You, your husband and two children, ages 10 and 13 are going on a long-anticipated—by you—trip to London and Paris. You and your husband have been there before and loved it so much that you simply must show your children those famous places and mind-opening culture palaces.Your children are not so thrilled. In fact,
13-year-old, a girl, has asked if she could stay with her best friend while you and her whiny younger brother go to Europe without her.
How do you turn scenario around? How do you detoxify inevitable, “Are we there yet?” Here are ten ways to go.
#1 Get them into mood of place in advance. Watch movies or read books set in that particular country or city. This will involve them in places on an emotional level, and they'll be really keen to actually go to “where it happened.” Many of these media offerings are about kids, and that's always an interest builder. Some of these stories show kids as brave, bold and adventurous ones, while adults in charge need their help. Nothing like being more in control of a situation than grownups to whet your appetite for travel.
#2 Find places that are intriguing, not-well-known and “kid-friendly” to visit. As a former kid, I'm sure you remember how PAINFUL “seeing” something can be. Plan to go to places where you will be “doing” something. Active places win hands down with kids. If you do go to a “seeing” place, plan an activity, such as a scavenger hunt, to transform it into a “doing” place. Imagine fun you can have at spots such as perfume museum in Paris, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, or at City of London museum sound and light show depicting famous fire that destroyed London!
#3 Plan shopping trips that your kids will enjoy and have them save up for special stuff they like, or give them allowances. Allow equal time for each in shop of his/her choice. Getting stuff is always a blast, and showing stuff off to friends gives them bragging rights as well!
