Traveling with children can be the most exciting way to travel when done right, because sometimes it takes seeing new places through the eyes of a child to really see and experience it for yourself. Children are constantly discovering the world around them, and when you travel, this is exactly the attitude you want to have.
Even if you think your children will not be able to handle the rigors and change that come with traveling, there are things you can do to make the trip more comfortable and manageable.
Children learn by seeing and doing, and travel is a great way for them to see the world through more than a computer or television screen, hear languages and new music first hand, and try exotic foods for themselves.
For young ones, being able to travel is a learning experience and it is always an advantage to be able to learn about people and places for themselves in order to form their own opinions when they are older.
The best part is, the travel does not have to be a huge whirlwind trip, it can be a road trip, a trip to the big city and yes, a trip across the globe.
No matter the length or distance of the trip you are taking with children, it can be very manageable when you plan things right and keep things as normal for your children as possible. Keep the normal schedule that your children have, so that they are better able to deal with the active changes that are taking place. Stop and take meals several times a day, when they are used to eating, get them to bed when they are used to it and if they are used to relaxing or playing during different times of the day, allow them that time to do so.
With all the changes and new things your child will be seeing and doing, help them express and explore what they learn. Provide them with everything that they need to record what they see and do in their own way, be it a journal, sketchbook, camera or tape recorder. Kids are going to look back on what they have saved and journaled for the rest of their lives, so make sure they can do so to the best of their ability. In the end you will see how incredible an experience this can be for your children and how much you will benefit from the experience yourself.