One of my favorite parts of travel coaching is watching families find new ways to connect through the planning process. I recently collaborated with Nikki Kinghorn Hatch of Raising Real World Kids on a blog exploring what happens when children are invited into the travel planning stage. Not just as passengers, but as participants.
Nikki brings such a thoughtful parenting lens to this topic, and our conversation turned into a beautiful reminder that planning itself can be one of the most meaningful parts of a trip. Below is a short excerpt of our co-written piece:
Excerpt from When Kids Help Plan the Trip: Growth, Connection & Real-World Skills
Letting kids participate in travel planning isn’t about handing over control of the itinerary. It’s about teaching them how to engage thoughtfully in shared decision-making.
From the parenting perspective, this builds the same skills we want for the “real world”: initiative, planning, self-efficacy, and reflection.
From a travel perspective, it deepens their engagement and connection. When kids have a hand in what happens — even in small ways — they’re more invested, cooperative, and curious about the journey itself.
You can read our full article, including ideas for how to make family travel more intentional and engaging, over on Nikki’s site:
👉 Read the full blog on Raising Real World Kids →