Completely agree. A couple of years ago, my wife and I took our 5 kids on a 3 week, 5000+ mile roadtrip and it was one of the greatest things we've ever done. If also at times, inconvenient and stressful. But it was also 3 weeks of our family being together, planning and solving problems. Simple and fun.
We just took our (newly) 5 year old to England for 10 days. Two nights in London, and the rest in the countryside. It was our first international trip with him, and while it, OF COURSE, looked different than how we traveled before him, it was honestly so much fun. It was a delight to see his enjoyment of things and to let him lead the way at times. We still went to museums and ate in pubs and did things we would have done without him in addition to time spent on playgrounds (it helps when the playground is located on the grounds of an old Tudor estate).
I see people talk about not wanting to become parents because they want to explore and learn more and not be hampered by kids, and while money can definitely be a factor, I’m back in school pursuing a degree in history and traveling the world as a parent. It doesn’t have to mean the end of everything but drudgery.
"...it requires constant little sacrifices, which leaven the experience in unexpected ways. They’re not major or high stakes sacrifices that disrupt life, but they are simple exercises in putting someone else first. And it turns out there is joy in not getting what you want."
Completely agree. A couple of years ago, my wife and I took our 5 kids on a 3 week, 5000+ mile roadtrip and it was one of the greatest things we've ever done. If also at times, inconvenient and stressful. But it was also 3 weeks of our family being together, planning and solving problems. Simple and fun.
Love it. Out of curiosity, what kind of vehicle did you guys use?
A Toyota Sienna. 8 seater version.
We just took our (newly) 5 year old to England for 10 days. Two nights in London, and the rest in the countryside. It was our first international trip with him, and while it, OF COURSE, looked different than how we traveled before him, it was honestly so much fun. It was a delight to see his enjoyment of things and to let him lead the way at times. We still went to museums and ate in pubs and did things we would have done without him in addition to time spent on playgrounds (it helps when the playground is located on the grounds of an old Tudor estate).
I see people talk about not wanting to become parents because they want to explore and learn more and not be hampered by kids, and while money can definitely be a factor, I’m back in school pursuing a degree in history and traveling the world as a parent. It doesn’t have to mean the end of everything but drudgery.
"...it requires constant little sacrifices, which leaven the experience in unexpected ways. They’re not major or high stakes sacrifices that disrupt life, but they are simple exercises in putting someone else first. And it turns out there is joy in not getting what you want."
Love it.