalist life style :)
Check us out at Adventures All Round!
Gillian says
I’m glad that you were able to get away with your family and that you had a great trip! Travel is something that we have prioritized over the past few years and has definitely been made possible because of minimalism. We’re sad that we had to cancel a trip with friends this summer but are looking forward to a staycation in August!
joshua becker says
We have had to cancel a few as well. We’re glad this one finally worked out after a fair bit of rescheduling.
Hena Tayeb says
Aside from all the obvious horrors of Covid.. the thing I am most sad about is not being able to take my boys on another adventure, not for the foreseeable future.
Sue H. says
There is so much wisdom here. And I’ve had personal experience, both in traveling as a child, and much later in traveling with my children.
When I was young our family traveled all over the western United States by RV. As an introverted only child I frequently wound up being befriended by other kids in a given camping area. Sometimes because I was that bored and sometimes because the other kid was relentless. But I learned social skills that contributed to my later success in a world that isn’t really built for introverts.
Later in life when my own children (who are now adults) were young, my husband and I also took vacations by RV, and usually took my widowed mother along. I credit the bonding of my children and their grandmother with later saving the life of my daughter when she was a very troubled teenager (think every nightmare you’ve ever had about raising a teen). Because while her dad and I were caught up in dealing with whatever her latest crisis was, she could briefly escape to visit with her grandma and just be loved. And the foundation for that probably went back to those times spent together while camping with the distractions that crop up at home.
Valerie Rogers says
You are very wise. The travel experience, those happy memories, become more precious later on. I wasn’t from a travel family. I guess they were saving money or it was too much bother. In the end it’s not a bank account that matters; it’s happy moments, new experiences – strung like shiny beads of memory – that make life.
Beth says
Great post, Joshua, and Valerie, I loved your comment “it’s happy moments, new experiences – strung like shiny beads of memory – that make life.” What a great visual. :)
Amy says
I find this post untimely and a potential encouragement of rash behavior at a time when, while it is difficult to do so, it is so incredibly important to stay home in America, especially refraining from cross-border travel. I wish I could have read something on the positive impact of minimalism while staying home (time for careful reflection, spending less to give more for those who are suffering at this time, the joy of less clutter during a time when distractions in our constant space could drive us mad, etc), something that could offer the minimalist community a sense of comradery while many of us try to protect others – in short: a post relevant to our times.
Bob says
I could not agree more, very untimely. Read the room.
Sue says
Amy, Joshua isn’t encouraging rash behavior. He didn’t say to rush right out and travel to other countries, and not everyone has the desire or financial resources to do so. Not every post applies to every person and possessions. Memories don’t have to be because of long and expensive travel trips, and I think kids often remember family times more than buying “stuff.” Why not do things with your kids that don’t include buying? As Valerie said, “get busy living.” A person can do that no matter where they live.
CW says
Yes! Exactly!
Amy says
I agree as well. We prioritize travel in our family for many of the reasons Joshua listed and take several trips each year – local, across the US and abroad. But this post is a real disappointment. No one in America should be traveling right now, especially by plane and especially if you live in Arizona – COVID cases are soaring there! This is a reckless behavior that puts others at risk. Stay home! And quit promoting the benefits of travel right now. Sheesh.
Rochelle says
I agree. I’ve followed this blog for ten years and in normal times I would praise this post (my 6- and 4.5-year-olds have already been to several states and even to Scotland last year), but right now, “I flew from Arizona and visited several states while COVID cases spiked” is… a take. Especially from a blog with this big of reach.
SAFE travel is the thing I’m looking forward to the most (I had to cancel the trip of a lifetime with a friend I haven’t seen since March ’19), and the best way to do that is to lock down entirely, no cross-state travel, no “vacations” until we have this in control. At best, this post is reminding us what those who ARE taking proper precautions are missing out on right now. At worst, it’s promoting us to do the same.
Sunshine says
I know it’s hard right now feeling like so much of life is being delayed. For me, it’s important to be able to dream even. Dream of future trips and fun plans even though they are on hold right now. It is so good to be excited about the future. So we’re getting excited about a possible trip next year, and if we can’t go then, we will keep the plans going until we’re able to make that trip. Or we’ll make different plans. I know this doesn’t work for everyone, but a lot of people enjoy planning a trip even if it is in the far future or unknown when it will happen for sure. We want to be ready so that when it’s time to go, we can just go.
Kathy Vesely says
I just sent this article to all 4 of my kids. When the twins were in middle school and our “middle” child was in grade school, we lived in England (husband was in the Army and we spent 3 years there). We traveled extensively on the ‘Continent’ when my husband had conferences in Germany–we would oftentimes venture beyond. We also took vacations to Ireland and Scotland. Those memories of castles, etc. will last the kids a lifetime. We wouldn’t trade it for anything. Actually, the school ENCOURAGED families to travel to experience different cultures, even if they missed a bit of school. Our daughter was born in England, so she was too young to really experience these trips. Thank you for posting this. Every single bullet point is valid. (We were there in 1988-91, so LONG ago! Our daughter turns 30 this year!)
Betty says
Hello! Pandemic! What planet do you live on?
Lisa says
We recently had to travel for a funeral. And we were able to do so safely, despite the pandemic. Our area and the area we traveled to have not been hit hard by coronavirus. I was reluctant to go, but my husband felt it was necessary. Since we were around others we have chosen to quarantine for 2 weeks since returning home. We wore masks when necessary (at the funeral.) We safely stayed in hotels, purchased take-out food, and bought gas at the pump. I feel that we took all proper precautions. I’m sure Joshua did the same.
John says
Yup, just take precautions and use common sense where ever u choose to go. some people r afraid of their own shadows. Tourist areas like where i live r being financially crushed bc of heavy handed Bureaucrats so we will support them as much as possible!
joshua becker says
Thanks for the comment Betty. I live in AZ. We flew to see family in NE and SD, and spent some days in MO over the 4th. Just spoke with a friend in UT who is driving to visit family in WA this week. That’s what prompted this post.