When kids travel

I’ve read somewhere that one of the qualities that define great leaders is that they are well travelled. Keeping that in mind, I made sure that I bring our kids to all our travels and kept it as a family goal and tradition. On my very first international travel, Gary’s first time too, we brought with us an infant, a 4 year old and a 10 year old to HK. Two years later, we thought we were ready to see Europe as a family, so we did for a month! Parents have been asking me how do we do it. Looking back, I don’t have all the answers but two words pop into my mind, patience and preparation .

Anyway, I just thought of sharing some of my observations when we travel with kids. They most of the time;

1. Enjoy the traveling part more than the destination, except of course if you’re going to Disneyland (or the like).
2. Get hungry and thirsty every minute. But do not want to eat when it’s time to.
3. Get bored easily. So they either do or say the silliest things one could imagine and most of the time you just end up laughing.
4. Are super-hyper. Or maybe not, it’s just that you lack enough rest or sleep and too tired to look after them.
5. Need to go to the bathroom at the most inconvenient time and place. And ‘Wait’ is not an option.
6. Prefer to stay inside the hotel than go out. (Again, except if you’re going to a place that interest them)
7. Think they need to buy something, just anything. Like clothes, food, candy, souvenir, books… but most of the time TOYS. (Well, adults do feel that way too)
8. Will find a way to PLAY. And run. And climb. And hide. 
9. Can find all the reasons to fight (with sibling/s) or complain.
10. Can be easily pleased… for a short time.
11. Can’t be forced to MOVE when they’re sleepy. You’ll end up carrying them, on top of your hand-carries.
12. Will talk nonstop. (Traveling or not)

In short, kids will be kids. I am not discouraging anyone though. It’s fulfilling to travel as a family.  You just need to be well informed so that you’ll expect for the worst, come prepared and make the most of it. As they say, ‘Knowing is winning half the battle.’