traveling the world with kids | Trent and Allie
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- In this Vlog we visit Niagra Falls, Ontario which was quite the sight to see! But it brought up some old memories of traveling as a kid and we discuss the good and the bad things that arise for taking your kids on vacation. ~~~CLICK SHOW MORE~~~
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#vanlife #Canada #NiagraFalls
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Guys, it's not about what they will remember as adults. Kids are people now and every experience, remembered consciously or forgotten makes us who we are. Also, since you don't have kids, it may be hard for you to understand the ups and downs of a kid's day. When you see a kid crying, that's only a small part of their day. What you don't see is their exhausted, fulfilled, happy faces at the end of the day. You don't hear the stories they tell weeks later about their experiences from a trip or big day out. Children deserve to experience LIFE and not just sit in front of a television or iPad so the parents can have "alone" time. My parents took me everywhere. I stayed up late for celebrations, weddings, BBQs, vacations, rock concerts, theme parks. Children learn how to be a part of society by...being a part of society, experiencing culture and traditions. Obviously there is benefit for parents/ adults to have "alone" time or "me" time, but for our family at least, we want our children to feel included and welcome, and like they are an important part of our lives, that we enjoy hanging out with them.
Well said😉
Great points, Marie.
Loved your comment .. so true .. how to navigate the world
i don't think you two know what you're talking about! my partner and I traveled back and forth across Canada, up and down the states with three in boot. then sold the van - and took travels to scotland. We probably inspired alot of you newbies to get out there and live van life! stopped in museums, visited first nations, and had a fuck load of bbqs!
my daughter - who was 6wks old at the time - still wishes she could live in the van. it is too bad you guys had such poor experiences growing up - it'll be interesting to hear your opinion after parenthood.
i should add - kids add alot of life. you don't have to do so much to make life fulfilling - a good way to reduce your carbon foot print as an individual ;)
And now you two are expecting your first child. I will enjoy watching your trAvels with a little one in tow. As a child of five siblings our parents took us in vacations across the United states. I may not have "appreciated" some of the places and things I saw but...I appreciated and loved and had great security in just being with them and my four subs away from school and chores etc. I loved it.
I think it’s important to take your children to these places ... it builds experiences that last.
I agree with you but I hear Trent as well. I still remember the road trips I had as a kid and as much as I might not have loved it the memories are ones that I will never lose. I am about to build out a van specifically so I can take my 5 year old all over North America. This will be the evolution of travel from the age of 5 until... I appreciate all of the videos that you have put out, please keep them coming!
I agree, Rick. Allie kinda nailed it too. Kids won’t appreciate it in the moment, but time and again later on they’ll talk about these memories and their experiences. When you strip it all back, life is but a collection of memories. Make as many good ones as you can. You never know what’s around the corner. Good movie. Love seeing your adventures and living a great life. What an archive of the young you your grandchildren will have!
My children are my favourite adventure buddies! It isn’t always laughter, lollipops and sunshine, seeing the world through their eyes is really cool. My kids notice things I don’t even notice anymore. They are also adventurous, don’t fear change, new people and willing to try new things. Do they really appreciate everything? Probably not, but they are 8 & 11 and can navigate themselves through an airport like travelling pros, and they can amuse themselves without screens on a long road trip.
I think this really comes down to the prep of the trip for your kids. Getting them involved with the trip plans and explaining the importance of places ahead of time really helps. As an only child who grew up in a very small house, anything different was fun for me. Even things I didn't totally appreciate later on I did and it renewed my desire to go back to that place.
I begged for vacations. We were poor and I remember when I got my first job I took my family first to Niagara Falls where my parents went on their honeymoon and the next year I took them to Disney World in Florida. They took us on summer excursion to historical places nearby and also to museums and I LOVED those trips. I was a well read kid and maybe my love for books caused my love and want to see those places at a young age. Thanks for the topic to dialog about. ~Smile!
