Wanderlust & Wonder: Why Traveling With Your Family Is Non-Negotiable

This isn't your average vacation chat. In part one of our travel series, we're diving deep into the transformative power of family trips. Beyond the photos and souvenirs, we'll explore why exposing our kids to new places, cultures, and experiences is one of the most important things we can do as parents. Get ready to rethink how you see family travel, because the benefits for your kids—and for you—last a lifetime.

FREE QFW Travel Quiz -> https://qfamilyway.com/travel-quiz/

Transcript

KeisaB 0:01

The heart of what we do as parents is wanting to keep our kids alive, absolutely. But also we want them to strive in a complex society, in a complex world. When it comes to travel. We can talk about safety aspects, especially for women. Us in the L-G-B-T-Q community, persons with disabilities and people with more melanin in their skin. We could talk about all the obstacles, such as the lack of freedom, be it time, money. I mean, we will. Chat about all those topics, but I think it would be remiss to not dive into those topics without discussing why. Why travel? Why is it so important for us to do as a family and for our kids' development? Hi, I am KeisaB your host, and today's topic is about why it is so important for us to travel, especially abroad to different countries and explore different cultures.

KeisaB 1:31

I mean. Increased exposure to different cultures, social norms, arts ideals, language has a direct correlation to empathy, adaptability, confidence, respect for diversity, and it really helps to prepare our kids for living in a multifaceted world. Living in a bubble. Especially in this day and age, was never beneficial to an individual or to an advanced society. And what we want is, of course, our children to be in that advanced society. I think of how many youth, perhaps this is you're close to or even yourself. it was for me, did all they could to go. To a different experience, usually a location in another state or close country, right after high school. I wanted to get out. I went to University of Miami as fast as I possibly could. It could be university to get away or just working in a trade. Like you go down to the south of the United States to having spent your whole lives in the north or vice versa. I know lots of people who have had that and have found their dream life in a different place. Of course, you know, you might rely on a cousin and aunt, a family friend, you know, that lives in that area to have some footing. The migration of opportunity. Has been happening for as long as people have been around. One big discussion we have a lot is as parents is about schools. And what is gonna be the best environment for our kid. And there's a reason why schools that focus on wide range of experiential learning have much higher outcomes of change makers, those young people who exercise an interest and confidence in pursuing a discipline that moves the needle I've heard from Harvard and NYU professors that the current conundrum they are experiencing in higher education are students lacking the cognitive ability to work with peers, critical thinking and adaptability, all of which can and should be taught in primary school but also reinforced with experiences with family and those opportunities. For a traditional school environment to provide said experiences, it's become fewer and fewer, there's less people studying abroad at a younger age, less people being able to volunteer and do things outside of the classroom. And so as parents, we really are going to have to step up no matter our situation. This is not To point blame or anything like that by any means, just knowing that our, educational institutional goals and resources are leaving the masses to fend for themselves. And we know that populations that are usually the hardest hit are ones that are ours. Ones where our non-traditional families like to be in, 'cause we feel more comfortable, we feel more safe. But still sometimes we're in the margins because we might not have the same. Support system that we grew up with. We might not have the same systems of wealth. We might not have the same, support from our family, as some other families so as we continue to be our own chosen family, find those people and those resources, we have to think differently about how we are raising our children. And giving them those same viewpoints and opportunities. There are a multitude of reasons why you would want to travel maybe it's vacation, you wanna relax. But I'm challenging more parents to think differently about what they get from their vacations and travel. Thinking more about the experiences and learning something together as a family, but especially giving your children an opportunity. Anyone who's a youth that you're rolling with on these vacations experiencing new things, like literally giving them that opportunity to do more than go from maybe this museum or that, or just sit on a beach and do a sand castle. All those are wonderful and they're always needed, but how can we continue to give them the time and space just to be in a place to listen, to observe? That's the times that I found most enriching when I was a child, and I continue as I grow, and then I see that with every kiddo that I've been around and a lot of families that I've spoken with, that it is that that makes the huge difference. It's the enrichment of a community and a culture that is so foreign from your own or maybe has some similarities. 'cause again, we usually in the Western cultures, we go and visit other western cultures. Things where maybe we have ancestry or familiarity or we're trying to find that kinship. One thing that is extremely beneficial when it comes to. Experiencing travel in these new places is how can it be that we are so similar, but be thousands of miles away in a completely different language and culture Of course, there's a lot of American and English influence around the world but when you get into the nitty gritty, when you really slow down and have more of an authentic experience, I think that's where we see things click and the brain switches. there is a change within us. Getting out of our comfort zones a little bit, and it sometimes is very difficult for some people to do that. You know, they're like, oh, I would love to have that, but I just don't feel as comfortable going to this place, especially not with my kid. For things we've talked about before, safety, possibly, finances. So I have to have a certain amount of money to, do this thing. I'm here to tell you that there's many ways to do it differently for as long as you prioritize and understand the importance of why. another sometimes miss is how influential. It will be for our kids, for their career and their life advancement. Because we talk a lot about the affect and use of LLMs. We have become so much more like an LLM when we engage and talk to other people. It's very surface. Oh, hey, how's it going? Here comes the man of the hour. Hey, how are you doing? Oh, I'm good. You know, work is going on this weekend was taken over by this meet or that obligation. And again, it's very surface and that's how we greet each other And I think, travel can really give us more depth. It can. Give us more perspective and can talk about our experiences in life because we are having more of them, As our children are now growing and in an era of uncertainty of what the future could really hold when it comes to LLMs and other, you know, and artificial intelligence or alien intelligence, having the adaptability, the resilience, the empathy and emotional intelligence that comes with learning