Adventurous Mama and Me of The Month

Yay! Meet our latest Adventuring Mama! She’s got a pretty awesome story to share.

Meet Emily

Hi, my name is Emily and I’ve currently living the adventure of a lifetime; travelling around Australia in a caravan with my husband and our two boys Ari (2yrs) and Leo (4yrs). We’ve been on the road for five months and we plan on continuing to travel for another year, maybe more. We spend most of our time camping by beaches or in national parks and we also do a lot of driving! A portion of our trip is funded through my husband working as a website developer. 

A Little History-

In 1986, when I was four, my parents took my sister and I traveling around Australia. I believe our family’s trip was an experience that instilled a sense of adventure and connection to nature in my personality. A childhood with travel and living in the outdoors had a huge positive impact on me and I wanted to give my kids the same opportunity. 

The Details-

We have noticed that since starting our trip our four-year-old has developed more resilience, confidence and an overall sense of well-being.  He is being forced to get used to being physically challenged, which like it or not is good for boys and their social connections later in life. I hope that we are preparing him to feel like he can do anything and that he belongs no matter where he is.

Countless parents have told us that they’ve also seen positive changes in their kids from traveling to Australia. One older couple said when they did a big camping trip with their daughter, at the start of the trip she was an introvert and by the end of it she was more open and extroverted. Another couple said that the trip has cured their daughter’s anxiety, at the start she wouldn’t leave the van and now she is happy anywhere. 

What is it that makes kids that travel come out of their shells?

I don’t have the answer, just an inkling that it’s a combination of lots of one on one time with parents, needed to adapt to an ever-changing environment, meeting other kids who are in the same boat, forming quick friendships out of necessity and most importantly being in nature. 

Children learn through the senses. By providing opportunities for children to engage with the natural environment we are establishing their connection to the world around them and how they move in it.

You certainly don’t have to pack up your house and live out of a caravan to instill positive memories and growth in your kids. All we need to do is go back to basics and return to what nature intended, free play outside and time together.  The key is to make sure that you are providing as many opportunities as possible and lots of variety. 

Trust me, your kids will thank you for their wild, messy childhoods and they may even take their own kids on lots of adventures too.

 

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About Emily
Emily and her husband run Websites From a Van, a website development business set up to help produce affordable travel blogs and custom website development. Her blog, Stories From A Van, shares truths about living in a caravan and traveling Australia with kids as well as tips from working on the road and juggling a digital nomad life.

Facebook – @websitesfromavan
Instagram – @websites_from_a_van
Website – https://websitesfromavan.com/blog/  

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Where is our next Adventurous mama and me?

Did you and your child or children-

go somewhere new and exciting?

Try new or unusual food? I just ate dried Crickets!

Jump out of an airplane?

Climb a mountain?

Get a cool pet?

Go snorkeling somewhere awesome?

Search for buried treasure?

The ideas are endless as long as it is adventurous and with your child or children. All you have to do is submit one article to my email address adventureabbygirl@gmail.com with your contact info and links if you have them. I will pick one story a month to feature on here and announce across social media. Please also submit pictures of videos to go along with video and social media as well. By doing so, you give me permission to post your story and share everything across social media. Thanks!

Peace-Love & French Fries

Get a PDF previous post-here-Meet, Alicia!