Going on a big trip, whether it’s to a location on the other side of the world, or if it is one that will last a long time, always raises the question should you take your family with you too. Especially if you have young children, the stress of travel can at times seem too much. But, on the other hand staying together as a family and being able to create memories and have adventures in a new environment which can be both fun and educational. In this article, we will go over some pros and cons of taking your child on a big trip, and we will also throw in some useful advice on what you can do if you decide to do it after all. So let's start!
Consider their age
Age is one of the notions that you should consider before deciding whether or not to take your child on a big trip. If they are babies or toddler you don’t really have a lot of choices, they need to be with you and at that age, they shouldn’t be separated from their parent, especially mother for long stretches of time. Of course, taking such a small child on a big trip requires additional planning and some logistic maneuvering. For example, if it is a work trip to Asia you need to or some other remote destination you'll have to spend some time apart on location. And in case your spouse can’t come you need to arrange for care options. Luckily, you can find a highly recommended playgroup in Hong Kong where your child will get adequate care, education and spend time socializing with their peers. That way you will be able to stay on location for however long it takes, conduct your business and know that your child is in safe hands. As for older children, it is best to have a long conversation with them regarding their personal wishes. There is a good chance they won’t want to leave school or their friends and fly with you to the other side of the world for a few months. In that case, don’t push too hard as it may result in a round trip for the entire family.
Make sure you can have all their needs met
If your child has a specific medical condition that requires certain treatment options or they need to stick to a certain diet regimen, you need to make sure that the location you are visiting has everything they need. If this is not the case, the trip simply isn’t possible. So the first thing you need to do is research the local hospitals, see whether your medical insurance covers the treatment abroad and determine which hospitals are included. The next step is checking the availability of medications. You can bring some with you, but it is essential that you are also able to procure them on location. Finally, make sure that your doctor connects with the physician on slight so that everything goes as smoothly as possible. In the case where only nutrition might be an issue, you should definitely browse through the list of local products in order to find ones that have the same ingredients as the ones you usually use, also find the right stores that have those products on stock. That way you will be able to provide your child with the nutritional regimen they are used to, even if you are in another country. If any of these options are not feasible you should consider not bringing your child on that particular trip.
Is it worth it?
This is the question that is definitely worth asking before you get into all the planning. If taking your child on a big trip turns out to be a logistical nightmare, and you are not sure whether you will be able to ensure that all their needs are met. You should definitely consider all of these aspects before you make the final decision. It might sound like a great idea, and you might really want to realize it, but in the end, you need to put your child first and see if taking them on such a long trip is actually worth the hassle for you and for them. You might decide that staying closer to home, at least for the time being is a much more favorable option. Of course, there is always a chance that the trip is not voluntary and that you don’t have the option declining to go. Then a big sit-down with the entire family is a must to figure out how to take this challenge on.
So we hope that this article can help you decide whether or not to take your child on a big trip. We know that it is not an easy decision, but it might end up being one of the best adventures of your life. In the end, it is all up to you and your family. Good luck!
