Intrepid Travel can be as adventurous or mellow as feels right for you. Intrepid =adventurous, bold, daring, courageous, off the beaten track. Some could argue that any travel with kids is Intrepid!
As parents, we want the best for our kids and it can be a balancing act to also meet our needs as individuals. We don’t have to give up those things that make us who we are to be fantastic parents. In fact, I believe by following our passions, we become better parents and role models for our kids.
4 Major things I’ve learned on our journey:
1. Being authentic is a win-win. We start off as children feeling we are OK just the way we are, but life events can leave us believing we need to change who we are to become acceptable. As adults, we can start the beautiful journey back to be carefree and self-accepting. There are no benchmarks to live up to other than our own, with our gut feelings to let us know if we’re on the right track. By being true to the traveller in me, my son benefits too, as I steer him onto his path of authenticity. I’ve also noticed that being genuinely me, it frees others in my life to do the same.
2.Travelling with children is wonderful! I noticed Lucas developed a deep sense of self-security quite young, which wasn’t reliant on being in familiar surroundings. Exploring the world provides an unlimited and exciting kaleidoscope of scenery, culture and fascinating people, educating us in a way that nothing else can. As well as the educational benefits, I think the closeness I have with my son is largely due to the vast time spent together whilst travelling, and our variety of shared experiences. Please let the closeness weather the teenage years!
3. Travelling with Kids Can be Horren
dous-being together 24/7 has it’s moments! I want to eat at gritty local markets, where Lucas wails he’s going to throw up with the smell and sight of hanging carcasses; he wants pizza every night. Cumulative frustration takes on a whole new meaning. It astonishes me how these things can actually be funny later down the track. It can be a monumental test of patience (not my strongest trait to start with) and a big commitment, but the pro’s far out-weigh the cons.
4. The idea of packing up your kids and going travelling can be intimidating! It’s not surprising if even the thought of it is overwhelming. There are many alternatives to long independent trips, and a shorter trip with a family based travelling company, for example, may suit you the best. I sometimes get worried going to a new place but always leave confident in my abilities and so happy I went. You can do it too:-) !
Should you travel with your kids?
Look at why you want to. Travelling is hard work and can be expensive, so unless it’s something you have a genuine desire to do, then why would you want to? If, on the other hand, don’t seem to be able to shake the idea, yes, definitely. Get excited and start dreaming/planning; there are so many positives for you and your kids that will stay with you forever.
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