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Things I Learned from Travelling as a Kid

In: Blog, Family Travel, Travel Tips by Nicole Last Updated: October 6, 2020

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There are so many reasons why I think it is so beneficial for kids to travel and there are so many things that I want my children to learn from travelling. I am a big advocate of kids travelling partly because of the things I learned from travelling as a kid. Some of the best moments of my childhood were those of travelling adventures with my mom, dad and big sister. Some great stories that constantly get retold over family suppers and good laughs that make our eyes water.

Ruins of Castle Hohengeroldseck, Germany
Ruins of Castle Hohengeroldseck, Germany

So how was I so fortunate? Well, it was not from the money tree that was growing in our backyard! I grew up in a humble and hardworking family and travelling truly started from circumstance and a bit of fortunate luck. When I was 4 our family packed up our suitcases and boarded a plane over to Germany. This was not out of sheer desire or free-spirit plans, but a familiar story for any military brat with the “transfer”. So from Kindergarten to Grade 5, Lahr West Germany (at the time), was considered my home and this was where travelling became part of our family’s lives.

Travelling Kid Europa Park
One of the first places we went – Europa Park in Germany
Travelling Kid neuschwanstein castle
My grandpa came overseas a few years and travelled with us. Neuschwanstein castle, Germany
Herrenchiemsee Palace & Gardens, Germany
Herrenchiemsee Palace & Gardens, Germany

Our adventure had begun and my parents wanted to make the most of the situation. So that is what we did, whenever there was any opportunity to travel we did and here are 5 key learnings I took away.

1. Street smarts are what you can’t learn from a classroom or book. You only learn these things by putting yourself out there and exploring. Some things that you take for granted but things like learning to keep your belongings in a safe place, learning awareness and risks of danger, and being able to adapt in different situations.

2. Not to be a picky eater at all, but especially when travelling since you sometimes have no idea what you are ordering. Plus, when you are in a new place always try the local food, it’s an adventure on its own. Many kids can be picky eaters but when it comes down to it, if you are hungry, a kid will eat if they need to. My parents repetitively told me that we are fortunate to have food on your plate, so not to waste it. We always had to try something at least once before we said we didn’t like it… something I have ingrained in my kids as well.

Travelling Kid Barcelona
Anyone guess where we went?

3. Be grateful in all aspects of what you have. Travelling exposes you to other people who are much less fortunate than you are. Children’s minds are impressionable and exposing them to these experience will help them be grateful. Always be grateful for what you have and most often gratitude should be for the purest things in life such as family, health and education.

Travelling Kid Holland
Netherlands

4. Importance of family, it is the root of what shapes you as a person and the unconditional love that I have been fortunate to have. Travelling as a child bonded me with my family in ways that can’t be forced. Long car rides, airport layovers and all staying in the same hotel room builds up that bond with families that are irreplaceable.

Travelling Kid Van
One of the funniest road trips ever through Europe

5. Independence, the understanding and ability to be on your own came with an early learning for me. I recall in our school system in Germany, I went away of a week-long field trip to Switzerland to go skiing in grade 3. Now for any North American this may seem absurd that my parents allowed me to go with my school to another country for week in grade 3. Exposing your children to these types of opportunities will help with developing their independence.

Travelling Kid Skiing
School ski trip to Swiss Alps

Out of all the things my parents did right, travelling with us as children was one of the best things for me and I am so very grateful for that time I spent with them. These are memories and experiences that will be with me for my life.

Written in honour of my mom, Mavis Nadeau (Sep 21, 1951 – Jan 30, 2005)
– Loving Memories Last Forever

Travelling Kid Switzerland
Switzerland
Travelling Kid Scared
Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Travelling Kid
One of many walking paths outside of Lahr, Germany
Mom Spain jpg
Mom in Barcelona, Spain

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We are a Canadian family who loves to travel and recently finished an amazing travel adventure by taking our two kids around the world for 1 year. We have travelled to over 28 countries and 5 continents, with so many places in the world to see we are always up for an adventure!

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