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My four children are all grown and flying the nest now, very well equipped to explore wherever and whatever their hearts desire. My Nanna always said I had a wanderer’s soul, so perhaps that’s why I was driven to take them on adventures near and far. While at the time it seemed more for fun and adventure, I now recognise the many benefits these experiences contributed to their development and view of the world.
As a single Mum for most of my parenting life, it took some creative extra income earning, frugal living and prioritisation of ‘what we can do on our next trip’ over a pizza night. The positive influence on my little humans and the memories we now share was worth every missed bite of take out (though my kiddliwinks may have struggled with the notion of delayed gratification at the time!)
A smattering of the beneficial outcomes from travelling with our children:
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Cultivating Empathy and Understanding:
By exposing children to diverse cultures, languages, and traditions, we foster empathy, appreciation and understanding from a young age. In an increasingly plugged-in world, taking the time to engage your children with the world they live in, is literally a breath of fresh air.
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Sparking Curiosity and Creativity:
Travel ignites a sense of wonder and curiosity in children, inspiring them to ask questions, seek answers, and explore the world around them. You will be surprised by how much they absorb even at younger ages.
My 8yr old son was momentarily ‘lost’ in the streets of Naples and set himself up on the busy pavement of the shop we had been in, with his cap out for donations so he could buy an ice cream. He was apparently ‘starving’ in that 15mins it took to find him. I, myself, (other than being scared to death during the longest 15mins of my life) was impressed by his ingenuity.
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Creating Lifelong Memories and Bonds:
Whether it’s climbing the stairway to the sky of the Eiffel Tower, or splashing in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean, travel creates unforgettable memories and strengthens family bonds.
In our home, my children and I continue to reminisce about the highs – and lows – of our various travels.
Our frozen rainy stay in a Yurt at the Cliffs of Moher, sunshine and snorkelling in Malta and a favourite recollection being the flight home we missed out of Rome. It brings laughter now - though was quite stressful at the time!
Travelling with children isn’t for the faint of heart. There needs to be a lot of careful planning, forward thinking and for many of us on limited means – creative savings to make such dreams a reality. I’m happy to share my many lessons learned over the years.
Take heart that if overseas travel is just not on the agenda for your family in the near future, there are many ways to create travel-inspired experiences and reap the benefits from the comfort of your own home!
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Immerse Yourself in Culture
Set the scene of far away lands with vibrant decorations, traditional music, and mouthwatering munchies from around the world. Encourage your kiddliwinks to dress up in costumes inspired by different cultures and let their imaginations roam.
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Dive into Storytelling
Fuel your child's wanderlust with captivating stories that highlight different aspects of culture and nature around the world. Encourage curiosity around differences and chat around the benefits of diversity – as simple as all the yummy food choices we have!
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Get Creative with Crafts:
Channel your inner artist and embark on a crafting extravaganza inspired by different cultures. From making traditional Japanese origami to crafting colourful Indian rangoli patterns, the possibilities are endless! Encourage creativity and celebrate the beauty of diversity through art.
As we navigate the winding paths of parenthood (and in my case Nonna-hood), remember that the greatest adventures can begin right at home! By nurturing our children's sense of wonder and curiosity, we install in them the courage to dream, the curiosity to explore, and the empathy to embrace the rich tapestry of our world.
Together, let us embark on this grand adventure of raising confident global citizens who celebrate diversity, cherish exploration, and show up with respect and kindness wherever they go.
With love & magic,
Luna x
