Oh the Places You Go- Showing your children the world.

Show your Children the World.

No this is not about the Dr. Seuss Book, but good reasoning. A wise friend of mine once said that what makes you YOU and changes you are the Places You Go, the Things You See, and the People You Meet.  I have been blessed to travel through out Europe as a youngster. I am sure that the experience of traveling to Europe  as an exchange student and on my own, changed who I am. My mother may have been a bit crazy or ahead of her time,but she gave each one of us kids a Graduation from High School Trip, These trips were not the typical go to a tropic location and party like so many trips today seem to be. They were trips where we went out on our own and explored the world and life, I went to France, one brother to a Boy Scout jamboree another to stay in Hawaii in the dorms at the YMCA. 
These trips changed who we  were.  They made us independent, we had to rely on ourselves, cell phones were non-existent.   We had to rely on our wits. We learned about exotic cultures and ourselves at the same time. 
Travel teaches us many things, not only do we get to see new places for some of us we get to go amazing places. Going somewhere new opens us to more travel and more experiences. But did you know there is scientific proof?
I of all people understand that distant travel is not always possible.  You and your family can still benefit from the occasional day trip. Day trips are a great thing to do in the summer. You may have more free time with the kids, instead of spending it all at the pool, or cleaning the house, why not try a new spot in town, or check out some local day trips. Some of my fondest memories as kid are not necessarily the trips to Europe, but the little trips around our area. Looking for new swimming holes, going to a different town’s festival.
Try going somewhere new this summer, many of us get in a rut of going to the same places for vacations, and while familiarity is comforting, going somewhere new opens up your brain. Ask your kids where they want to go, you will be surprised.  If all you do is go to the local museum you will most likely experience something new. We have been going to the same museum since before our kids were born, but going with kids has taught us to see it from a different perspective. For instance, I never noticed the Picasso at our museum, until my daughter took a shine to it.
Where do you like to take your kids?

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