We Have Embarked on a Family Gap Year: Here Are Our Top Reasons Why
Greetings, fellow adventurers and explorers of the world! We are back with some exciting news to share. We’ve embarked on a family gap year adventure, and we can’t wait to take you along on this incredible journey. In this post, we’ll talk a bit about why we’ve chosen to embark on this epic quest.
We’ll unveil the top reasons behind our decision to take a break from our daily lives and explore the world as a family. From creating cherished memories to nurturing global citizens, each reason has played a pivotal role in our choice to embrace the unknown. So, without further ado, let’s delve into the motivations that have inspired us to set out on this remarkable adventure together.
Why did we decide to take a family gap year?
Taking a gap year as a family to travel the world is an incredible opportunity that offers a wealth of benefits for all members involved. Not only is it an opportunity to break away from the monotony of everyday life, but it’s also an opportunity to create lifelong memories and bond as a family in new and exciting ways.
We been inspired for our family gap year to travel with our kids for a long time. Both by other families we follow on social media as well as the book Vagabonding by Rolf Potts which we have talked about previously.
Here, we’ll dive into the top reasons why we made this life-changing decision and what it means for our family:
- Creating Lifelong Memories Together
One of the primary motivations behind our family gap year is the opportunity to create lasting memories. We believe that experiences are more valuable than possessions, and by traveling as a family, we’re building a treasure trove of shared adventures and stories that will bind us together for a lifetime.
Traveling is known to bring families closer together as they share experiences, create new memories and overcome challenges together. This can strengthen our family bonds and provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of one another. - Spending Quality Time with Our Kids Before They’re Teenagers
As parents, we know that the years when our children are young are precious and fleeting. Before they become teenagers with busy schedules and growing independence, we want to maximize our time together. A family gap year allows us to be present for these crucial formative years. - Living in the Present
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, always planning for the future. Taking a gap year as a family forces us to be in the present moment, savoring the beauty of the world around us and cherishing each other’s company without distractions. - A Break from Busy, Stressful Lives
Our daily lives can be demanding and sometimes overwhelming. The idea of a family gap year offers us a break from the routine, a chance to reset, and an opportunity to rejuvenate. We hope to return from this adventure with a refreshed perspective on life. Furthermore, we hope that taking a family gap year to travel as a family will have a positive impact on our mental and physical health. We will recharge in nature and get to be physically active everyday. - Exploring the World Together
We’ve always been passionate about exploring the world, and now we get to share that passion with our kids. Traveling together exposes us all to different cultures, languages, and landscapes, broadening our horizons and deepening our understanding of the world. - Educating Our Kids to Be World Citizens
Travel is one of the best educators. Through our adventures, we aim to instill in our children qualities such as robustness, confidence, curiosity, respect, and empathy. One of the biggest benefits of taking a family gap year to travel is the chance to experience different cultures and ways of life. This can broaden the perspective and understanding of the world for children, as well as for adults.
Traveling can also be an excellent opportunity to teach our children about the importance of respect, tolerance, and open-mindedness towards different cultures and beliefs. Experiencing diverse cultures and communities firsthand will help them grow into compassionate and caring global citizens. - To grow a deeper appreciation of everything at home
Traveling as a family leads to more reflection on what we have at home – our family, friends and house. We talk about what we are missing and what we look forward to when getting back.
Additionally, taking a gap year as a family can be a great way to step out of our comfort zones and challenge ourselves in new and exciting ways. From trying new foods to taking on adventure sports, traveling as a family can help us build confidence, resilience and problem-solving skills.
How will we travel?
We will mostly be backpacking and travel by public transportation like busses and ferries.
Where will we start our family gap year?
We started out with a couple of days in Bangkok and after that a month in Indonesia. Here’s a post on snorkeling with sea turtles in the Gili islands.
Now we are in Australia where we have started off learning about Aboriginal culture.
Final words
In conclusion, our family gap year is a journey filled with anticipation and excitement. We’re thrilled to be stepping out of our comfort zone, embracing the unknown, and forging unforgettable memories together. We’ll be documenting our adventures right here on We Are Planet Explorers, so be sure to follow along as we explore the world as a family.
Remember, the world is full of wonder, and it’s never too early (or too late) to start exploring it with your loved ones. We hope our journey inspires you to embark on your adventures, big or small, as a family.
Stay tuned for more updates from our family’s gap year adventure. Until then, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep making memories that will last a lifetime!
Here’s to hopes and dreams and stepping out of your comfort zone of everyday life!
