- I will take my niece and nephew on a trip abroad when they turn 12.
- I took my niece to London and Paris last year and will soon be taking my older nephew to Germany.
- I love spending time with them and consider it a lesson in culture and travel.
The first time I spoke French in front of my 12-year-old niece, she was shocked. She had never even heard me speak a foreign language, but I was there, ordering some croissants and bread from a storefront in Paris.
“Who are you?? What did you do with my aunt??” she wanted to know. We laughed about it, walked out with croissants, bought her a new dress at a side street boutique, and a beret at a stall along the Seine.
It was my niece's first trip abroad. We had left London the day before and of course, after seeing all the sights including Big Ben, the London Eye and two local cat cafes, we took the train to France and were having a great time.
I love taking my nieces and nephews on trips.
It's a perk for the kids in my family. When they turn 12, Aunt Jen takes them on a week-long international vacation. Originally, we had planned the trip as a double-digit celebration when each of us turned her 10th. However, my niece turned 10 the day the pandemic started, so the schedule changed.
In August 2023 my niece and I went to London and Paris. This July, my nephew and I will go to Germany. I don't know yet where me and my other nephew are going, but he's only 3 so there's still time to make plans. (To save money, of course.) In the end, each child decides where to go, spending several days researching what's there and what they want to see. Basically they lead the sightseeing part of each trip.
Both trips were partially funded by the sale of an old home. I was able to put away his $5,000 for each of their trips. I will pay for the flights, hotels, transportation, and meals, and it will be their responsibility to save money to buy the souvenirs they want.
I think this is a life lesson for them. Since they have to pay for souvenirs, they have become more knowledgeable about how to budget for additional items. Additionally, I am learning about international travel, customs, and etiquette. I also learned a little bit about international travel and why we are in this situation right now and how I can prepare myself to be safe and avoid speeding and setbacks as I travel a lot. Learn.
These trips are different from vacations you take with your parents.
She takes the role of a fun old lady very seriously. When I travel, I have the responsibility of caring for my children, but I try not to let it become routine. Want to watch YouTube for 3 hours before bed? For sure! What about dessert for lunch? no problem. Do you want to go to a cafe three times a day? Grab your bag and let's go. In fact, she asked if my niece could have a chocolate croissant for breakfast, which caused her to push back on me. And I said yes. “But it's chocolate…wait, why do I insist on what I want?” she said.
Shop, hang out, walk to the park, eat junk food. I'm curious to see how it's different for my oldest nephew. Although he and his sister are similar in many ways, they are still very different children. I think we'll find a VR gaming spot and eat a lot of schnitzel. But one thing is for sure: he has a lot of stories to tell for us. I don't speak any German, but he has been using his Duolingo for years to prepare. We are going to Munich and a lot of people speak English there, but I'm glad he's learning it and will overcome any language barriers.
I can't have children of my own, so I want to spoil my nieces and nephews.
I was frustratingly infertile, and after years of trying, I had come to accept that I would probably never have a child of my own without adoption. In that sense, when I take my children on a trip, I feel a little lighter. You can spoil them just like you would spoil your own children. And, of course, you have time to play parent for a week while also being a great aunt.
What's more, this week is a magical time to bond with each of them, which is priceless. I want them to know that they can talk to me about anything, including questions about the world at large. It will increase trust and interest on both sides. And when they grow up, maybe they'll take me somewhere!
