Traveling with children is POSSIBLE!

Traveling with children is POSSIBLE!

Traveling with children can be a daunting task. From the stares you get on the plane from travelers secretly (sometimes overtly) praying you do not sit next to them or within earshot; to the arduous task of packing the entire house, including the kitchen sink… this is a something that gives many parents high levels of anxiety.

As frightening as it seems, it is manageable and surely worth wild. Traveling opens our kids up to exploration, learning about new cultures and people, introduces them to new cuisines, landscapes, attractions and the art of budgeting and varying currencies. Traveling is a great classroom for adults, children alike.

As your child develops the stages of gear needed changes. The first perk of traveling with an infant is they, fly free! Many hotels, Airbnb’s, and car rental facilities have the necessities to help lessen the load for travel. You can rent car seats, cribs and strollers.
When I traveled with my daughter during her early years, I loved the “sit n stroll” stroller/car-seat duo. It is TSA approved, a reliable car seat and a decent stroller in one…it is basically a transformer.

There is also a new website similar to Airbnb but for families with children; this amazing site has locations all over the world that can accommodate your needs from a crib to books for your child. It is actually ingenious and promotes family vacations to more than the beach. www.kidandcoe.com

Traveling as a family can be challenging when trying to accommodate the needs of varying interests, ages and palates. It is best to research the location for fun, inexpensive activities to cater to most. There is nothing worse than spending top dollar for an attraction your toddler sleeps through after one hour. There are several museums and pop-ups, but I prefer to look for activities we all can enjoy. As the children mature, it is great for them to assist with the itinerary. Not only does this gives them some autonomy, but is an underhanded way of teaching them to research.

It may also be a good idea to travel with other families to share on childcare duties in exchange for date night/mommas night out. Not only will you have support, it will be good for the children to have others to play with. This could also be a good opportunity to bond with grandparents and create irreplaceable memories.

Personally, traveling feeds my soul. It is one of the best investments I have ever made and it reminds me that self-care comes in all forms. It is also the generational wealth I will pass on to my child. Traveling with my daughter was a gift that benefits us both. She has learned so much about people, customs, respect vs tolerance and an appreciation for her blessings. I receive pure joy in exposing her to new places and all the wealth that comes along with that experience.