Your story sounds similar to mine except that I can't afford to spring for a family vacation yet. I don't have kids, but my sister has two. Whenever we travel or attend events together, I offer to cover the costs for one of the kids to make it more affordable for her and more enjoyable for all of us. I definitely believe that my love of books inspired me to want to see more of the world. Even more so in the age of Google, as now I can stop and look up unfamiliar places, ideas, even flowers! 😀
@@RealChunka Thank you for sharing. 😁
My parents took my brother and me everywhere and the memories are extremely rich. Kathy, my wife, and I have revisited some of these places throughout or life together and have some steps yet to trace. The base for our family in the 1950's was Madison, Wisconsin. In 1957 we drove from Madison, through the upper peninsula of Michigan, into Ontario and all around Lake superior, coming back through Minnesota and once again into Wisconsin. and that was before all of the roads on that trek were paved. The trip took a couple of leisurely weeks. It was wonderful and I did appreciate it for what it was at the time. Wow, what beautiful country! On any trip, if there was a hand painted sign that read, "See the world's largest ball of string" or the biggest or the longest or the whatever, we went to see it. The ball of string was as advertised, a really huge ball of string sheltered in and old barn. I am laughing now just thinking about it! Be a family and take the kids. Why else would you become parents if you did not take your children everywhere you went? Our oldest daughter was made in Germany and our youngest in Canada. We really do like following your adventures! Keep traveling.
I think it is important! My parents took us on plenty of trips, but they made sure to integrate historical and factorial portions with fun energy portions like zip lines. They also did quite a bit of traveling in their life "BC" (before children), and that really encouraged myself and my siblings to find our own paths and travel in the best way that we see fit.
Kristen, love this! We take our four boys everywhere! We traveled a ton before kids so it's an important part of who we are. We've done van life twice with kids and lived abroad when our first was a babe
It’s so important to share these experiences with your kids; watch them experience and explore the world and build memories. They may not know they appreciate it in the moment but these times build who they are and lay the ground world of how they see and appreciate the world as they grow.
I spent my summers travelling with my family and while I may not remember the details of the early trips, I soon grew to know the importance of family time and my love for travel has developed and shaped my adult life.
I have loved travelling with our kids for the whole of their lives - they are now 20 and 30. They added a dimension to our travels that we never experienced before they arrived.
Great video! I say take the kids! You can’t truly know what your kid will take away from an experience until after they’ve actually had the experience. The take-away may not be what you’d hoped, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable and who knows, it could be the spark that ignites a life-long passion.
Another thing to remember is that all kids are different. My mom was a single parent with three kids on a sales clerk salary, so we never went anywhere. I was blessed to be able to visit museums, plays, state parks, amusement parks, out-of-state relatives etc…through either school sponsored trips or as a guest of friends and relatives. I loved these outings and definitely did appreciate them at the time. I may not have fully grasped or remembered the significance of everything, but I understood that it was special and that my being there was a treat. What I remember of these experiences, I remember fondly and wish that my family had been there to enjoy them with me.
If nothing else, your kids will get to see through your eyes the things that are important to you. Through shared experiences they gain insight into who you are as people rather than just as parents. If you are passionate about something, whether it be history, sports, nature, democracy, whatever - and want to convey that passion to your children, don’t tell them about it show them! They may never appreciate it as much as you, but they will appreciate (eventually) the time you shared. You don’t have to take them everywhere every time; it is good to do small trips as a couple when you can, but, yes, take them to Niagara Falls and also take them with you to the polls when you (hopefully) vote this November! 😉😀
I think the two of you were right on the money: While kids may not remember all of the details of sight-seeing, they are more likely to remember family times together. I've always had fond memories of my parents on vacation, but now that they're both gone, those memories are especially precious. Also, I think family trips set me up for the traveler I myself am--so much so I went to live in Scotland on my own after college. BTW, right after college my mom took us to Niagra Falls--both sides--and I remember it well. Thank you for such a lovely, thoughtful video.
I enjoyed traveling with parents as a child going to new places and learning about our beautiful country.
Take your kids, by the time is was 18 I had traveled to 40 states and 12 countries. I loved all of it and continue to travel as an adult.
We used to go to Niagara when we were kids every year as a family. Clifton hill was a big hit. Dinner at the Skylon Tower was a special treat. Nowadays I enjoy sharing memories like that with My Nieces and Nephews, going to musical theater, museums and so much more. I like to think even though they may not get it or appreciate the experience.. It's all about spending time with them. That much I hope they will always remember.
I didn’t appreciate all of those camping trips at the time but boy are they some of my favorite memories. As an adult I am so grateful they dragged me to those beautiful places.
My parents did camping as a means of vacationing when I was young. The skills I learned while watching my parents became valuable as an adult and myself a parent. I learned to make sure children were well rested, fed and anticipated the needs of my children. My kids became the best travelers and we made it fun for them by building our adventures up with knowledge before visiting sites so they became engaged while there. Most people drag their children around instead of making it a teaching moment. It's not hard but thoughtful to take into consideration how a child can handle things. We all have good and bad days but you have to include resting days if you have gone hard and fast touring different places. It's like riding a roller coaster... anticipating the climb, the thrill of going down and around, and catching your breath when it cruises.
