Opinions on travel with children . . .
May 24th, 2006, 01:35 AM
#21
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My husband was in the Navy for 24 years. We spent 3 years in Japan, near Hiroshima. Our son attened a Bhuddist nursery school - he was one of a very few American children there. He learned to speak Japanese, though once we moved back to the US, he forgot most of it.
We lived in Dunoon, Scotland when our son was in 6th through ninth grade. The children of Americans stationed there attended local schools. He had an excellent education there. It was interesting to learn some historical things from the Scottish perspective.
When we returned to the US, he enrolled in an IB program in high school. That was a great way to learn about other cultures. It also required that he take 2 foreign languages - one for 4 years and the other for two. He chose French and German. The "grand tour" of Europe was also a benefit.
In college he ontinued his interest in travel. And he still takes at least one trip to an international destination everyy year. This year's unexpected residence (6 months) in Kabul is difficult, but his adventurous spirit is serving him well.
My husband nd I travel as much as we can. We often end up in Paris because I have a weaknes and cannot be trusted to buy tickets to other destinations.
We lived in Dunoon, Scotland when our son was in 6th through ninth grade. The children of Americans stationed there attended local schools. He had an excellent education there. It was interesting to learn some historical things from the Scottish perspective.
When we returned to the US, he enrolled in an IB program in high school. That was a great way to learn about other cultures. It also required that he take 2 foreign languages - one for 4 years and the other for two. He chose French and German. The "grand tour" of Europe was also a benefit.
In college he ontinued his interest in travel. And he still takes at least one trip to an international destination everyy year. This year's unexpected residence (6 months) in Kabul is difficult, but his adventurous spirit is serving him well.
My husband nd I travel as much as we can. We often end up in Paris because I have a weaknes and cannot be trusted to buy tickets to other destinations.
May 30th, 2006, 07:29 PM
#22
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My son was three weeks old in his first passport photo, you can see my finger tips holding his head up! We traveled to Europe, the Middle East and Asia during his first ten years and I wouldn't have missed a moment! Sure, I missed out on "adult" entertainment, but gained so may other experiences! Watching the fuss made over him by Chinese moms on the Star Ferry in Hong Kong, being offered "gold and camels, lots of camels" for him in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul (I'm not sure how serious the offer was?), watching him guide the horse drawn sleigh through the snowy Austrian countryside on his fifth birthday, these moments and so many others wouldn't have happened with adults only travel.
Sure, bedtime came earlier than usual, but early morning on the Piazza in Florence was as magnificent as the nightlife! Naptime was on an impromptu matress on a mountaintop in the Swiss Alps, while I enjoyed a lunch of rosti and listened to the sweet sound of cowbells in the fields!
Do it, girlfriend! I promise you that of all of the frustations you may have with your future darlings, you'll never regret the journeys they take you on!
Sure, bedtime came earlier than usual, but early morning on the Piazza in Florence was as magnificent as the nightlife! Naptime was on an impromptu matress on a mountaintop in the Swiss Alps, while I enjoyed a lunch of rosti and listened to the sweet sound of cowbells in the fields!
Do it, girlfriend! I promise you that of all of the frustations you may have with your future darlings, you'll never regret the journeys they take you on!
May 30th, 2006, 10:23 PM
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I have always travelled a lot with my children since they were very small (they are now 16 and 14). On several long summer trips we actually took a baby sitter along with us! This meant paying for 5 airfares instead of 4 but was fantastic. We paid for all the meals, drinks, general expenses and gave the baby sitter lots of free time. My husband and I went sight seeing one day and paid for a trip for our sitter to go the next. We tended to eat together most evenings and then my husband and I went for a walk and a few drinks afterwards. The sitter was wonderful and really enjoyed herself. We took her to England and Rhodes one year and England, Kefalonia, Athens and Corfu the year after.
On the years when we didn't travel with a sitter, I chose hotels that would suit the children as well as us: a swimming pool, playground etc. where possible. We didn't always spend quite as long as we would have liked sight seeing, or we took it in turns to do something alone. My children have enjoyed travelling to a variety of places and continue to do so.
Good luck,
Carolena
On the years when we didn't travel with a sitter, I chose hotels that would suit the children as well as us: a swimming pool, playground etc. where possible. We didn't always spend quite as long as we would have liked sight seeing, or we took it in turns to do something alone. My children have enjoyed travelling to a variety of places and continue to do so.
Good luck,
Carolena
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