Let them be kids

When we planned this adventure, we intentionally picked 2025 as the year to go, based on how old the kids would be (11 and 8). We talked about delaying by a year; I was concerned that Theo would be too young to remember, appreciate and keep up. But we knew that if we waited too long, Ella would be too old, and too into her social life and activities. Taking her out of school in Grade 6 would also be better than Grade 7. In the end, I think we made the right call. Theo has surprised us immensely. He can keep up with our walking (we are a family of fast walkers, we’ve discovered recently) in both pace and stamina. Ella was sad to leave her friends and complained a lot about leaving as the trip drew near, but she has done really well since we got here, and has completely embraced the experience. She is open to trying new food, appreciates how unique this opportunity is and realizes that five months is going to go by fast. Plus she has been able to keep in touch with her friends through Messenger Kids.

Let me be honest… it’s not always a walk in the park. The kids didn’t hold back when it came to writing about the megaliths, a UNESCO world heritage site in Carnac, in their journals. They both called them boring. (To be honest, I probably would have called rows of massive rocks boring at that age also.)

At least they made an effort for the photos:

We get pushback and eyerolls and plenty of “Why do we have to do this?” But a lot of times, they discover that what we’re about to do is actually really fun. And maybe includes a delicious reward.

We are very conscious of the fact that they are still both kids and that means we need to offer them activities they need, like running around and playing. We have to say yes to letting them use their gross motor skills in creative ways, like jumping, climbing and swinging, even if the things they are doing it on weren’t designed for that. In Paris, there were lots of options.

In other places, they have to be more creative, even if it means getting muddy and taking risks.

Le Bono:

St-Malo:

Auray:

Bordeaux:

And sometimes, at 8 o’clock at night, Ella will say she still has energy to burn, and we find a playground.