Imho it is extremely important to share these things with your children whether or not they "get it." Our family did small weekend trips up north to NH, Vt, Etc growing up and it definitely had a positive impact. I lost my dad unfortunately due to a sudden tragedy when my brother and I were very young. So these memories definitely stick with you. I also agree it nurtures an adventurous nature or the want to go back as adults to get the whole picture. Money is just a tool. Memories last longer than the money lasts! People should value that much more. Thanks for sharing!😁
Our girls love living fulltime in our RV and adventuring all of these places. We did Niagara Falls a few weeks ago and they had such great day. We spend a lot of time in places like this so they can learn as much as they can. We did the Cave Of The Winds and the Maid Of The Mist. We all really enjoyed both. They are still telling everyone about that day. We homeschool and places like this inspire them to learn more for many weeks afterwards.
Lisa with UA-cam.com/LivingCoast2Coast sounds like your doing it right! Enjoy every moment! Devo does driving 💋
Phenomenal place, absolutely breathtaking! Kids, I think they are hyperstimulated these days with all the technological distractions and it takes a lot of work and focussed attention to find a way to match that with something more sedate, with today's pressures, parents are often too exhausted to find that energy. It's sad, creativity is a good way in, hunts for things/photos/facts help fix positive memories and top of the list has to be humour, I think there's a reason kid's giggles are so delightful, they're a reward in themselves. Really enjoyed this, thank you!
Since I've watched all of your current Mexico series I'm now watching older stuff! This is something I have strong feelings about, I work with new families all the time and one of the big things I've learned is you set the standards and the kids go from their. They read all their emotional ques from you so id you start them young they learn quick and know nothing else as perspective. They learn whats normal for your family and if traveling is part of that you'll have no trouble if you aclimate them and yourself early. My parents traveled A LOT with us as children and to this day it is a place of comfort for me, I am currently solo travelling the west coast after driving out of Alaska in Aug 18.
You're both in a van, exploring a vast country... THAT speaks volumes. You both arrived at the point of the topic, simultaneously. It's important for parents to keep experiencing adventures together, but the point of taking the children along is to create memories. Whether you fully appreciate them at the time, as a child, is irrelevant. It has created markers in your memory, to this day, that make you want to revisit those places when you are able to fully comprehend and appreciate the value of them.
Some of my best memories, as a child, were traveling the country with my family. My mom was a single parent and she managed to take us from California to the east coast twice and on many shorter trips up and down the west coast. A very memorable one was to the Seattle Worlds Fair in 1962. I’m 72 now and I still travel as much as I can. I wish I could talk my husband into van life!
I too feel the same as Trent. My parents took me to places that I didn't think were cool back then but now I'd love it! Children don't appreciate it but its definitely a good experience and they will look back and say I wish I had enjoyed it then. But memories keep the soul alive!
I think it is so wise you guys are processing these things!!! I think it depends on the kid. I love some of my travel memories and certainly appreciated the travel and I also remember being unhappy/underwhelmed at other times. However simply the fact your talking realistically about the pros and cons and being open about both is so awesome!! So many people don’t talk about how kids impact things in positive and negative ways.
My family travelled a lot with my sisters & me when we were growing up. Consequently, we travel with our kids every chance we get.
I have 2 boys that are now in their early 20's. It was much tougher when they were younger. This year we did a trip to Utah and saw Zion and Bryce and I think we all were amazed by the beauty and could really appreciate it.
My dad was in the AF and we traveled the world. In a VW Bus. I am so grateful every day to have actually experienced the places I read about in history books while I was growing up.
Our son is 5 and has been on over 50 flights and has been backpacking with us since he was 4 months old. Been to Europe backpacking with him on my own when he was 6 months and my husband then joined us - absolutely can be done and was worth it. Builds their personality in such great ways even if they don’t remember it. We hostel all the time with a few air bnb stays in between. Depending on the age travel has to be adapted a bit or to incorporate activities they enjoy....
