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Despite the chilly weather, spring travel has kicked into high gear, and parents are already starting to plan summer vacations with their kids. Are you thinking about a family trip outside the US? We decided to talk to Heather Greenwood Davis — travel journalist, advisor for Travel’s Best Family Adventures 2015 and blogger for GlobetrottingMama.com — and ask her to give parents tips on how to provide their kids a global perspective in preparation for traveling abroad.
1. Start Travel EarlySome people will tell you that you should wait to travel with kids until they’re old enough to remember. I disagree. I think there’s value to your ability to parent that comes from exposing them at a young age. You’re affected, and they’re affected. Go.
1. Start Travel EarlySome people will tell you that you should wait to travel with kids until they’re old enough to remember. I disagree. I think there’s value to your ability to parent that comes from exposing them at a young age. You’re affected, and they’re affected. Go.
2. Encourage Teachable Moments
Talk to your kids about places when you’re at home. Is Africa in the news? Is their class talking about Australian animals? That’s a great opportunity to get on Google or hit the library and expose them to the possibility of seeing these places in real life.
Talk to your kids about places when you’re at home. Is Africa in the news? Is their class talking about Australian animals? That’s a great opportunity to get on Google or hit the library and expose them to the possibility of seeing these places in real life.
3.Expose Kids to Similar Cultures but Different Places
My husband and I made sure our first few trips with the kids were to places we felt comfortable. The Caribbean and North America are easy stops where you’ll find many of the things you’re used to at home. Those early trips helped us understand what their fears and curiosities were about travel, so that when we went farther, we were prepared.
4. Be Willing to Explore Beyond Your Comfort LevelRemember that the things that you may have heard about how dangerous a place is may completely disappear the closer you get to that destination. Don’t let the news scare you away from somewhere before you’ve had a chance to do your own research.
5. Search for Family-Friendly Experiences
Not everyone will love your kids like you do. You will more than likely run into situations where you feel as though your family is less than welcome. Roll with it. Seek out the people and places who feel differently and chalk it up to experience. There are plenty of places on the planet that will be more than welcoming.
Not everyone will love your kids like you do. You will more than likely run into situations where you feel as though your family is less than welcome. Roll with it. Seek out the people and places who feel differently and chalk it up to experience. There are plenty of places on the planet that will be more than welcoming.
Source: travelchannel.com