Traveling with Tots

Traveling with tots is not the easiest thing in the world to do, but in the end, it is well worth the effort. As a parent, we struggle with will my baby sleep, how to transport breastmilk, how I am going to get all of our stuff from the car to the plan, and many many other questions. The reality is, making the decision to explore the world with your toddler is the best decision you could ever make.

Traveling with a Child

Let me provide you with just a bit of background about my own experience traveling with a child.  I am not an expert. I am just a mom that has traveled overseas and throughout the United States numerous times with her now 18 month old son. 

I began traveling with my son as early as four months. My husband, son, and I lived in Italy (where my son was born), and we flew back to the US for the Christmas holiday.  On the return trip, totaling anywhere from 13-15 hours, I flew back to Italy with my son by myself. At seven months old, we traveled to Spain to meet up with a friend and his family; we rented a car and drove from city to city taking in the sights and culture.  At nine months old, my son and I flew back by ourselves to the States because our time in Italy was at an end. At ten months old, my son and I drove from Missouri to Alabama, a fourteen hour road trip, to meet up with my husband. Finally, at 12 months old, 15 months old, and 17 months old, my son and I made multiple trips by ourselves  to and from South Korea where my husband is currently stationed.

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Whew! Just writing all this out gave me a bit of anxiety and also made me wonder if we travel a bit too much. However, it also gave me a bit of satisfaction. This is not bragging; this is to say that if I can do it, you can do it.

Tip 2: Fly during nap or bedtime

It is understandable that internatioal flights are several hours, but if you are flying local for the first time trying flying during your childs nap time.

You can decide to purchase a set for your child or allow them to sit on your lap up to age two, but regardless it does make the flight easier if your child decide to take a nap. This means less time trying to keep them entertained and more time for you to relax from the anxiety of trying to get all of your stuff in and out of the airport.

Getting our children out of their comfort zones encourages them to seek out the world that they aren’t normally exposed to. This leads to better understanding of others, our environment, and our history.

Flying with Kids Tips

How do you survive it?  Patience, resources, and help.  Patience is a given. What you have to remember is that in all likelihood, you’re more stressed than your child.  After all, they’re with their momma/daddy/both parents, so they know they’re safe.

Remember to breathe, but most of all, remember that everyone will survive the time it takes to get to your destination.  If you’re in the car, it’s a bit easier because you’re the only one hearing your child cry. If you’re flying, you’re worried about everyone else getting upset at you and your child that doesn’t want to stop screaming. 

Let me tell you, in all my time flying long, long hours to my destination, I have only met one person that was not accommodating to my child. Many of the people traveling with you either have a child, know a child, or have noise-cancelling headphones.  Hopefully the flight will be smooth and tear-free. Otherwise, keep in mind that eventually you will land and everyone will just remember it as a slightly more eventful trip than what they’re used to. Or maybe not. After all, EVERY child cries. Even the most well-behaved and healthy ones. 

Travel Resources

Resources. Make sure you have plenty of snacks and activities. Snacks keep your little one’s hands busy and their bellies happy. These don’t have to be unhealthy; fruits and veggies are easy enough to prep into a little baggie and take with you.

As for activities, this doesn’t mean YOU have to entertain them all the time. Bring crayons and a coloring book, or even better, the markers that will only show up on specific paper.  Genius! Bring a car that they can “vroom” across the seat or Legos they can put together while sitting. Also, let them walk as much as possible.

My child loves to go down the aisle and give everyone, and I mean everyone, a fist bump. He even stops at the ones that are sleeping; granted, he doesn’t understand that quite yet. Travelers love it, and I like to think it breaks up some of the monotony of the trip for them as well. Finally, help.  Let others help you. Those that don’t want to, won’t ask. So if someone is asking if you need help, they understand! Don’t be afraid to accept.

Traveling with kids is more work, but I think once you do it the first time, you’ll realize you’re able to handle it a second, third, fourth time.  You’ll learn what works and what doesn’t work for you and your child. Traveling can present such an opportunity for your family that I would hate for everyone to miss out because of the fear of undertaking the planning, prep, and stress that is associated with it.  

So try it.  Let me know how it goes.  If it works, great! If it doesn’t, at least now you know.

What are your experiences with traveling with your child? What tips do you have for others who may be unaccustomed to traveling with children? What benefits have you found that travel at an early age brings to your children?  Please connect with us on Instagram @MapsCookingKids or on Twitter @MapsCookingKids. 

Until next time, agape, be kind, and happy parenting.