As a child, my parents took us camping, hiking and off roading. These experiences led me to have an appreciation for the outdoors and an adventurous spirit. We have always travelled with our son beginning when he was an infant. We have always camped, gone off roading and spent time doing water sports as well as travelled by plane to many places a a few countries. A few years ago we let our son choose what we were going to do for vacation. He was 9 at the time. He chose to spend a week in Arizona exploring caves throughout the state and visiting several Indian ruins. I think traveling and exploring is so important for children to be exposed to different cultures so that they can grow up to be compassionate human beings who are not afraid to try new things.
I also know that it is important to travel alone with your spouse/significant other. I’ve been married 15 years and we have always made traveling a priority, both as a family and as a couple. It’s good for the child to also have time away from their parents to develop a sense of independence. It takes work to balance it all, but in the end I say give your kid whatever you can in terms of adventure and travel. Even if that means taking a walk 30 minutes from home. Just get out there!
My husband tells me he wants a divorce, I instantly go to Craigslist and start searching for a van... Maybe I'll be traveling with my son by next year. ... I'm actually smiling and happy .
Good for you!!
Sorry to read this as it's a memory that your son would remember.
I'm wanting to do the same with my daughter and it makes me feel the same way.
Life is short... You must take the bull by the horns and make the most out of what's left!
Divorce is horrible for both you and your son, as I well know ,but it can also be the best thing that ever happens to you, as I well know! Stay positive and you will do well! Happy trails!
I'm so sorry to hear about this. Of friend was helping me through my divorce, many years ago. She was so upset by the things my husband was doing to my daughter and I that she went home one day, after helping me. She said she stuck her index finger in her husband's face and said, "don't think you're ever going to divorce me and take off, because I will make you wish you'd never been born with a penis! ". After that he was terrified to divorce her. I guess you have to start early in the relationship with that. Don't give up girl
I may not specifically remember every place I went as a kid but I know that the experiences were valuable. If nothing else it helps teach kids to experience the world and understand that their are other people in the world and that the differences are what makes things awesome.
I was a teacher.... summertime....have minivan will travel....my kids saw this country from New Jersey to California.... Florida to Canada. They loved it. Whenever they went back to school and talked to their friends about what they did over the summer....they realized how fortunate they were to get to travel.
The Canadian side of Niagara has always been my favorite place. We took our 11 yr old grandson and he loved it and wants to go again. We have gone to places that he doesn't exactly enjoy but he never complains.
Beautiful! Well said and so very true and I so remember the unwelcome adventures my crazy single mother took me on and so very much appreciate them now! Your photography is getting better and better!
My entire family is from that area and it is as beautiful as you say! You didn't have a ton of footage, but even so, its nothing like when you are actually standing there. The power of the water is crazy! Love watching you guys and it feels like you are friends even when we don't know each other. Both of you are funny and produce great content!
The memories last a lifetime no matter what it seems like at the time. And they all eventually become great memories.
As a child, I had the opportunity to travel with my family...and always LOVED IT! LOOKED FORWARD TO IT!
I really liked this video. The falls looked awesome. Being a father of three grown kids and 5 time grand fathet. It is a must to take your kids to places like this. Expose them to all the things you love to do. It will help them build character. God Bless
My father used to worry out loud about us remembering what we saw camping and cross country motoring. So we would bring out a memory and make him smile. Many if us do remember and 50 plus years later I camp avidly and will embrace some level of van life as soon as Shelter in Place is lifted. Love your videos and especially love to Frank and the chicks. How about a goat?. Many advantages.
Memories are all you have at a certain point in life. Different lifestyles will be different for everyone. Travel is good for kids in the long run. Love you guys 👍🍀🎃
You make the sacrifices for your kids. The money, the attitude, the complaints because someday, like you two are doing now, they’ll look back & be thankful for the exposure, experience & time you got with the ones you love. 💕 And as a parent, it’s all you hope for. That you give them the match that could someday spark a fire. 🙂
I started my son out with small things as a young child, and the older he got, the more "mature" the things became. He's learned to appreciate many different sports, plays, music, travel experiences, etc. As an adult, he has still taken some vacations with me, and we do so many things, we come back from vacation almost exhausted because we did so many things.
Hi guys, Trent, you hit the nail on the head when you said you didn't appreciate it when you were young. But therein lies the experience and the memory and maybe a little regret that you couldn't see the sacrifice of your family to give you that experience. I think as teenagers we are trying hard to develop our identities that all else is superfluous and it's because we are immature and still developing in many ways. Only as older people can we appreciate the beauty in our world. I say take the kids and give them the space to deal with it in their own way because they are ust starting out in their life journey. They'll appreciate it later in life and thank you for it. Trent, get a bandana to control all that hair man! Super video. Niagara looks amazing. Stay safe and keep up the good work.
