Questions about traveling with grandkids

path1 wrote:
Grandparents looking for advice in todays world about grandkids. And I understand everybody is different.

Our kids have lots memories of camping with us when they were young, and they talk to their kids (our grandkids)about how much fun it was. Back then (we)as young parents, we camped because it was cheap. Our thoughts back then and probably like most parents today were to get our kids somewhere they could have fun and not cost much money. Load up kids, dogs, tent and ice chest in 1963 station wagon and go. We didn't worry about much. If we broke down, lucky for you...you'll get a chance to meet other people on the Greyhound bus going back home. As far as buying stuff, Didn't have the problems that kids have today. We usually got them post cards and ice cream cone. And they were happy, or atleast pretend your happy or walk.:)

OK now 45 years later, US (grandparents) planning a 3 week trip with grandkids ages 8-15.


---What age should kids have and carry ID if any? (we do have medical info).

---As far as buying stuff...when we take them on shorter trips closer to their home, it seems like they blast thru money like our back pocket is overloaded and never going to run dry. And that's OUR money and that's going to stop. But don't want to be a jerk about it. Here is what I have in mind.

Giving each one of them some money and getting a gift card. Minors can use plastic right? Half cash and half on plastic. When they blast through what they know they had, then that's it. They are out of money. OK, welcome to the real world, time to learn about budgets and make your buying decisions more thoughtfully.

What do you do?

Please tell me what you think. Too harsh? Just right?

Thanks

As a side note...older grandkids still talk about our "pioneer" trip. We did a one week trip. Grandkids picked black berries for pies and jam. Had to fry up their own fish they caught. Bought fruit from roadside fruit stands and canned corn and tomatoes along the way. Good thing our RV has two propane tanks, canning takes a lot of propane. Also I cooked few meals with Dutch oven with no charcoal, only twigs and small sticks. Lot harder to control heat, so I learned something also.

P.S. Not leaving country just states.

Been taking up to 3 younger family members camping and traveling for the last 10 years now; mostly for 2 - 3 week trips. Granddaughter who lives with us now will be 11 soon; a niece who just turned 16 and a grand nephew who is 8 y/o.

Interesting how different branches of my family teach money habits and usage to their young ones. The granddaughter saved $181.73 throughout the year so I added enough to make it an even $225.00 for her this vacation. Gave $50.00 to my niece in cash and a gift card just before this year's trip began her birthday was celebrated 2 weeks before the trip started) and she brought about $30.00 independently; grand nephew brought no money.

"Despite" the fact that we tent camped we visited 3 museums and one aquarium (I highly recommend the New Haven, CT, Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History as a fun learning experience for people of all ages. Found their local fauna and flora display relevant and the entrance price great on Thursday afternoons even though we visited on a Thurs morning); picked blueberries at a local PYO farm, spent 3 hours at a zip line adventure park, visited a local amusement park for a day and ate out a total of 9 times. How do I know how many times we ate out? Cuz we were talking in the car on the way back home and discussed what we like best and least about camping. DGD stated that she wished we'd eaten "take out" more frequently soooooo we counted how many times we did this trip and then figured out the average cost per person per meal and then discussed what else we could have done with that money. As my traveling kiddies know there are few questions that don't allow me to to use their school years' math and reading skills;).

The 2 older children have traveled with me in the past so I know they have passports. No idea about grand nephew who has only camped w/ me twice. When I have traveled out of country with the 2 older children I had full written authority to maintain their physical health.

As for your idea of giving children gift cards so they can budget their funds I see no problem with the idea and think it will help their growth.