Why let your child go with his grandparents?

Why let your child go with his grandparents?

Grandchildren and grandparentsAs the saying goes, travel shapes youth. Allowing your child to travel with their grandparents is an interesting alternative if you cannot accompany them. All you need to do is take a few precautions so that these holidays are enriching for both generations and give them the desire to start again.

 

What are the advantages of going on holiday with Grandpa and Grandma?

 

According to a survey carried out by Familiscope , a third of French children spent their holidays with their grandparents in 2013. There are many reasons that led them to make this choice. Unlike parents, grandparents have time they can spend with their grandchildren. They are able to spend the day with them without time constraints and without a specific schedule. This availability gives them great freedom of action and allows the children to always have attentive interlocutors.

 

Spending holidays away from parents also generates a sense of independence in children. This relative autonomy brings a balance in their development and helps them to cut, little by little, the umbilical cord which connects them to their parents.

 

For the little ones, traveling with grandparents is more reassuring and represents an opening to a new world. Shopping at the market with Grandma, going fishing or playing pétanque with Grandpa are all experiences that are as interesting as they are authentic. This escapade allows them to gain in maturity since they will have to adapt to new eating habits or to different wake-up, nap or bedtime times.

 

In addition, going with familiar people allows your child to quickly feel comfortable. This way the vacation can last longer, although eight to ten days is ideal for a 5-year-old.

 

How to make this trip a success?

 

– If your child is going abroad with your parents, you must ensure the validity of his or her passport, the date it was issued and the visa requirements of the host country. Even if the authorization to leave the territory was abolished in 2013, it is often useful to write a letter authorizing your parents to leave with your child.

 

– For the trip to take place in the best conditions, it is important to take out travel insurance for your child. Not only will this cover give you greater peace of mind, but it will prove to be a great help in the event of any problems during the journey.

 

– Carefully prepare the suitcases of your offspring. Clothing and personal effects should be suitable for the climate and length of stay. Above all, don't forget the health book and, if necessary, the medicines with the doctor's prescription, they must be at hand throughout the trip.

 

– It is important to inform the grandparents well about your child's eating habits, any allergies, the dosage of medication, ... without being too demanding with them, because, remember, they were parents before you !

 

– Finally, you must prepare your child for the separation, especially if he is still very young. Talk about this period as a party, an occasion for rejoicing and having fun, try to make him understand how much fun he will have, make new friends or discover a particular environment. To maintain the link, don't forget to add that you will be thinking of him a lot during his absence and that he will have a lot to tell you when he returns.

 

Grandparents: how to keep children happy and motivated?

 

Traveling with grandchildren is a real source of pleasure, but it can also raise some difficulties. To avoid hearing: "I don't like", "it's too hot", "I'm bored" and other phrases of the same kind, it is recommended to establish an itinerary according to the desires, the tastes of each and the age of your proteges. If you ask them to plan the trip with you, it will be an opportunity for them to get involved in this project while having fun doing research like the grown-ups.

 

For the trip to take place in the best conditions, you must plan entertainment adapted to each person's age. Little ones will prefer reading books, songs and games while teenagers will opt for their music player and video games.

 

The trip can also be used to enrich children's knowledge if you offer them little quizzes, riddles or crafts on the history, geology, famous monuments and traditions of the country visited. You can ask parents for ideas about their children's interests to help with this step.

 

Whether during layovers or at destination, let your grandchildren call their parents. The latter will be delighted to hear their little ones tell them about their discoveries and their wonder during the trip.

 

A veritable bath of youth for grandparents, traveling with grandchildren is at the same time an opportunity for discovery and development of autonomy for young people. On our site, other advice is available to perfect intergenerational holidays or trips with children.

 

And you, have you ever thought about encouraging your children to go on vacation with their grandparents?