Jaime Hamilton is a communications professor who focuses on human behavior and typically uses her TikTok account (@the.communication.expert) to discuss all things bullying. But recently, she took the time to talk about what she does as a parent to help her children create core memories. “I’m taking my kids to an event called Travel 16,” she explained.
Hamilton admits it’s not she She got the idea from a former student and current friend. “The 16-year-old trip… is a trip where they can go anywhere in the world for 10 days and I’ll take them.”
Sounds great! Any questions? Perhaps, this will make the trip an educational one rather than just a planned vacation. Hamilton told the audience that there were actually two caveats.
“First, they have to start saving from age 14, and they have to real Save money at 14,” she said. “Second, if they don’t know the language, they have to learn it.”
That’s why, she explains, her son, who is almost 16, has been learning Japanese for the past two years and saving the money he earns from working nearby.
“I think it’s a good idea to share the world with my children,” she concluded. “I’m a world traveler: I’ve been to over 27 different countries, and I miss traveling. If I could find any excuse to travel with my kids, I would.
As of press time, the video has nearly 30,000 likes, with most of the hundreds of commenters thinking it’s a cute idea, some coming from personal experience.
“My dad did this for me when I was 16,” mother-daughter account @trishaandcharlotte replied. “He asked me to learn the language of the country I wanted to go to. He took out a loan and we made the trip. He died at 61 and we talked about that trip our whole lives.
“My grandma made this for all her grandchildren when we were 11,” @eringrier1 agreed. “The best way to spend a legacy while we can create memories together.”
Of course, many are quick to emphasize that even and After years of saving, international travel remains out of reach for many.
“I have twins,” @kraftykitten41 said before joking. “*Insert ‘I’ll never recover financially’ meme here.*”
“We are too poor for this,” @bewellnic simply wrote, a sentiment echoed by many commenters.
But more people still express a desire to do the same for their own children, and even plan to do the same for their own children, from those who are excited to travel for their children’s high school graduation to those who have made a habit of planning birthday trips instead of birthdays A party person.
Travel, especially international travel, is a luxury and privilege, but one well worth saving for. Because while travel certainly comes with a price, you can’t put a price on the memories you share with your kids once the trip is over.