My mom took me to a lot of places when I was younger and I feel like I didn’t fully appreciate before but as I got older I realized how much effort my mom out into these trips. As I got older for trips she made me contribute small amount of money to make realize what goes into trips. I also agree these trips when I was younger created a spark in me to want to travel as an adult!
It's so important to take your kids to these places and to build memories and build a relationship with them. But you need to make sure they have a good experience. Teach them why it's so cool, why it's important, and when they grow up, they will take their kids to these places and continue the memories with their own families.
I was not taken on fancy vacations and we (tent) camped wherever we went but those are some of my best childhood memories. My sons went on nice vacations and camping and as they hit their 30's these are the times we talk and laugh about today...so YES...family vacations are important!!
It was amazing seeing the falls back in 2007. My parents never did those types of trips with us kids. Instead we went to our summer cottage every year. We loved nature and still do. Everyone is different. Have a great day!
Beautiful. I agree the appreciation is greater as an adult. Thanks for talking about an important topic. The curry was great to find out about also.
Memories are what keeps you going when life gets hard 😉
Completely agree
Hi
I live in Ontario, Canada. We took our children to many places including Niagara Falls when they were growing up.
It’s funny they all remember their trips differently and yet the same. Taking our children was really awesome family time.
No regrets! I’d do it all again 😃
Oops .. I accidentally hit enter .. anywho .. Camping with my my 3 sons is an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. Hiking, climbing rocks (and trees), swimming in rivers, making dinner over a fire my oldest built with his brothers, and sleeping in a tent together are wonderful memories we all cherish. I did start when the boys were young .. Jack was on my back because he wasn’t walking .. so they grew up camping ... sometimes we would go with 5 or more other families but sometimes by ourselves. That time together made a huge difference in our family .. it helped make us strong and help us bond. I did this as a single mother .. it was exhausting but very much worth it.
Susan, SAME! We have four home-schooled boys and we camp at the beach here in Florida and take them everywhere. They learn so much and being with them strengthens our bond
My grandparents took my brother, sister, and myself to the origin of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park in Minnesota in the mid 1960s; I was a 7 or 8 yo. It's a beautiful place but I barely remember it. What I do have is a precious memory of my beloved grampa's goofy sense of humor. Gramma mentioned she wished she had a jar to collect a little of the water of the small stream that is the beginning of the Mississippi river, Grampa walked over to his boat-sized station wagon, opened the car door, turned and looked at Gramma with a huge grin on his face and said "Here Honey, the door is a jar." I have that picture in my head of him standing next to that car, (it was a 'woody'), door open, giggling like a maniac! That particular scenario is specific to that particular place and I wouldn't trade that memory for anything, so yes, take your kids!
I was a military child and my family traveled all over the world. One thing that made a huge difference to my sisters and I is that my parents always included us in the decisions that they could. We made decisions together so we all were able to understand and appreciate what we were doing and where we were going. That being said I definitely think there are some places that are better for kids of certain ages than others. The more people are exposed to different things the better they can hope to understand different people. : D
absolutely bring your kids. we took our three boys (ages 9,6,3) to paris once... lol. it's almost as you would imagine. our 3 year old always needing a bathroom, our middle kid wandering off, lots of crying, and complaining ... etc. they all are adults now (27, 24,21) and they remember no details, but they all have fond memories of the trip and remember it as the best trip ever...and they've been on a lot of trips.
And that's why you do that with your children - you create memories for them.
leo and those Paris street toilets are...well.. they leave a lot to be desired, don't they? No wonder people are pissing in the subway there! Seriously though we loved Paris and can't wait to take our FOUR boys one day!
Hahaha as a very young child of probably 3-4 years old, I visited Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum at Niagara Falls with my family. All I remember of that entire vacation is the life-like sculpture of a "man cutting another man's hair off" (scalping). I was nothing less than terrified and had nightmares of Niagara Falls for years. As a Mom, some of my best memories with my children are when we were traveling, camping, playing, hanging out. No doubt those were the best days of my life!
