What I learned about Family Travel for Real Life

 

I had the pleasure of attending the Dan from Points with a Crew).

The speakers at this conference were fabulous, and you should check them out:

• Dia – the driving force behind the FT4RL movement writes at The Deal Mommy
• Shawn – the extended family travel guru & roller coaster lover, writes at Miles to Memories
• Jason Steele – the points & miles expert, who has traveled with his 2 kids all over the world
• Susan – who loves to meet people when she travels and stays in some really cool places, writes at Carolina Travel Girl
• Phil – the master of earning an overabundance of miles & points and taking his family on some amazing trips, writes MilesAbound
• Debra – writes Traveling Well For Less and is an expert on making the most of your travel dollar and finding creative ways to save money

There were a few key points that I came away with, that are sticking in my mind. First and foremost (and this is not a direct quote as my memory isn’t that perfect) – Not only is family travel possible, it is necessary. I wholeheartedly agree with this statement, and it was nice to meet like-minded people. Our travels have brought more joy, family bonding, and hands-on learning (don’t tell my kids they have been learning things, please) than I ever anticipated. As others at the conference articulated better than I can, my kids are more open-minded to those who are in any way different than themselves because of the experiences that they have had. I believe that with each passing trip, this becomes more of who they essentially are, and I am proud of that.

Another thing that I took away, although not directly spoken about, was that it doesn’t matter where you are going or how you are getting there, but just that you are going. We all have different travel goals. Some of us want to visit all 50 US states, and some of us want to scuba dive in the Maldives. Experiences are subjective. No one can tell you what your travel dreams, goals, and aspirations should be. The point is that it can happen for all of us, if we put in the effort and we have the desire to make it happen.

Shawn made the point that there is a difference between Travel and Vacation, and that there is value in each. I feel the same way, and have tended to book our trips as either a “vacation”, which generally involves more relaxation or mindless fun, or as a trip. Not that a trip can’t involve fun (they don’t usually come with much relaxation though), but fun isn’t the driving factor in the planning. I think it’s important, especially for my kids, to alternate the types and styles of travel that we are doing. Hence, the reason I am simultaneously planning trips to Disney World, Aruba, Jamaica, and a 3 week National Parks road trip! Another thing I learned, or that was reinforced for me, was that people who travel tend to be very interesting people.

And finally, I learned that I have a ton of work to do in the Manufactured Spending area of this hobby. I have been traveling so much (and planning for said travels) that I have fallen behind. This conference was the kick in the butt I needed to start anew & my wheels are turning. If only there were more than 24 hours in each day.

Thanks to all who presented & to those who gave me some great tips as we were chatting after the conference. Thanks especially to Dia for planning the whole thing…..FT4RL part 2???

 

 

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