My kids don't remember the traveling we did when they were younger, but I treasure the memories for them

15.01.2024 - 14:27 / insider.com / My Kids

While we were growing our family, my husband and I raised our kids in the Middle East, starting from when our oldest child was a toddler up through her middle school years. Since we were already on that side of the Atlantic, halfway around the world from our native United States, we seized the opportunity to travel and experience nearby locations.

While we quickly recognized that it's not always easy to travel internationally with children, we took on the challenge. We didn't want to miss opportunities just because we had young kids, including a toddler and a baby. In fact, during many of our trips, our four kids were all under 10 years old.

My husband and I, with three kids at the time, explored Amman and Jordan, and drove the scenic route through the country to Petra. We went to Lebanon to see Byblos, Jeita Grotto, and the cedar forests. We traveled to Europe for a snowy Thanksgiving and took a trip to visit friends in London. Our family kept up traveling after our youngest was born and camped in the desert of Egypt, swam in the Red Sea, and beheld the resting sites of the ancient pharaohs.

But when we looked back at photos of different adventures, I began to discover that sometimes my kids barely remembered the actual trip at all.

From our trip to Petra, the two older kids remember riding a donkey and riding a horse. From our time in Lebanon, my daughter remembers seeing a broken-down playground near the lodge where we stayed. One son remembers eating eggs and za'atar. From London, my younger son remembers "everybody looking at a big clock." Sometimes, the only thing anyone remembers is if someone fell down and skinned a knee.

I couldn't believe it. All these incredible places, and they remember a donkey? Eggs? A minor injury?

At first, I was disappointed they didn't remember more from our family vacations. I wondered if it was a waste of time and effort if they didn't remember. But I've since changed my perspective about this.

My kids are a little older now, and the trips we take stick in their memories a little better. But I still don't regret the trips they have forgotten. Being there with them as we explored a new country or new city was invaluable for me.

I loved getting to see their wonder and excitement while climbing into caves or discovering a desert oasis. Together, we saw history come alive as we explored ancient cities, Roman architecture, and medieval castles. I delighted in hearing their observations about the modern cities we visited, whether that was confusion about the traffic patterns or jubilation when they saw mountains and waterfalls.

While some of the logistics of traveling together while they were young were difficult to manage, the hassle and extra expense were worth it. I