The idea of sharing quality time with people we love while on a vacation is something that many families think about – and there are some good reasons why that should be!
Experiences Matter, Especially Shared Ones. Studies consistently show that more people value experiences over things – because the memories that are created on those experiences are often the ones that we carry with us the longest. As many adults will tell you, they remember their childhood vacations more than any one gift they ever received! So, it is no coincidence that for many of us, experiences – especially shared experiences with those we love – are so longed for, because they were so missed, and so valued.
See the World Through Another’s Eyes. There is such joy from different ages enjoying time together in a new place, because everyone learns to “see” things through another’s eyes: Grandparents seeing the joy of little ones as they experience their first time in the ocean; older kids hearing grandparents tell stories of the time that they visited the Grand Canyon – as they all visit it together; parents watching their teens and their own parents bond over which kind of Mickey Ears to buy as they enjoy the magic of a Disney vacation. We learn so much when we can experience something through the perspective of another!
Uninterrupted Time. One thing we learned since the pandemic is how valuable our time is with loved ones. So, spending precious time together is one of the best gifts we can give each other. The thing is, on a daily basis, “life” often gets in the way of spending quality time together. That’s one of the most beautiful things about traveling with others – we can spend time without worry, without being pulled into daily “stuff”, without distractions. We can focus on others in a way that we can’t always do. And that time together has the benefit of strengthening family bonds along the way.
Learning Together – and From Each Other. Traveling together can bring challenges, especially if exploring a new or unfamiliar area. There may be different customs or traditions, there may be traveling challenges, logistical challenges, technological challenges, and maybe even language challenges. But doing this all together with multiple generations, provides the perfect teachable moments – for every age! Each age often has a unique opportunity to learn from – and teach – the others.
Creating Memories for a Lifetime. I’ve often said that the best family vacation we have ever taken was the year we went to Walt Disney World with my parents. Surprising us all when they agreed to go with us, the joy that our then 9-year-old daughter had planning the trip with them – from where to stay, to what/where to eat, to the “must see” rides – was surpassed only by the joy that we shared on the trip. The memories that I have of the laughs from my parents on that trip are beyond precious to me, especially as I lost my dad a few years later, and my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. When I say that we did truly make memories for a lifetime on that trip, I mean every word of it.
We’ve all been reminded over the past 4 years, of how precious time with loved ones is. Planning a vacation together with those we love is truly one of the best ways to make up for time lost – and allows us to make some beautiful memories for the future.
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