As a Chinese-Canadian parent, I aim to instill in my children a deep appreciation for their heritage and culture. I believe one of the best ways to achieve this is by traveling with grandparents, who can impart valuable lessons about our Chinese roots.

 

Through these experiences, I'm confident my kids will come to love their heritage and gain deeper insights into it. Family travel offers a special chance to delve into our cultural origins while in the company of familiar faces we trust; this blend of fun and knowledge makes learning enjoyable and enriching!

 

By using extended family members in China or Hong Kong, we can make sure our children learn not just from books, but from real-life experiences too.

 

I'm eager to tell my family about our trip to Asia when my daughter was 1.5 and 3 years old.

 

My Background

I'm Ruby. I was born in Hong Kong and moved to Canada at age 7. I speak Cantonese Chinese fluently, with intermediate reading and writing skills. My husband and I have two kids: one is 6 years old, and the other is 3. I have a website called Edkids Home meaning "Educating kids at home". 

 

Explore our site for 150+ free printables designed for kids. From bilingual Chinese learning tools to fun educational games, we've got something for every child. Our printables make life easier for busy families while helping kids learn Chinese effortlessly.

My Daughter's First Trip to Hong Kong

In 2017, my daughter, who was 1.5 years old at the time, visited Asia for the first time in Hong Kong. It was tiring for us due to jet lag and many dinner events, but she had a great time.

 

During our family trip to Hong Kong, we gathered at homes or restaurants with relatives and friends to enjoy different cuisines. She bonded with her great-grandmother, cousins, and other relatives during our 3-week stay.

 

Seeing so many warm and happy relatives was wonderful. My daughter received a lot of attention and is now comfortable around people. We borrowed a stroller but didn't use it much due to the many stairs and small restaurants. Instead, we carried her in a carrier the whole time.

 

Key point: Our initial visit to Hong Kong focused on introducing our daughter to her relatives and exploring the history of my hometown.

 

My Daughter's Second Trip to China

In 2018, my husband, 3-year-old daughter, and I traveled to Shanghai and Yangzhou in Asia with some of my husband's extended family. The group included his 97-year-old grandmother, aunts, and mother.

 

We went on a three-week vacation at the end of October, during the quieter season when there weren't many people around. The trip was very memorable as we all traveled together in a large group, taking turns pushing the stroller for my daughter and the wheelchair for my grandma-in-law.

 

Authentic Chinese Food

She had a lot of opportunities to try authentic food. The variety of food was incredible, with many dishes I had never even heard of before. The dumplings and buns were particularly delicious and authentic. We were lucky enough to receive an abundance of hairy crabs from family members in Shanghai while they were in season, and they were extremely fresh and tasted amazing.

 

Travel With Kids & Seniors – Relaxing Itinerary

When traveling with a group of seniors, it's best to plan a relaxed schedule that allows returning to the hotel by 6 pm and having takeout for dinner. This way, everyone can rest and enjoy the trip. This plan also suits our 3-year-old daughter well. It's a win-win situation! Great Bonds with Seniors

 

Before COVID, my aunts-in-law, mother-in-law, and grandmother-in-law visited Shanghai yearly. My grandma-in-law is from Yangzhou. My 6-year-old daughter vividly recalls the trips. Thanks to her close bond with her grand aunts, great-grandma, and grandma (weekly visits), they still chat about their travel memories.

 

 

Traveling with seniors is great. They offer a unique perspective on our destinations, making our trips more special. They also share hometown stories and experiences that can be passed down for generations.

 

Our second trip was less stressful because our child was older, and we received more help during the journey.

 

Related: 7 Amazing Benefits of Gramping (Grandparent-Grandchild Vacation)

 

Main Point: Our second trip involved traveling with our relatives (seniors) from Canada to China, providing us with many benefits, from extra assistance to gaining insights into Shanghai through their stories.

 

What Does Our Daughter Love the Most About the Asia Travels?

From what I've noticed, she loves going out. Every morning, she happily says “街街” (which means “going out”) and enjoys exploring the city with us. She finds everything interesting - from the bustling streets to the streetcars and traffic lights.

 

Unlike in Canada, people in Hong Kong usually walk to bus or train stations instead of driving.

 

Did the Travelling with Kids Have Any Impact on Chinese Learning?

The last time she visited Asia, she was 1.5 and 3 years old. She only spoke Cantonese back then. It's unclear if this influenced her Chinese language learning.

 

However, since she started school, she's been hearing more English, so I keep reminding her to speak Cantonese at home.

 

Still, I believe her trips to Asia really boosted her desire to learn Chinese and its culture, speeding up her progress.

 

In conclusion, it does have an impact, but it's more of a long-term effect on learning Chinese.

 

Travel with Kids: Tips/ Recommendations

Here are some tips/recommendations:

• Plan the Interinary with your kids when it comes to travelling so they know what to expect
• I would give her a notebook which has the printable activities, itinerary, packing list, calendar and journal for her to record
• Get over jet lag as soon as possible

 

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About our guest blogger

Ruby Lam was born in Hong Kong, and the creator of Edkids Home, mom of 2 beautiful kids and a wife to a fantastic husband. She finished the Grade 9 RCM (Royal Conservatory Music) Examination and hopes to use this skill set to guide her children's musical journey.  The author's first language is Cantonese, and loves going to the gym, hikes with the kids, yoga, skin and hair care, teaching her children, and socializing.

You can find her on Facebook: Edkidshome or at her website: https://www.edkidshome.com/