My favorite is of five children we took to Yellowstone NP (ages, 2, 9,10,14,17). The kids hated every minute of the trip and fought constantly and hated the idea of camping outside. Near the end of the trip I snapped picture of the 4 youngest surrounding the 2 year old pinning him down to have his picture taken on a scenic forest rock while he has a screeching look on his face, the 2 girls have a look of glee in dishing out the torture, the middle brother has a look of concern to quell the outrage hovering over his baby brother. I love that moment captured in film because it was the ultimate essence of the entire trip. When we got home from the 5 day trip, kids all wanted to know when we were going to do that again because they had so much fun. Yes, take the kids and take lots of pictures (and video).
I am sooooo thankful for getting to travel as a kid. It gave me incredible perspective as an adult. Perhaps I was not as appreciative at the time, but now I see the value. It's worth it.
We took our kids everywhere but we made sure to do things they enjoyed too. Fortunately we could afford to book adjoining hotel rooms. We also went camping and dirt bike riding a lot. Our RV trailer had a front bedroom. You can make anything work with kids. It just takes some planning.
Travel with your kids! my daughters, now grown with their own kids, remember the times we travelled and are some of their most favourite memories.
We were just there. AMAZING!! I love that my parents took my 4 siblings and I on vacation. It made all of us want to travel as adults, appreciate what we had, and gave us the courage to live our lives.
Take them! They remember all their lives. Now we take our grandkids. They love it as well!
We have 7 kids and do a combination of whole-family trips, 1 parent/1 child trips, and mom/dad getaway trips. We try to balance camping/exploring nature with urban experiences, as well as trips for pleasure and trips for mission/serving others. Each child is different in what they enjoy when traveling, but we think it's important to expose each of them to a variety of environments to help them become well-rounded adults. They wish they could go on every trip with us, but my husband and I also insist on at least one trip a year without them. We need a break from parenting sometimes :-)
I remember so many trips I went on as a kid. Going to my moms home farm in Dime Box Tx, and traipsing all 200 acres, looking out for snakes and cows, fishing with a bamboo pole in the stock tank, playing hide and seek in the cornfield and barns with my cousins. Driving 3 days from San Antonio to Charleston and spending the night at Holiday Inn and getting to swim in a pool. Going to Isle of Palms beach and hang out where my dad grew up. One summer spending 2 weeks at a motel with a swimming pool and seeing the mermaids at Weeki Wachee, riding in glass bottom boats seeing all kinds of fish at Silver Springs, and seeing a ski show at Cypress Gardens. As a mom I took m daughter to all kinds of places and she loves exploring new places. I think it is important to show kids how big our world really is and expand horizons.
Thank you for this important discussion. You rock.
I went to Niagra Falls when I was 10 years old, and hated it like you, because I didn't appreciate it. I wish I could go now, but health reasons keep me around home and within my state, that is why I love your videos, YOU TAKE ME EVERYWHERE. LOL
I think it is important to take your kids. They will not have the same appreciation as you, but they will have those great family memories. My family visited Niagra falls when I was a teenager with our cousins and Aunt and Uncle. We had a great vacation that I still remember today. I am from Michigan originally, and we visited there in 1970. Thanks for sharing your experience.
What a fun video. My folks took us on every one of their trips and we loved it. I've done both with my boys and I like having them with me the most. Although last April I took my first solo road trip to Utah to go hiking for 2 weeks and camped in my car and that was hands down the best trip of my life! I think it depends on the circumstances of your life at the time that determines what way is best. Maybe it's all the best, huh?
From a scientific perspective, the emotional memories are the ones that stay with us the longest whereas the pragmatic ones i.e. the physical details of a Monet painting, or where exactly that museum was, are the first memories to go. That's why I think, even though it can be a total pain to take the kids with you to trips, it's super important. The emotional experiences are what open up that part of their brain and therefore development. It is an important part of their foundation as a person and their relationship with the world.
I traveled a lot as a child and I loved it. My parents always made sure we did one thing that I wanted to do. One thing my siblings wanted to do and the rest they planned out. I always wanted to go to specific museums or on specific hikes. I loved it. Since we were homeschooled at the time we always did a short study of the place before and during that trip.
Crystal, yes yes yes! I have four homeschooled boys and we take them everywhere.
Thanks for sharing. I do believe it is important to take your child to different place so that they continue to travel and adventure seek when they grow older.
We actually bought our 3 kids to the Falls this summer. It is a wonderful place and there is so much to do and see as a family. I believe its beneficial to bring your kids anywhere to travel. We as parents have such a short time to be together and show the world to our children. I want to give my kids as many experiences as I can, and hope that these will be fond memories and hopefully when and if they have kids they will want to do the same.
