Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes! We do massive National Park trips in middle school, then European trips in high school.

We went to South America every year in when we had toddlers and small kids because we couldn't get over how kind and friendly they were. Europeans and Americans really hate children, even well behaved children.

Maybe the problem was your parenting. Traveled all over the U.S. and parts of Europe during the toddler stage. Not everyone went out of their way to joyfully welcome us, but we weren’t surrounded by haters either.

We also found Europe surprisingly kid friendly.

No

Anonymous wrote:Yes! We do massive National Park trips in middle school, then European trips in high school.

We went to South America every year in when we had toddlers and small kids because we couldn't get over how kind and friendly they were. Europeans and Americans really hate children, even well behaved children.

Maybe the problem was your parenting. Traveled all over the U.S. and parts of Europe during the toddler stage. Not everyone went out of their way to joyfully welcome us, but we weren’t surrounded by haters either.

Anonymous wrote:Yes! We do massive National Park trips in middle school, then European trips in high school.

We went to South America every year in when we had toddlers and small kids because we couldn't get over how kind and friendly they were. Europeans and Americans really hate children, even well behaved children.

What?

Talk about gross generalizations.

You are overthinking this.

America is neither better or worse than other countries. It is not a contest.

Your kids cannot learn about other cultures by only visiting the country of their birth.

It is a gift to introduce them to international travel as children. It will change their perspectives (for the better), and give them more confidence/desire to travel as adults.

Not to mention, parents deserve vacations too. If this appeals to you more, by all means go for it. You deserve a break you are excited about.

You’re overthinking it. The purpose of family holidays is to strengthen bonds between family members and share experiences. Sure that can include an overseas trip and that is a wonderful thing to share, but you needn’t feel responsible for showing your kids the world.

I am a foreigner who has lived in 5 countries. Never left my home state in my little corner of the world growing up except one visit to my father’s home country when I was 9. Almost all other holidays involved driving to visit relatives. Never hiked or camped. I read books, watched movies and fantasised about the adventures I would have when I grew up.

As a young adult, travel was a wonderful thing to discover. I’m now an avid hiker and camper. Create lovely memories with your kids and go overseas if you want to, but don’t feel your kids will miss out if you don’t show them everything.

Yes! We do massive National Park trips in middle school, then European trips in high school.

We went to South America every year in when we had toddlers and small kids because we couldn't get over how kind and friendly they were. Europeans and Americans really hate children, even well behaved children.

I do not feel any need to prove that America is the "best" by visiting it first. Heck, even if I wanted to prove that America is the best (I don't) haven't you heard the expression "save the best for last"?

But, I would not want to take a long trip with an infant or toddler without testing things out on a shorter trip. Unless I had a very good reason, I'd take a couple trips with shorter distances before I braved a long distance flight. Your first night in Tokyo after a 14 hour flight is not the time to figure out your little one doesn't sleep well in strange places.

What a bizarre question. The "world" is a big place. So is the United States. Good luck seeing "all" of the United States before seeing "the world."

My dad definitely had that philosophy. We grew up in a privileged bubble in the NYC burbs. It was great to see and appreciate our country. We did the most epic trips every summer. By the time we were in HS we started having opportunities to travel abroad. At the point, I could really appreciate (and be awed by) the cultural offerings, museums, churches, etc.

That said - I am also itching to take my kids to Europe because I want to go there myself. I certainly don't think it would be bad to do.

The USA is pretty boring and lacks history. Other places ARE more interesting. And better places to visit and live, in current climate.

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Africa and move here 20 years ago. I have visited every single state and national Park.

The US is an incredibly beautiful country. I don't think Americans realize how big and diverse their country is.

That is true. But personally I would love to travel in Africa. What places can you recommend? I think it’s a shame that people typically only visit the continent for safaris.

We mix it up, but also think it's more important to show kids different ways of living before they become teenagers and get to that smug know it all stage. So we are leaning the world and it's also cheaper than USA. However we did do an epic natural parks trip in 2nd grade out West, which is a prime age for Junior Ranger pins.

I'd go where you want to go instead of worrying about what you should show the kids. They will be adults with their own budgets soon enough.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Impossible to see all of the US or all of the world. Mix it up.

+1. We’ve had an amazing experiences in the U.S and in other parts of the world. I’m a fan of mixing it up.

+2