Parent-Child Parenting】 Parent-Child Traveling has many benefits.

The first time we went abroad together, Big Ding had just turned 2 years old and was at his most mischievous, while Little Ding was under 1 year old and had just learned how to walk. Originally, I was worried that it would be very troublesome to take the kids abroad, but after I started planning, I realized that it was actually not difficult at all!

1. First of all, I set my preschooler's overseas trips in Asia because, on the one hand, the flights are shorter and the number of days is less, so the expenses for a family of four can be kept within the budget.
2. We made up our minds right from the start not to go with a tour, so we didn't have to follow the group, go out early and come back late, or drive to attractions we didn't want to go to, so we could arrange the itinerary to suit our own preferences.
3. The flight time is less than 2 hours. In order to avoid children crying on the plane, I will prepare new toys or delicious snacks in advance, so that children can have something new to do on the plane to distract their attention, and children will be able to play and sleep on the plane, and then arrive at the destination in a flash.
4. It is necessary to plan in advance the means of transportation in the place. In Okinawa, Japan, for example, it is very convenient to drive there. I rented a car in Taiwan beforehand, and as long as you enter the phone number of your destination, even if you don't know Japanese, you can use the car's satellite navigation to take you to the place you want to go. You don't have to carry a big bag all the time when you buy things. If you are in a city where you can't drive, you can take a bus or a tram that will take you directly to your destination, so you don't have to carry your children and luggage up and down the stairs when you move from place to place. This may cost a bit more, but it's a much easier and more convenient way to get around than having a child who can't move and cries all the time.
5. The planning of sightseeing spots is based on the principle of "light and short". From the first three days and two nights, to the five days and four nights we tried, we always had one principle in mind - we got up late and came back early every day, and had breakfast at the hotel to fill up our energy before we left the house. We arranged one sightseeing spot in the morning and one in the afternoon to avoid the heavyweight walks that would drain our energy, and we tried to stay in the same hotel as much as possible so that we didn't have to pack and carry our bags all the time.

Creating memories and developing your child's worldview

Some people may think that it is a waste of money to go abroad because the children are so young and have no memory! However, in our family, we always travel abroad with four of us at the same time. Although the memories left in the children's minds are only fragments, they will have different horizons when they go to different countries, which will slowly cultivate their international outlook.

When I take out the old photos and look back, when the whole family sees the photos of the trip, it immediately reminds them of the good times we had together, and the whole family can't close their mouths without a smile. As children grow up, the memories of spending time with them are invaluable to parents; and as we continue to accumulate travel experiences, we are sure that our next trip will be even better.

Parent-child travel together is a life experience of "reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles"! Parent-child travel provides children with the opportunity to explore new and unknown things. In addition to creating wonderful memories for the family, you can also give your child different sensory stimuli during the trip, such as touching leaves and playing with mud in the natural environment to increase the tactile input and enhance the child's ability of sensory integration.

Children's growth is not just about absorbing knowledge from the classroom. Traveling abroad allows children to experience different cultures and enhance their humanistic qualities. When choosing a place to take your child abroad, you should consider "relaxation" as Mandarin's primary consideration. If you choose a place or itinerary that requires too much physical effort, not only will your child not be able to cope with it, but your parents will also have a heavier burden, making it difficult for them to relax. If something unexpected happens during the trip, such as a child being noisy or uncooperative, it is recommended to bring along your child's favorite toys or prepare some small games that can be played at any time to divert their attention.