Even if your trip may not be what your children are interested in there are all kinds of adventures that happen along the way. You might be surprised what your kids might take away from time spent together.
Funny about kids...tbey may not seem impressed at the time, but when grow up ..have their own lives, family...tbe magic of those experiences come out...and they will recreate and add to those experiences.
Seeing it firsthand with my grown kids...they are inspiring their own!
I think ideally for every 2 family vacations/weekend trips I’d like 1 just my husband and I to get away alone. I do want my kids to know there is a world outside our city or state! I’d like them to be open minded and experience vacations with the whole family. Those are so memorable. You are right! I didn’t get to travel outside the U.S with my parents and I can’t wait to do so with my family.
I remember hating when my parents would take us on a Sunday drive through the mountains. Now my wife and I drive through and really appreciate them. Go figure. I can’t wait to drag my kids around to different place. I believe it’s why I have such a huge appreciation for different cultures, art, and nature!
I was an 11 yr old girl (50 yrs ago) when I went to see Niagara Falls on the Canadian side and I was very impressed by it. I had always wanted to go back. I think it depends on the child and the family. We traveled a lot when I was growing up and we all love it today. My husband had never been to Niagara Falls so we went to the US side. I enjoyed the US side more now that I'm an adult.
Memories are meaningful events that shape a young mind whether they like it or not. I believe it is important to bring your child with you as a parent to experience things for the first time.
I think it really depends on your kids. I’m an only child so my parents took me on every trip and I remember loving it. I’m sure there were times when I was tired and cranky but I asked my mom and she said I always seemed to enjoy going places and learning new things so that’s why they kept taking me. My mom loves traveling and grew up all over the US and Europe as a child, and I think she passed that down to me as well.
I traveled as a kid and I do remember being in Aaah of different things. The falls left a very fond memory for me.
YES, definitely spend the time, effort and money to take your kids (regardless of age) to see beyond the horizon. You, Trent & Allie, are the best example of why parents should. YOU LOVE BEING OUT AND ABOUT! My dad took us on lonnnng weekend drives (because with five kids they couldn't afford flights to Europe). They were boring most of the time, but I was bit by the travel bug, nonetheless, and I'm now saving up for my own van!
I was a history Nerd, so I LOVED going to museums and historical sights. Learning what the historic signifigance of a place or thing was made me happy. Also let's face it I had no social life so?
We always went into nature on vacation and I loved it most of the time, sitting and a canoe for hours fishing was the only thing I got bored of because I just did not understand it at all. Now I love it now, mostly because I catch to eat instead of just releasing.
I really think that was what grew my deep love I have for nature now as an adult.
So as a parent of three (8,10 & 12) I've found that through the years I've taken my kids places and they can make it both the worst time ever or the greatest time ever for me and my good lady. But what I find really interesting is that they have said to me at a much later time after a trip "remember when we went to that blah... it was amazing. I'd love to go back" and often it's not the place you'd think they'd have picked out of all the places you've taken them. It's very hit or miss and its really random what hits and what doesn't. All you can do is keep taking them and hope they appreciate it.
Definitely take the kids, especially out into Nature! They may not fully grasp what it means to them, they may be a bit distracted with their technology and other habits, but if they do not have the opportunity to get out into some wilderness, the disconnect will be even deeper in adult life. Love that you brought this up, because I see this in every day life with kids today staying indoors much of the time. We had a woods behind our house, and this was a sanctuary for me as a child. Some of my grand children do not even spend a moment outside except to get into a car to go to some other indoor place.
I think it’s good to have a balance in kid vacations and adult vacations. I also think if you set the learning up before you even go on vacation it helps kids enjoy the trip. Let them help you set up the trip so they feel involved from the beginning.
Yes, bring your kids. We've been on the road for over two years. Our daughter now 13 loved it for the first year - but not so much anymore. Hoping to take her to Australia for an epic road trip. I think she's up for that. Loved your video. Niagara falls is awesome. Made it there in June 2017. 😎
I think it is all about the experience. My parents took me and my siblings all around the world, and because of that we are so much more open minded to other people's cultures and life experiences. I mean, now I live in a foreign country completely opposite to my culture. Kids don't have the life experience to appreciate places and art for everything that they are, but having the chance to see those things creates appreciation in adulthood.
I’ve been really lucky in that my kids loved visiting museums and places of beauty. I think the trick of taking kids away is to do a variety of things that suit everybody. I Home educated my two throughout their teen years and we tend to go to research a area before we go and all choose a few places each. It’s worked for us. My eldest is autistic so even with the best planning in the world we sometimes have to leave a place if he can’t cope with it. It doesn’t mean he didn’t enjoy it, just he’s had enough for the day.
