How to deal with Parents in order to travel throughout
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Seriously the toughest question I have recd till date. Its really difficult to deal with parents in order to convince them to build a life around travel. For normal holiday also some parents don’t allow and you want to convince them for life long traveling !! So what you guys are thinking?? Is it possible??
In western countries to some extent I can say- Yes, you need not have to worry about Parents because they don’t interfere in their children’s life. Not 100% true but still its not difficult to convince them. I have met so many people from different countries all over the World and the answer was more or less same. The percentage of People from western countries who have build their life around travel is more than us.
The reason behind is we always thought travel as just a holiday or visit to any outstation temple or to any relatives. We never thought to do it for lifetime. Moreover I will say we Indians are not allowed to think out of box. If someone will try then their parents will tell – NO, you cannot do this. Famous phrase- “What people will think”. This has ruined many lives. Also they will say-“Son it is against our Culture”. Seriously it’s so pathetic. They are talking about Indian Culture every time. Don’t know from where this culture came only to India. Sometimes I doubt its the culture that stopped many or its the fear of loosing.
I am from that kind of society where still guys are not allowed to ride two wheeler. Also even after studies at the end you either have to do of your own or else join family business. Still where parents want a boy. And travel only once a year. But I think I am really lucky with respect to all these. Now after completing my studies I joined a job , I have full freedom to ride a two wheeler. For traveling- I inherit this habit from my parents. Both my Mom and Dad loves to travel. They only have given me the first chance to go on a holiday with my friends 7 years ago. But at that time they wouldn’t have thought that I will take it so seriously. After that I become unstoppable till date. And now they are struggling to stop me. So based on mine own experience Indian parents will oppose to build a life around travel due to Societal concern, money, career, safety, marriage issue etc.. But I have my ways to tackle them and to let them know that this is what I want. It always works for me, may be it will also work for you:
1) Always inform them in advance (It should look like that you are seeking permission for it)
Whenever I plan my travel , I tell them only after everything is done in such a way that it looks like I am seeking permission and after saying “NO” for 3-4 times finally they say yes. Always this formula works for me. This is 100% tried and tested. This happens because parents also wants to see their child happy. But they want us to be safe when we travel. So you always have to show them that you are grown up, travel far, travel solo, travel every month.
2) Don’t tell everything to them
I say this to many people that parents are not required to know everything. Tell them only that what is necessary. If you will tell each and every minute details of your trip then sometimes it can pose a problem for you. I did this mistake once but my parents are very much supportive and didn’t told me anything. It may not happen with you. Also, if you will tell them everything they can be worried and if they are worried then you all know that what they can do.
Its ok for me not to tell them whenever I travel alone or I slept on street, I didn’t ate anything for the full day, tried drugs, drinks, smoke etc. That is the reason I never discuss my plan with my parents. As I don’t want to create last minute discrepancy and loose my confidence to do what I want to do.
3) Always be in Touch
Always call two times – Early morning and at night. If you will call two times a day then you can freely do what you want to do. Nobody will disturb you by calling again and again. I used to do the same previously and it really works. Just by making two calls a day you can travel freely. The main problem arises when you travel abroad. From the date I had started micro blogging my parents easily got to know that I am safe but still I do call them once a day.
You can easily disconnect from the outside world when you are traveling and also don’t want others to disturb you but still you should be in contact with your parents at least so that they should not be worried. And if you will do this then nobody can stop you from traveling.
4) Never ask money from them
The first principle of traveling – “Never ask money from anyone”. Always try to cover your traveling expense yourself. Not even from your parents. If they will finance your travel then they will try to control you. But if you want your freedom then you only have to manage your finances. So either keep your corporate Job, try to do freelancing, fix your work online etc.
Like I have a corporate job through which I manage my finances. My parents are always worried that how with such less money I am living alone and also travel. They know that I can sacrifice anything for traveling and I want to live the life on my own. But still they are really worried about it. Whenever I talk to my dad he will always ask me- Son anytime you want money just ask, don’t think twice. But for my traveling I have never did that.
So if you want to travel freely and also throughout you have to take care of all these mentioned above. If you will do this then only you can do what you want to do. Success comes with some responsibility and if you will full filled those then you will fly throughout. I admit that parents are always against any unconventional idea of living or working but we just cannot leave them and do what we want to do. We have to try our best to make up their mind that we will be safe and what we are doing is correct and you will see one day or the other they will say:
“Go and live your life the way you want to.”
Please add on if I missed anything 🙂
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