Does travel really broaden the mind for kids?
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Anonymous
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We know a few families with teens who travel internationally a lot - every spring, summer, winter break. Several long weekends. Cruises to the Galapagos and Alaska, trips to Europe and Asia, etc. etc. But none of the pre-teens/teens seem all that special or interesting. They stare at their phones, barely make eye contact or speak, even basic pleasantries which IMO are the bare minimum that should be drilled into kids.
We have a toddler and preschooler so not in the heavy traveling stage yet, though we will be in a few years. And we are fortunate to have enough disposal income to travel abroad frequently, as we did before kids. But I am not sure if we should - would it be better to stay home and teach basic manners instead? I know plenty of people (including pre-teens) who don’t travel much but they are very interesting to talk to. I would rather have my kids be like them. |
Anonymous
| I know what you mean. |
Anonymous
| It doesn't matter where you go if you don't make them leave the devices at home. |
Anonymous
| They don’t travel for kids, they are doing what they want, so do what you want. The kids will have a lifetime to do as they please when they leave the house but you may not. |
Anonymous
| Don’t depend on electronics to raise your children and they’ll be better off than a kid that spends hours on screens each day but flies to France a couple times a year. |
Anonymous
| I think you should travel if it sounds enjoyable and/or are using it as a family bonding experience. I do not think it’s remotely necessary to raising well rounded and interesting people. I also think the “enrichment” aspect is overstated at best |
Anonymous
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We have traveled a lot as a family of 5 and it definitely gives my kids an open mind and gets them out of their comfort zones but they also are biracial with an immigrant parent so I don’t think travel is not the only thing that keeps them more open and socially aware.
We also heavily restrict our kids electronic use (no one has cell phones) and I have a couple of middle schoolers. And electronics are not allowed in social settings that require interaction, parties, hikes, etc. So I think those issues are parenting issues that are not going to be fixed by travel. |
Anonymous
| The issue you are noting has nothing to do with travel. |
Anonymous
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I don’t know why traveling abroad is so alluring. We’ve done it with and without kids. But there’s an awful lot to do and see in the US.
My kids have done a few international trips and many US trips. I think they gained something from each experience, whether it was primitive backpacking, hiking glaciers or seeing shows and historic sites in London. |
Anonymous
+1. Travel has broadened my kids mind, enriched it, and given him so much cultural content. He is very social and polite and we have gotten numerous comments about this. He is 9 and can easily start and carry a conversation with any adult easily. We do restrict screens which is a whole different issue. |
Anonymous
Plus 2 |
Anonymous
| Travel is fun and a cultural experience, and it was necessary to see my family abroad.We go to museums and talk about the history and current events/government. As the kids get older (young teen and a tween), we'll do even more of that. I see travel as a privilege, but definitely not a necessity by any means. I know what you mean about screens and kids having no conversational depth. It's depressing. I try to do overcome that every way I can by giving them lots to think about and prompts to discuss, but it can be a challenge! I agree that kids can learn just as much from camping trips to national parks and long hikes. Just do whatever you can and mix it up! |
Anonymous
| Travel is great but the best years to go are between 5-10 |
Anonymous
| Not to blow your mind, but it's possible to teach kids manners anywhere, even on vacations. |
Anonymous
| I will say it seems like if you make travel a regular thing kids will like it more, but that gets back to if you are doing it because you like to do it |