Dec 20 2009
Is It Possible to Travel with Kids?
I recently wrote a post about why we travel with our kids. That post came about in response to a conversation we’d had with friends about money and time put into family vacations. Money and time are definite factors when we decide when/where/how much to travel. The idea of traveling with our kids has never been a question.
Yesterday I mentioned something on twitter about being a travel-blogging mommy. The responses I received were interesting. Among them: Someone wondered how I could travel AND be a mommy. DeliciousBaby chimed in, saying, “My kids would be surprised to know that most people say it’s hard to travel with kids.”
I was shocked. Stunned. Surprised. Amazed. Perhaps naively, it never crossed my mind that we would stop going places and stay home just because we had kids. The notion that parenthood and travel could be mutually exclusive was never in my realm of possibility. Yes, the when, the where, the how of travel are all different when traveling with kids. Carseats and strollers and baby food take more space and planning than two adults jumping on a plane or in a taxi. Finding a hotel room for six is more challenging than using Priceline to book a room for two. Road trips are much more economical than six airline tickets in most cases.
But that’s just how parenting is. Cooking for kids is more challenging than cooking for a couple. Laundry grows exponentially with each child, it seems. Family gatherings are simpler (and infinitely more boring) without children in the picture. Getting through a church service with a young brood can try even the most patient parent’s temperament.
Still, we’d never think, “Well, I have kids now, so I’m going to stop cooking. Or doing laundry. Or going to family gatherings. Or attending church services,” would we? I wouldn’t. We have children, and they are part of the family. They do what the family does. Sure, there are times when there adults-only activities going on, and we have to decide whether to leave the kids at home, or to stay home with our kids.
But giving up on travel just because we have young kids? It never crossed my mind.
I’m immersed in an online world of traveling parents: DeliciousBaby, The Vacation Gals, Soultravelers3, Have Kid Will Travel, Travel Savvy Mom, and many others who are not only traveling with their kids, but writing about it as well. Perhaps that community has made me braver in continuing my travels, knowing that there are other people who also make traveling with children a big part of their lives.
Are you a traveling parent, or a parent who has discontinued travel since having kids? I’d love to hear how becoming a parent has changed (or hasn’t changed) your travels.
I think just like any behavior, you need to teach your children how to travel. If you start early, I think it makes it easier. My in-laws live about 4 hours away and we regularly visit. We started when my daughter was just a few weeks old and now at two she is good at traveling in the car.
You do have to be prepared and have lots of things to keep your kids occupied while you are traveling. When you have little ones you also have to be prepared with baby-proofing supplies. I always travel with outlet covers and cabinet locks.
This spring or summer we plan to start camping with our daughter.
Elizabeth´s last blog ..Occasions Mini Sneak Peek
I appreciate the post, thanks! I think it was nice of you to write that up after my tweet.
Anthony´s last blog ..Being Genuine and More On Asking Questions
Nice post, and a great topic. As I’m sure you know, I haven’t traveled less since I’ve had children – I’ve just traveled differently. As in the rest of my life, becoming a parent and has caused me to slow down and appreciate what’s in front of my nose. I’m no longer so achievement-oriented (at least not all the time). For me it’s truly become more about the journey than the destination.
Mara´s last blog ..MidAtlantic Wednesdays: Christmas at the Brandywine River Museum
Anthony,
Twitter often serves to get me thinking beyond my own world. The conversations are always interesting. I hope you’ll consider traveling w/ kids if that’s something you enjoy.
Linda
Elizabeth,
I agree that anything we do with kids is easier if we start young with them. And traveling with kids does take effort and preparation. We tried camping for the first time this year and have found that we really enjoy it as well.
Linda
Mara, you have a great point about appreciating all of the moments. I used to worry that I wasn’t “seeing it all.” Now it seems to be more of a matter of seeing all that’s in front of us, wherever we are.
Linda
My family and friends thought we were nuts for going away with our daughter. I’m happy to say they’ve softened a lot and no one even blinked when our 10.5-week-old son went with us on his first trip.
Mara is right, we travel differently. And we love how bringing the kids changes how we connect with the local culture.
Right now the only things holding us back from traveling more is money and vacation time.
Corinne @ Have Baby Will Travel´s last blog ..Packing Lists: What To Pack When Traveling With Babies And Toddlers
Corinne, sometimes we have to do things even if others think we’re crazy! You’re right–resources, such as money and time–need to balance with a family’s activities no matter what they are. We tend to take our “summer” vacations over Christmas break because that’s when my husband can get away.
Linda
I wonder if it was that some people were wondering how it is that you could take the time to blog/write about travel and be a mom at the same time? Kinda like the working and being a parent dilemma or opinions. Or maybe not…
I think I’m formulating my own argument about why I travel with my kid, can’t believe I haven’t posted anything about it yet.
Here’s some things I learned from my parents: You don’t need much to travel and travel is a natural part of our family. I know that not everyone sees it that way though.
Carolina´s last blog ..Photo Friday: Snowball Fight
Carolina, the comment made no mention of blogging, just traveling and being a mommy.
You make a good point though–travel is not for everyone. Other families prefer to do other things. But I hope that those who enjoyed traveling before they had kids will give it a try once they have children.
I look forward to reading your reasons for traveling with your child!
Linda
Thanks for posting this. I agree whole heartedly. Why would I not want to expose my child to all the wonderful things I have learned traveling? In addition to travel- my family is also into rock climbing, skiing, etc. Our now two year old went on his first rock climbing trip at age 6 months. Wouldn’t we want our kids to see us at our happiest? Enjoying what we love most. You are blessed with a great group travel moms and I appreciate you posting your thoughts so I don’t feel so alone when we pack up and go
Eleni – Surfing Mom SC´s last blog ..Life Happens
I’ve been traveling since I was 6 months old, so I thought nothing of introducing my daughter to airplanes at 2 months. It was easy then. Didn’t even have to pack much at all.
Of course, traveling became a little (or a lot) more complicated when she grew into a toddler. But, seeing the world with children was an enhancement.
Traveling with kids you have to slow down, and make time for play. And, we found, people are friendlier when you bring children.
I’d say traveling with the kids is more fun than just with adults.
Sandra Foyt´s last blog ..We’re Not Decorating for the Holidays This Year
I agree with all other comments that as a parent, we travel differently when we have kids. But it doesn’t mean that we will stop traveling. I actually think I travel more with my kids than when we were a couple.
I’m so glad to find so many family travel bloggers including your blog. It’s a great community to learn and share about family travel experience. Maybe people who makes comments haven’t seen as many blogs for family travel.
Amy @ The Q Family´s last blog ..Trekaroo KidsMobile Travel to San Diego
Thanks for the shout out for The Vacation Gals. We agree with the other traveling moms who have chimed in — *not* traveling was never, ever part of the equation!
Kara´s last blog ..Gal on the Go – Family Trip in Kapalua, Maui
I really wnat to travel more with my kids. They are both under 4. We are going to New Zealand next year so I can’t wait for that. It’s just all the stuff kids need and the car seats etc. that overwhelms me. Or maybe it is me placing the hassle on the experience and overcomplicating it!
Emily´s last blog ..Deliberate use of words?
Traveling with kids does take effort and preparation. We tried camping for the first time this year and have found that we really enjoy it as well. In their young age it is better to expose the children in traveling.