How To Get Your Rugrat Kids to Appreciate the Luxury of HOME

There's nothing like living out of a suitcase to teach the virtues of "home."

My 15-year old son boarded an American Airlines flight late Sunday night and eventually landed in Paris, France. I sent him on a 12-day tour of France so he can practice all that French that he pretends to know how to speak.

In spite of all the closet crying I did, I'm happy he's officially a world traveler.

At the ripe old age of 16, I did a 28-day tour of 7 European countries, courtesy of my awesome parents.

At the riper old age of 17, I did another 10-day tour of France and Spain.

I'll never forget what those trips did for my understanding that the world is bigger than my neighborhood, my city, and the United States.

Unfortunate children will not have the chance to explore outside their neighborhoods.

More fortunate children will have the option to travel out of the state.

And the blessed children will have options that include a chance to travel the world.

It doesn't bother me one bit that my son is the only brown face on the France tour. Throughout my life, I was often the only Black person participating in opportunities that my amazing parents secured for me. Through that, I developed a love for all people... not just the familiar faces in my family/school/neighborhood.

After 2 days of touring like some kinda International Negro, my son had this text message exchange with me:

"Mom, what's my [ATM] PIN number?"

"####"

"Thanks"

"I hope you're having fun, sweetie."

"I'm a little homesick."

I must admit that my heart exploded in a smile to see him realize that the love of home is more valuable than the thrill of traveling to a foreign country while changing hotels and living out of a suitcase.

I'll help him make good on that comment when I send him to clean the hall bathroom with a toothbrush upon his return to the United States.

Comments

[GC]

that is a brilliant idea
I should suggest that to my Mom for my younger bro

[rawdawgbuffalo]

lol
i take my seeds to africa, they see little kids in streets and see how we live and it workds wonders

[Hawa]

@GC: LOL

@Raw Dawg: I never visited Africa. Mostly lack of opportunity, but in some part (based on potential future opportunity), not really knowing how to go about it (safety, etc.)

[Buck]

That is so great. I hope when my son is old enough, I'm in a place to do the same for him.

[blujewel]

Lil D will certainly benefit from the experience and he'll be able to use the tools he's learned from you to make it independently for the duration of his trip. It's good to let our children (whenever possible) to explore the world, other cultures, and learn a myriad of social skills through interaction.

I've had lil lady on the road since she was 5 days old and it's made for many a memory. She's also been exposed to other cultures and social mores both within and outside of the US.

We need to acclimate our children to be more worldly. If we can't take them to the country, take them to the library, surf the internet, and take them to restaurants they're unfamiliar with. There are so many ways we can prevent ourselves from being limited.

Love!

[Hawa]

@Brotha Buck: I am sure you'll make a way. It's amazing what a parent can make happen when opportunity comes. :-)

@Blu Jewel: Some people complained that Obama once lived outside the U.S. I say that makes him better qualified. Worldly is good. It keeps people from saying dumb things like "The U.S. is the best country in the world" without having actually experienced other countries.

Lil D called this A.M. with the question of the year: "Can you check my account and see how much money I have left?" HA! I knew that was coming. LOL