Typical family travel includes taking trips to the beach, finding a cabin on a lake or in the mountains, visiting a national park, or taking a road trip across the state. All of these possibilities create images of rest and recreation-hiking, swimming, skiing, and relaxing in the sun. In general, travel broadens our understanding of the world. It helps to develop a child’s background knowledge and an interest in new experiences. Resources can vary from family to family and even from year to year, but the benefits to family travel are not relative to the budget. Fun does not have to be expensive. The benefits of family travel include a reboot and change from the routine and familiarity of home, extended time as a family to strengthen relationships, and the opportunity to learn and experience new things together while making lifetime memories.
Reboot and Change the Routine
One benefit of summer travel is the opportunity to reboot- to renew our mind and spirit. Our lives function on routine and we often find ourselves in a rut, running on autopilot. Vacation gives us a chance to reflect on our current course, evaluate the direction of our lives, and make changes. We all need to recharge every now and then, including our children after a long school year. A change of scenery and routine for a week or two, allows the family to reassess priorities and reflect on what is important.
It is difficult to reboot when technology consumes our day. The addiction to devices is a challenge faced by both parents and children. Wherever you go, I encourage you to unplug-no television or computers, no Facebook or smart phones. If this seems like an impossible task, try unplugging during the day and only using devices in the evening, or unplug every other day if you are gone for more than a week. Family interaction is significantly more valuable, but unplugging some is better than not unplugging at all. Do it together so everyone is unplugged at the same time. In doing so you communicate the importance of spending time together and are able to fully enjoy the company of one another.
Take along a great book to read as a family - either in the car or in the evening. Reflect on the virtues displayed in the characters and discuss how those virtues bless others. This is a sure way to reboot!
Strengthen Family Relationships
Another benefit of summer travel is the opportunity to strengthen family relationships. Siblings, who may not “play” together during the school year, learn to enjoy each other’s company when other distractions are eliminated. Something as simple as a nature walk or a day at the beach (no cost) can be fun on an extended trip. Playing games as a family and having conversation in the evening without interruptions can also help to strengthen the family bond.
Simple games can be packed for the trip to foster interaction. Cards, books on CD’s for the car, word games and thinking games are all ideas for family activities. Many games are guessing games with lots of questions. Guessing the type of fruit or vegetable or animal one team has chosen gets everyone thinking and builds team work.
Learn and Experience New Things
Lastly, plan an activity that is a new learning experience for everyone. Maybe it’s whitewater rafting, or jet skiing, or hiking in the mountains, or spending a week on a ranch. This experience will help to build lifetime memories that will be shared again and again. On a trip to Oregon a few years back, my family went whitewater rafting and with the prompting of the guide, we jumped off a bridge together into freezing water! I assure you this is not something I would have done alone, but it was a family activity and I was not going to be left behind! It is a lifetime memory that we often recount.
Summer is here. Start planning that family vacation. Be safe and have fun!
Do you have a favorite way of spending your summer vacation, or some advice for unplugging? Please share it with me.