Ph
oto:
Je
r
r
yG
e
r
ling
Said yes to my kids
Shelley Schierman and
her husband Greg read to their five
boys from the time they were small.
And it sparked a deep curiosity in
their children about seeing the wider
world for themselves.
“We said ‘yes’ to our kids, and it
changed our lives forever,” she says.
Their adventures began when their
eldest was 16 and their youngest was
nearly six. The Schiermans, who live
on a cattle ranch just east of Innisfail,
bought the biggest world map they
could find. They laid it out on the
living room floor, and talked about
where everyone wanted to go.
The couple matched the money
their sons had saved from their 4H
steer projects and part-time jobs, and
used it to travel throughout Europe.
They’ll make their fifth family trip
this summer.
“The trip we planned so many
years ago has evolved into something
amazing,” says Schierman, whose
sons are now 27, 23, 21, 19 and 17.
“Our kids really reach for anything
they dream about, no matter how
unattainable it seems, and they find
Travel has broadened their
sons’ world view. “They are so
accepting. They have such a wide
variety of friends. They have an
interest in world politics and
the environment, and they are
very grateful.”
While supporting their sons
in following their dreams, the
Schiermans also encouraged them
to give back. Over the years, their
sons have volunteered for a wide
range of organizations, including
homeless shelters and the Alberta
Children’s Hospital.
Shelley Schierman