I love this place. Last time I was there was over 10 years ago. Love watching you guys!
My dad had vacation two weeks in the summer. We would take off for those two weeks tent camping (it was the 70s so I had a lot of freedom at the camp grounds) and since it was just me it would be some place historical or we would pick a state and site see that state I loved it and have seen so much and gone places most kids my age wouldn't see. The memories I have traveling with parents and the places I saw are cherished.
Great to see just you two and Frank!! I have a older son and I really don’t think that he would have enjoyed it, it’s better when they get older.
Growing up, I traveled all over Canada and USA, but did not see many items close by, as my father liked to drive far away. We saw lots of items. For me, some items were boring, at museums, and it was the same for my brothers, sister, and I, but we knew our parents liked it. Now as I got older, my wife and I traveled to the eastern coast of Canada, and went when our children were older. My kids remember part of it, but not as much as we do, and now I understand what my parents went through. My brother and I have done lots of trips with our children, and both have said the same thing. I have taken my family on train day trip to Toronto and seen many items, but its the memories... my oldest is the best tho, she keeps telling us about memories and items we do all the time, and she is only 7. She appreciates all the items we do.
I would love for you guys, when your back in the North, to come back up to Southern Ontario, and visit a few locations. I would think you guys would love to see Point Pelee and take the ferry over to Pelee Island. You 3 would enjoy the local history around the area and great items like Wineries all over and locations to show history of great items between Canada and USA. Even the Detroit and southern Michigan area showing the history... these items, they have now gone into having specific items for Kids and adults, both together, and make things memorable.
Another great video guys thanks I vote always take the kids because they grow up very fast and then there gone to college or working on there careers. Make memories with your kids. The opportunity to do it gets harder as they get older. There will be lots of time to travel with your partner later. It Is very important to make memories with your kids ❤️😎🚌thanks for sharing and safe travels
I will always remember family vacations and experiences when my parents took the time to make those memories. That being said, I was such a mischievous little terror that I have sympathy for my parents. I was one of those kids who would have been seeking out a barrel to either go over the falls in or talking one of my sibs into the adventure, not good, the thought today terrifies me. Nice video.
That’s funny how you said your sense of adventure came from going on adventures with your parents growing up because for me it was the complete opposite. I didn’t really go on trips with my parents and as I’m getting older and now 20 I kind of feel like I missed out on that part as a kid but that is what is fueling my sense of adventure and curiosity 😁. I think even when you guys have kids and take them on trips the fun joyous moments you will have will out way the bad ones. 😊
I believe it’s important to takes kids they may not appreciate it but it’s a beautiful memory for them when they get older and sadly when parents pass away you hold onto those memories so yes for me it’s a big thing to take kids as much as possible
Ask my daughter who spent years travelling n living out of our van! She speaks very highly of knowing the bush so well - and having made it all the way round Aus when she was a teenager. She also often dreams of taking her fam travelling too - but I might 'steal' my grand-daughter n take her travelling b4 she manages it ;-)
The food looks gr8!
My son was on all trips and at times the most important thing was "there's a pool at the hotel tonight." As a parent make sure to plan your travels including the kids or you will disturb other peoples enjoyment. I planned that pool each night. If the kids are bored they will make EVERYONE regret it. Animals, water, things that you can touch etc are interesting to kids. Riding in a car is also enjoyable short time.
Mt Rushmore was boring but the Reptile museum was a hit.
When they were 12, my parents took my daughter and nephew to Alaska for 5 weeks. They are 30 now and still say it was the best vacay ever!
Hi Trent and Allie i have been binge watching you since the dont stop belizing journey started and i just came across this one come to find out i was there with my daughter her husband my brother and mother we rented a ford explorer and drove out there for my birthday in September 30 of 2018 we was there from Sept 23rd thru October 3rd my mom also took me 20 ish years ago and remember it fondly but this trip i had one of my kids with me and watching her see Niagara Falls for the first time, they look of amazement on her face, was something i will never forget, we have so many fond memories i wish i was following you back then i was already following nomadic movement love you guys and what your doing i wish any one of my kids had half the courage and i cant wait to get on the road myself or with my other half... love your videos safe travels nancy
Stunning even in video form! Thanks...take your children everywhere!!!! Devo does driving 💋