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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My kids are 12 and 14 and we’re doing our first overseas plane trip this summer. It’s been sort of a slow build up to a more ambitious trip every summer, peppered with lots of random long weekend-type trips nearby. Our best memories are in the most random spots, and I hope that they’re learning to keep expectations low and be pleasantly surprised by the little things. Our list of places will not be impressive to anyone who frequents this site. But when they head off on their own, I hope that they’ve learned to move confidently (and safely) through unfamiliar places, to be curious, to enjoy small pleasures and to make the best out of challenging situations.[/quote]

I love this approach. Our kids are 6 and 8 and our most adventurous trip so far was Puerto Rico, given a 2 year lull where we didn’t fly during Covid. We made a list of our dream trips and favorite memories from our childhood and plotted out the activities and ages to best participate and enjoy them - as well as whether or not it’s a first flight. Our vacations are vacations - not trips. Dragging a napping toddler all over Europe or dealing with jet lagged kids just so I can say I took them to Paris, is not enjoyable to me. As our kids have dropped naps, increasingly been able to walk all day, do strenuous hikes, contribute to kayak rowing, carry their own luggage, and been more flexible with bedtimes and eating new foods, we have slowly added longer flights and more unfamiliar situations. My kids may not see every continent before they leave for college, but they will have an appreciation for the culture and geography of major regions of the US and will have some experiences navigating a city where they don’t speak the language. [/quote]

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