My husband and I (this is Rebecca) always enjoyed traveling, mostly within the United States. We lived at least a 5 hour plane ride from our families for most of our 13 years of marriage. I enjoy planning our trips and finding those fantastic deals. Then, we had our first child…
With family so far away, not traveling wasn’t an option. But really, how do you travel with kids? I am here to say, “Fear not! It is possible!(And maybe even, still enjoyable)” Is it the same? Nope, far from it! You remember sitting, bored, on an airplane flipping through Skymall? Well, that’s not in your future any more. Like the rest of life, having kids changes how you will travel, maybe even where you travel, but don’t let your fear hold you back – get out there!
When Parker was 2yrs and 6 months we packed up our entire household and shipped it to the West Coast. Then we loaded up our 5th wheel trailer and our truck with ourselves, our 2 dogs, and only what we needed to live for the next 3 months and headed West. We spent 1 month traveling from Michigan to California. By the time we did this Parker had taken many trips with us: 8 trips by plane, 6 road trips, 3 RV trips (camping), and even one sailing trip. He was a seasoned traveler.
At this point you might be thinking, “Wow, they must have an easy child.” You would be wrong. We have a normal child, just like everyone else. Trust me, we had our fair share of travel disasters such as the road trip where my MIL, myself, and Parker were all in tears by the time we reached our destination, or the lost pacifier at Disney World (why couldn’t my child have liked the brand you could buy at just any store?), there was the ER trip for the split forehead, Oh I could go on, but I think you get the point.
So, there will be future posts about specific types of travel with kids, but this one is just to getting you thinking about it and to encourage you to just do it! Hear are a few basics to get you started:
1. Think about your daily schedule at home. Does your kid sleep well in the car? Do they NEED their naps (aka are they a monster when they are missed)? Can they sleep in the same room as you? Are they mobile yet? Do they follow directions yet?
2. Work their needs into your itinerary. For example: Parker naps in his car seat, so we plan driving times during nap time, or flights during nap time (and we take his car seat on the plane). His car seat naps aren’t as good as in-bed naps, so we make sure to plan ‘down days’ (aka days that don’t have much planned) so he can get some quality naps in as well.
3. Plan around your family’s living style. If you co-sleep, make sure you get a room with a big enough bed. If you are like us and your child needs quiet seclusion to go to sleep, then get a 2 room suite, or rent a condo (often much cheaper than a hotel and you get a kitchen).
4. Plan ahead!!!! For example: If you have never taken your baby to a sit down restaurant, don’t get a hotel and plan on doing that for every meal. Try a few long car rides, or restaurants, or travel bassinet, or whatever it is first – before you go.
5. Pack wisely. Ok, I am the Queen of forgetting 1 crucial item per trip. Seriously, there was a string of trips I forgot our hairbrush. I think we own 10 now! You WILL forget things! It’s almost always ok. Most trips aren’t to some exotic or remote local where a replacement can not be had. The last trip we did required a trip to Target the first full day – I managed to forget PJ’s for our youngest – oops! Yet, you do not need to bring the kitchen sink! I pack one outfit per person, per day, plus a spare – if there is a disaster and we need more then we will find a laundry mat (it’s happened).
I was talking to a friend about her first trip with her little girl – she laughed as she recalled watching her husband make 4 trips from the car to the hotel room with all their stuff (including the bouncy seat, swing, and all) for a one night trip. Not necessary! Her daughter slept only in the swing during that time. Great! Then pack the swing, but not the pack n’ play, for example. Check what can be borrowed, rented, or acquired at your destination. For our sailing trip the charter company didn’t have toddler life vests so we brought ours. On the other hand, when we went to Orlando we learned about a company that delivers items to your door on rent (crib, toys, you name it). Sometimes when my parents drive to meet us at a destination that we have to fly to, I have my Mom borrow items from her friends and bring them (high chair,, or walker for example).
Ok, I think that’s enough food for thought. I’ll end with this: just like with life, kids makes traveling more challenging, but it also makes it more spectacular. I’ve seen the ecards that have made their rounds that say things about how a vacation is not a vacation for Mom. That is true, usually vacations are more work and stress for me than a normal day at home, but I wouldn’t trade it anyway. The wonder of new things through their eyes is amazing. The chance to get out of your daily routine and make lasting memories together is totally worth it! Some of my fondest memories are from ‘vacation’.