U.S. Hispanics know that nothing is more important than family. We love to do everything together, such as cooking, watching movies, and eating together.
Yet there is another activity that we should do more of whenever we get the chance, I’m talking traveling, baby. Trust me, nothing beats the joy of traveling with la familia, and in this article, I’ll share some solid reasons to back what I say.
Hopefully, I’ll have you packing your bags and booking the next ticket to wherever your heart screams by the end of this article.
Why Hispanic Families Should Travel Together
1. Strengthens Trust Through Responsibility
Traveling together doesn’t have to be a solo effort, you can treat it kind of like a team project where each family member plays a role in improving or helping with the journey. You can assign roles both before and during your journey.
For example, my dad once asked me to plan a whole day’s activities when we visited Miami. Being assigned that role made me feel trusted and created a sense of responsibility in my mind, because like Uncle Ben said, “with great power comes great responsibility”.
Assigning such roles to family members, especially children, can make them feel more included, and trusted, and also help them develop one of the most important skills they’ll need later on, responsibility.
2. Encourages More Communication
Let’s be honest, we work hard each and every day to provide our families with a great life, but sadly, it leaves little time for us to spend with them. It may not seem like it at first, but gradually this leads to communication barriers and distance between family members.
And we all know that communication is one of the most important factors you need to achieve a healthy family dynamic. By planning a trip, you’re giving your family a lot of room to communicate, connect, and understand one another better. Let me share a personal story to help paint a picture of what I mean.
My older brother is an extrovert and I am an introvert, and I thought we were pretty much opposites in almost everything. He’d be out with his friends, and I’d be home gaming, not really talking much. I used to think we wouldn’t be that close, but mom and pop Hernandez took it on themselves to change that. How? They sent us on a trip together. By having a chance to open up to each other, we learnt that we do have some similar interests and began to enjoy them together whenever we could.
3. Breaking Free from the Digital World
I don’t want you to think that I’m against using digital tools and platforms, I mean they have improved our lives significantly. That being said, it’s no secret that we have the urge to use them excessively, which can be very unhealthy, especially for your cute little ninos. Traveling together can help your children realize that there’s a big beautiful world out there waiting for them with adventures and new experiences.
You can teach them outdoor skills like camping, fishing, and many more. All these can encourage them to pursue healthier activities, and possibly even find their calling. And it’s not just helping them find themselves, it’s also about helping them interact with the society we live in and make some friends with similar interests.
Camping, hiking, or fishing with friends are all great ways to create lasting memories, and if your children already know and enjoy them, it will make their experience even better. My dad used to take us on hiking trips a lot, which fueled my passion for the activity. Because of that, I’ve planned numerous trips with friends and the knowledge he shared helped me on each one.
I hope that by now you’re imagining where to take your next family trip to. But before you go, let me give you some tips for a smoother experience.
3 Tips for a Memorable Family Trip
Pack Mobile Internet: You might want to reach out to your provider for mobile internet, not to stay all glued to your phones, but to keep you safe and informed. If you’re an Optimum internet user like me, you can reach out to customer service from Optimum en español about the mobile service!
Enjoy The Small Things: Things like going for a walk, picnic, or to the beach can create some of the most joyful memories for the whole fam. I mean, walking, talking, and simply exploring the area you’re in as a family does sound like an exciting adventure, doesn’t it? There’s a lot of us in America, so you can easily find Hispanic events or museums to balance fun and cultural education.
Use an Airbnb Rental: We all know that when Hispanic families go on trips, it’s like a small army of travelers, which makes hotels quite an expensive option. Luckily, you can book an Airbnb rental and you’ll feel like you’re at home, with kitchens, and rooms. Plus, you can cook together and save money that would be spent eating out and still feeling hungry.
Traveling – An Effective Way for Hispanic Families to Bond
They say it’s not the destination, but the journey, and I couldn’t agree more. The chance to laugh, sing, and joke with your family is a priceless feeling.
By traveling more often, Hispanic families can communicate better, become a team, and break free from digital noise to enjoy many new adventures and experiences together.
