Some family traditions are planned.
Others grow quietly into something sacred.
Our annual family tradition of visiting the Netherlands began ten years ago in 2016. At the time, it was simply a trip for me to meet my husband’s maternal side of the family. But what started as an introduction slowly became one of the most meaningful anchors in our lives.
At the heart of this tradition is my husband’s grandmother. She holds a deeply special place in our family. Every year, our intention remains the same: to spend time with her, to sit in her presence, to let our children experience the warmth of their heritage firsthand.
How It All Began
In 2016, my husband and I traveled to the Netherlands using public transport. It felt simple and new. By the following year, we owned a car and began making the journey as a road trip.
The drive takes around eight hours without breaks. We usually stop at a Halal restaurant along the way for dinner before continuing the journey. That stop has quietly become part of the tradition too.
What began as a couple’s trip soon transformed into something much bigger.
Continuing the Tradition After Children
When our daughter was born, the Netherlands became the first country she visited. The same was true for our son.
We did not pause the tradition when we became parents. We brought our children into it.
Now, ten years later, our daughter actively asks when the next Netherlands trip is happening. It is no longer just our tradition. It belongs to them too.
This is what heritage travel does. It plants identity early.
More Than Just Visiting Family
While the main purpose is always family, we also use the trip to explore the Netherlands together.
Over the years, we have explored major cities, small towns, canals, parks, and cultural landmarks. My husband has taken me and the kids to places he used to visit as a child. Watching him share his memories with our children has been one of the most powerful bonding experiences.
Our visits usually last between seven and ten days. Long enough to settle. Long enough to feel connected. Long enough for our children to absorb stories, accents, traditions, and belonging.
Why Annual Heritage Travel Matters
In mindful parenting, repetition builds security.
Returning to the same place every year gives children:
- A sense of rooted identity
- Familiar faces across generations
- Emotional continuity
- Cultural understanding beyond textbooks
- Pride in their lineage
When children revisit a place regularly, it stops feeling foreign. It becomes part of who they are.
Our upcoming summer Netherlands trip is already the highlight of the year for our kids. The excitement, the countdown, the packing conversations all show how deeply this tradition has shaped them.
Family traditions are not about luxury.
They are about consistency.
And consistency builds belonging.
