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Outside Good Cho's in Taipei |
On traveling as a kid
‘It was either an overseas trip every year or owning a car,’
my mum recalled.
Being a single parent, she did not want our childhood
experiences to be any less than normal kid’s. She’s completely outdone herself,
with my brother and I having hit 10 countries before even taking our O level
exams. Disneyland in America, Sea World in Australia, skiing in Korea . . .
everything an average Singaporean kid could ask for and really so much more.
Thus I blame my itch to travel every year on her upbringing.
Even in the year I had a severe bronchitis attack, I still went to a nearby
Southeast Asian country for a short getaway.
Here are my thoughts on we ought to travel with children (though it can such a pain) –
Here are my thoughts on we ought to travel with children (though it can such a pain) –
1. Singapore
is small
I know right. But no seriously, there is only so many places
you can visit on a day off with your kids. The zoo and the aquarium are
fantastic, but after a dozen visits, even these world class attractions turn
stale.
Perhaps you might argue that we have large open spaces to
play, where kids can run around fly kites or cycle. But these large open spaces
are usually overcrowded and a chore to get to by public transport. A stroller,
diaper bag and picnic mat? You get the picture.
2. The
world is their classroom
If going to school gives you an education in language and
sciences, then travelling allows you to widen your knowledge of the world. What
better way to learn the history of the Holocaust then standing in the middle of
one of the concentration camps or understanding a people’s culture while
donning their traditional costume.
Most families with young children travel on guided tours and
yes I agree that these can be rather contrived. I mean the national landmark
and main tourist attractions all day, every day. Nonetheless, there is value in
organized trips as well. With this preliminary knowledge, they might be spurred
to read up more or go back again when their older for deeper experience.
3. There’s
something about being abroad
For those who love travelling, you know that feeling. The
moment you get to the airport, something about the air is different. You’re
suddenly more adventurous, more curious and aware of your surroundings. Take
that feeling a multiply it ten times for a child.
They are learning so much more than we think. They are keen
observers, imitators and learners. I believe that immersing oneself in another
culture / country is so much easier as a child – we had less prejudice, less
care of our image and even lesser assumptions on how things ought to be. This sets
the stage for appreciation of differences at a very early age.
--
Yes there were difficult events, losing a luggage key, being unable to locate the domestic flight gate or getting food poisoning. But if looking past the awkward smiles and tired legs, I would not trade any one of these adventures for the convenience of a family car.
Did you travel much as a child? How did that affect you growing up?
Grateful,
Amy
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