Around 16% of children in America live in blended families. The good news for loving stepdads is the way a child perceives their bond with both parents is crucial if a family is to stay together in the long-term.
There are many activities that foster bonding think sporting activities, studying together and enjoying some family TV home viewing. However, one of the most powerful is traveling.
If you’re a new stepdad, travel is a fantastic way to discover the best things about your stepkids in an loosely structured, adventure-filled setting.
If you’re thinking of going abroad for an upcoming vacation, make sure your trip is as safe as it is fun, by following these tips.
Health Comes First
You may not be going white water rafting or trekking up the Himalayas, but accidents, allergies and other conditions requiring medical attention can happen while you are on holiday. General travel insurance is good but if you’re traveling the world in search of adventure, you should speak to an insurance agent about dedicated insurance for adventure sports such as skiing, mountain biking and the like.
If your children are very young, it’s important to research into the countries you are visiting. Your chosen destination should have a wide range of safe activities for little ones, as well as more adventurous escapades for adults and older kids.
Try to avoid areas in which malaria, dengue fever or other insect-borne diseases may be a problem.
Child-Friendly Destinations
Every continent has its appeal:
- Asia and its white sand beaches like Boracay in the Philippines,
- Italy and its sun-kissed coasts; and
- Kenya and its exotic safaris.
Every country has its own appeal so it’s important to choose one that will make life easier if you are traveling with children. US News has an excellent list of child-friendly spots, many of which are off-the-beaten-track.
The list includes
- Tokyo (with its marvelous blend of spiritual, gastronomic and cultural pursuits),
- Amsterdam (older kids can hone their knowledge in history at the Ann Frank House or the Van Gogh Museum), and
- Antarctica (Hurtigruten’s Young Explorers program, designed for kids aged 7 to 13, provides practical and theoretical information on climate change and how to battle it).
Making Time for Nature
If you love nature and you have kids and/or stepkids, make sure to read up a little on Richard Louv, author of the best-selling book, Last Child in the Woods. Louv argues that because kids spend around 90% of their time indoors, they have lost the crucial relationship that older generations had with nature.
“The woods were my Ritalin. Nature calmed me, focused me, and yet excited my senses,” he says. Even if you do visit a major city like Barcelona (which, incidentally, has gorgeous museums, architecture, and gourmet establishments), make sure to visit the most beautiful local natural spots.
For a blend of greenery and artistry, we recommend Güell Park in Barcelona – an absolutely surreal, fantasy-like park that blends dreamlike structures, colorful tilework on gigantic iguanas and other sculptures, and of course, enough greenery to keep kids calm after a hectic day of sightseeing.
Destinations
Deciding from the outset which type of holiday you prefer (adventure, beach, city break etc.) is important so that everyone knows what to expect.
To make your decision, why not involve your stepkids? They may have brilliant ideas you hadn’t considered before, so discover all they have to say.
Nearly everyone loves to travel, but while some do so as free as the wind, there are a few with hearts saying yes and brains are saying slow down. This can be because of inexperience, past events or just your personality and knowing what you’re comfortable with.
For whatever reason, you may be extra cautious traveling places drastically different from your familiar surroundings. You can relax a little bit more with these travel tips meant just for you.
Featured image by Valentin Antonucci from Pexels
