My 12-year-old son recently taught me a lesson about fear. “Fear is not the same thing as danger. When we choose to be afraid, it is usually because our rational mind has turned off. So, I don’t listen to the voice of fear. Thats how I was able to do the bungee jump in Ecuador”, he said.
You see, my son and I had lately returned from a mother son trip in Ecuador full of adventures and new experiences. It was a focused and powerful time for us to bond without the distractions of other family members. It was a time where we both could learn lessons from each other about facing our fears, not shying away from new experiences and finding joy in the world around us. Keep reading to hear 5 reasons to take a one-on-one trip with your child.
Quality Time
As a mother to 5 children, it can be difficult to prioritize one-on-one time with each child. Taking periodic trips with each child, is an incredible way to get bonding time and growth experiences together. You see, travel breaks us out of the routines and tightly packed schedules that typically define our modern lives. When we are at home, we have a list of activities to attend and endless things on our to do list. Travel takes us away from all of that and allows us total control over our schedule for a short period of time.
Relationship and roles
On a recent trip to Florida with my middle child, he enjoyed experiencing life like an only child. He got to choose what kind of food we would eat and what fun places we could go. He was no longer stuck in his role as middle child vying for attention. I got to see him as the individual that he is, and not who he is compared to and in relation to other children. There is incredible bonding that can occur when you and your child do something difficult or scary together.
Choose your perfect destination
With a large family, we are somewhat limited in the types of trips we choose to take due to the ages of our children. With a one-on-one trip, I can choose a destination (or let my child choose a destination) that is uniquely suited to their interests and ability/adventure level. My recent trek around Ecuador was ideal for a teen or tween but would have been a nightmare with a young child.
Save on your travel budget
Traveling with one child allows you to save money on your travel budget. Traveling with 2 people instead of 7 is a lot cheaper when you factor in rental cars, plane tickets, hotel rooms and food. Also, these trips are an incredible investment into your relationship with your child. I promise, it is worth every penny!
Take more trips
Many people worry that once they start having children, they will no longer be able to travel. That is false! It does get harder as you add more members to your family, but it is still possible, especially if you are open to these one on one trips. My husband and I both take multiple trips per year either on solo trips or one on one parent child trips. If you have some serious wanderlust, this is a fantastic way to still see the world while also sharing these incredible experiences with your posterity.
So, make a plan and get out there traveling with your kids! This is a great place to get some inspiration for adventures near you: recreation.gov
