Think back to a time when you were a child. You may remember a few toys that won your childhood heart at the time, but the thing you probably remember most, are the trips you took together as a family. Spending time together as a family not only helps you bond more as a family but also helps your children focus more on experiences instead of things. Here is why you should spend money on vacations instead of toys.
Kids love taking trips
Your kids do love their toys, I cannot stress this enough. I’m not telling you to go into your kid’s playroom and throw away all their toys so you can go on vacation. However, your kids probably love taking trips with you more than you give them credit for. Spending time away from home is not only fun and relaxing for you, but for them as well. They are miles away from school and their childhood problems, and that can make the trip enjoyable right there.
Your children will cherish these trips
When your children are all grown up, they are not going to remember all the toys they had. If they had a few favorites growing up, they’ll remember those. Other than that, you’ll be hard pressed to find a child that can remember every toy they ever had. When your kids are older, they will cherish the trips you took together as a family. They’ll remember the laughs, the memories, and the fun long after you get back from your trip.
You get more time with your children
As busy parents, we rarely get to spend enough time with our kids. Once they’re in school, you end up getting less time with them than you used to. Before you know it, they’ll be off on their own and be visiting on holidays and birthdays. Don’t waste these years you have with them! Vacations will allow you to get more quality time with your children without the distractions of the world around you.
Your children learn to be less materialistic
When you put your focus on spending money on experiences instead of toys, your children will learn by your example. They’ll understand the value of what money can buy and how by buying fewer toys, they get to go to more fun places. Day trips can still be a fun and exciting adventure for them, but they’ll still value it just as highly in the long run. Teaching your kids to value experiences over toys can be better for them down the road. If you shower them in toys now, they may learn to be more materialistic over time and put a focus on things instead.
You can still buy them toys
Just because you put a focus on experiences instead of toys, doesn’t mean you will never buy toys again. Instead, you are telling your children that the toys they do have are the ones they truly love and are special. You can still buy your children toys, but the toys will no longer be the focus of gift-giving occasions.
You don’t have to completely forego toys for your children, but spending more money on vacations can really change the not only your family bond but your children as well.