different cultures. And having experiences that others might have had as they work with peers and teams. You know, I think it's, of course it's going to be something that will really be to their benefit for the rest of their lives, and we can do that no matter what the school system might look like. Or not look like, and it won't cost an arm and leg. You don't have to pay 25,000 plus a year to send them to a private or independent or small secular, non-secular institution for them to get this type of experience to appreciate the world for what it is versus what we keep being told And that's part of the critical thinking aspect. Oh, well you told me this thing, but I've actually known it to be this. How can it be both at the same time? And being able to then discuss those things. I think there's beauty in that and a lot that we as parents have to think about as we curate these journeys with our families. Last time we were in Europe and one thing I really appreciated was how so many people loved to engage with our kiddos. People like to see kiddos smile and be happy just being themselves, of course, being respectful. we were teaching them those things, but being kids. I really learned as a parent was. The language of play and how strong that is. It can combat all types of other obstacles. Biggest one being the language barrier. but think of it not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity, as I said with the language immersion aspect. With language immersion, it also comes with cultural norms, maybe slang, things that you just don't learn in school, and that can be quite invaluable. Yeah, I think what really struck me the most, listening to a lot of the dialogue right now around what they're calling the Anxious Generation Nation, it's a horrible name for a generation, and I really hope it changes for the Gen Zers. And doesn't move into the Gen A's because we as parents can help that we can help ourselves to then help our kids at least put that information in front of them and give them those abilities and experiences. To better understand how valuable it's going to be and continue to be, to have that emotional intelligence to be able to work with all types of different people from different walks of life and different cultures and different societies with different perspectives and different ways of being. But we're all still humans. And we all just want the same thing. We want to thrive and we want to live and be happy and have fun. I've really learned, which I'm starting to lose a bit of a grasp in Western society, is how much fun some other cultures have, just a little bit more of a laid back attitude about life and I think it's refreshing to hear that every day, to not have the stress of thinking you have to do X, Y, and Z with your children just because everyone else is, and see how much time it actually can help us with moving forward with what a priority could be and should be which I think is travel. think about it. The definition of overall success rarely changes. We rarely change what that definition is because success being a human ultimately when it comes to biology is community, and living so you can continue on with the species, through community. That could be, what we define it to be now, versus always having to be in those traditional norms. And that's a great place to be and it's only getting better around the world. We keep getting a lot of negative information thrown at us day by day. if you look at some great indexes like the Equaldex, which I love, as well as data sources like, open data in the world or even the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association all have wonderful information about how this world in the past 20 years has made leaps and bounds strides of inclusivity and safety for women, for the LGBTQ plus community, and for families as a whole. You can feel that as travel to different spaces. I can. Understand that there is a different way of being, So there are direct correlations with travel and particularly extended period of time in a foreign country. we've talked about, the language immersion separating ourselves from the LLMs so that we aren't stuck or feel stuck in a place where things are happening so quickly around us when it comes to artificial intelligence and where our children are gonna be. We can help that even on a micro level when it comes to our family, our people, our community, we can think differently. We can make that change. So I challenge all of you in our community to think differently Creating journeys with intentionality around experiences built on growth will benefit the whole family. Many families have said their bonds are stronger when when they learned something together in the real world. That's, gosh, it could be anything. From snorkeling to surfing to basket weaving to an art class in another country, how to speak another language, the music of another language. Just sitting on a playground and listening to how other people engage with each other. Having your kids engage with their kids. That is building a beautiful thing and our sphere of influence. Changing perspectives of others. We visit families that aren't fitting the prescribed mold. As we move through different cultures and spaces, it's just as important. We are showing those people, and you never know who that person could be. They could be closeted. They could look like your family you will not even know. 'cause maybe just sees one person from that, that unit or entity think how you all traveling and being happy and smiling together and having this wonderful experience. Or maybe they'll see your kid having a tantrum and how you work with them and how you're patient with them. And maybe they'll help you open a door or take your luggage down the stairs of a train station or give up their seat so that you can sit together. You not even knowing possibly could be changing those perspectives of others on our community and how our families are the future. And not something that is so foreign because it is love and everything that's built out of love will always continue to move the needle. So hopefully you'll continue to listen and subscribe... follow QFW as we move to our next episodes, the first being about how to combat obstacles. Everything from, travel hacks rewards and how to use credit cards so we aren't getting more debt. But at the same time, have these really wonderful experiences that we all can have. Also time and how we continue to think about what truly is a priority. And you might actually find some nuggets of real truth and inspiration the last section will be about how you can do it with these kiddos. How can you go, especially longer term. traveling abroad trips with kids, how does that planning start? Where possibly should you go to find other families? that is not only benefit you, also for your kids, not only a benefit for society and different cultures seeing us, people who are there, understanding that we're all out there and we're together. It gives 'em some hope to be their authentic selves and for your kids' future, giving them some experience that they might not even be able to get inside school. But last but not least is building even more bonds and a stress-free life for yourself, knowing that you're never alone. Well, this is another episode of QFW Parenting. I am your host, Keisa B. I'm always so appreciative for you all being here. Thank you. Thank you. I can't do this without you. I do this for you, so definitely add questions, comments. Add notes. Um, we'll have a lot of great information in the show notes after this, as well as on our blog@qfamilyway.com. Thank you and be