I Give Trips for My Children’s Birthday Gifts and You’ll Never Talk Me Out of It

Several years ago, my middle son, who was five at the time, was going through a rough time. He was feeling neglected as the middle child and was also quite anxious about some upcoming surgeries and treatments (he was born with a cleft and we were preparing for another round of surgeries and orthodontia). Life was hard for him.

The summer before his sixth birthday, I wanted to do something special — something to let him know how much we loved him and were rooting for him. So, I decided to whisk him away to the happiest place on earth: Disneyland.

I wanted to ensure my son felt completely loved and had my undivided attention. I wanted him to be in charge and the decision-maker, even if just for a few days. So, my husband and I decided it would be best if I left the family behind, and I took him on a mother-son birthday trip.

This getaway became one of my most cherished adventures, and I came home determined to provide similar opportunities for each of my children. In fact, I just returned home a few weeks ago from Florida, where I took my oldest son for his twelfth birthday.  These 1:1 trips with my children have completely changed the way I travel, and kids' gifts. Here are just a few reasons I give my kids trips over gifts:

You build a stronger relationship with your child.

I love solo trips with my children because there are no distractions, nobody steals the spotlight, and there are no fights among siblings. I can give that child 100 percent of my attention, as busy schedules and other responsibilities are set aside. We have more opportunities to talk, laugh, and connect, which is time that’s hard to find on a regular day at home.

You make your child feel like the center of attention.

I try hard to ensure my children know how much I love and care for them. But life is busy. In certain seasons, some children’s schedules are more demanding than others, making one child feel less than their sibling. On these trips, I make sure the birthday child makes many of our decisions. They get to choose where we eat, help create the itinerary, and can even purchase extra souvenirs to take home. It’s impossible to give each child 100 percent of my attention every minute of the day. But even just a few days in the spotlight can make all the difference.

Birthday planning is much less stressful.

Let me be clear: you don’t have to travel across the country for a child’s birthday trip! I’ve planned trips that are as simple as staying at a nearby cabin overnight. We did nothing but watch shows, open a few presents, play games, and just hang out — so simple yet memorable. I have actually found that these trips have made birthday planning so much less stressful. I give my children fewer and much smaller gifts to open on their actual birthday. We also don’t do big birthday parties if we go on a trip — saving time and money on venues, invites, party supplies, and more. I’d much rather plan an overnight getaway than a party with a bunch of loud 12-year-old boys any day.

Experiences last a lifetime.

Traveling provides life lessons you carry throughout your life. It can teach you how to problem solve, talk to strangers, and be patient. It can cause you to step out of your comfort zone, try something new, and fall in love with a whole new culture or community. I traveled a lot as a child and while I hold those memories close to my heart, the lessons I learned on some of my young adventures are used daily as an adult. I hope my children can say the same thing when they grow up.   

The memories are priceless.

I love birthdays — everyone deserves a chance to be celebrated. Not only will I always remember the trips with my children, but they will as well. I hope when I’m old and grey my children will say that I instilled in them a love of travel, that I helped them fall in love with the world. They knew with complete certainty that I loved them. The memories from our adventures are priceless.

I want to make every minute count with my children. I already struggle knowing my oldest is entering his teenage years. For me, birthday trips are not only something my children get excited about, but I do as well. It's a celebration that you’ll never talk me out of.