Mother's Day 2024: Know About The Joy Of Travelling With Your Kids, Things To Keep In Mind And Destinations To Explore

International Mother's Day 2024: This Mother's Day, ABP Live spoke to a few women to love travelling and dare to pursue this dream with their kids, cherishing motherhood in their own way.

Mother's Day is celebrated worldwide on May 12th to honour the ones who dedicate their lives raising their children and tirelessly work each day without taking any break, often without receiving due credit. While embracing motherhood, women often forget to live their dreams on top of which the society keeps on reminding them their responsibilities and the sacrifices they need to make.

This Mother's Day, ABP Live spoke to a few women to love travelling and dare to pursue this dream with their kids.

Being a full-time traveller with your child is still a rare occurrence in India and these mothers are not just breaking societal boundaries, but also cherishing motherhood at the same time.

Embracing Motherhood With Travelling:

A number of women think that their post-pregnancy lives will only revolve around their children, and they have to let go their dreams. But, there are also examples when mothers ditch the usual way of parenting and adopt travelling as a teacher for their children.

Kalyani Kapdi, who is a physiotherapist by profession and a traveller by passion, said, "My travels stopped briefly after my son was born in 2010 as all my focus was on my child then. When he was over 3 years old, I took my son on his first trek in Sahyadris, Sagargad, where he walked 6 km. Soon after, he walked 10 km at Tungareshwar and there was no stopping after that."

Travelling With Children: A Different Game Altogether

While travelling solo is fun with a few spontaneous plans all about yourself, travelling with your child is something different. Apart from the immense joy of being a mother cum friend or travel partner, it also comes with lots of planning, research, and responsibility. 

Dr. Saakshi Gulati, a dentist turned full-time traveller said, "Travelling solo, or with friends, has a lot of flexibility to explore different activities and destinations. You can travel for longer hours without worrying much about the weather and food. On the other hand, travelling with a child involves more planning and consideration for their needs. However, seeing the world through your child's eyes can also bring a new sense of wonder and joy to the experience."

"Travelling with a kid requires careful consideration of his needs and interests, but the shared experiences create lasting memories and strengthen our bond.  It's a holistic approach to educate and bond that extends beyond the classroom and traditional family settings," added Vandana, who works in the aviation industry.

Nurturing Adventures Together:

Travelling with a child can be deeply rewarding for both the mother and the child. It fosters bonding, creates lasting memories, and allows for shared adventures.

According to Pallavee, who works in the corporate, "Travelling with children is an opportunity to build bonds beyond the usual environment of home and school."

She added, "I try to strike a balance between letting my kids explore, and providing guidance. My recent trip to Manali with my sister and our kids was memorable because my son took charge of booking the bus travel and stay. It was a great experience to see him take on responsibilities and make decisions."

Travelling is a school in itself. It teaches you every required skill you will need to survive and ace in your life.

Vandana said, "Travelling with a mother provides the children a sense of security, adventure, and learning. It exposes them to diverse cultures, landscapes, and experiences, fostering curiosity, resilience, and independence." 

Measures To Take While Travelling With Your Child:

For every mother, safety of her child is a top priority and that's why it is important to remain cautious while choosing your destination, stay, food, and activities.

Pallavee said, "I come from Uttarakhand, so I'm familiar with the mountainous terrain and other outdoor activities. Proper safety gear, such as appropriate shoes, power banks, and proper attire, are essential. Additionally, understanding the risks associated with each activity and having a plan in case of emergencies is crucial. It's important to ensure that everyone knows the safety guidelines and follows them closely."

Trekking with a child involves both physical and mental readiness, especially with the added weight.

"Over the years, I've refined our preparation techniques. Physically, I focus on strength and endurance training, ensuring I can handle the extra load. Mentally, I cultivate patience and adaptability, knowing that trekking with a child requires flexibility and resilience," said Vandana.

Mentioning other safety aspects, Dr. Nikita Mathur, who is a mother of two sons said, "I am very careful with the companies I choose for such activities, not just with kids but on a personal level too. I also do not force the child if he does not want to do something." 

Destinations To Travel With Children This Summer: 

With the summer vacations arriving, we asked these mothers about their favourite travel destinations with children and family. While Dr. Saakshi and Dr. Nikita recommended Meghalaya, Kashmir, Coonoor, Tirthan, Landour, Valparai, Mahabaleshwar, Rishikesh, and Bir, Kalyani said she would prefer trekking in the Himalayas with her kid.

So if you are also a mother who wants to live her dream of exploring the world, gather your courage and plan a trip with your kids. You might end up getting a perfect travel partner who shares the same joy and passion for exploring new destinations.