Traveling with Kids: Making Memories with Your Babes and Tots!
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Traveling with children is no small feat. Now imagine traveling with an infant and then a toddler. Thoughts of crying on a plane, disturbing other passengers, running off, and screaming tantrums may cause anxiety in the most experienced of parents. The thought of the planning and execution of a successful family trip can be daunting and down-right intimidating! However, if you plan right, stay organized and lean on the positives, these trips can be a pure joy for the whole family. In the first two years of Theo’s life we endeavored to travel as much as possible and I am here to share our experiences, the ups and downs and the joy of travel with our son as an infant and then toddler. Hopefully you can take from our experiences when planning your family trip.
Preparing for the Trip
Choosing the Right Destination For Your Family
I am, by no means, an expert in parenting as I am a new mom, but I go with my gut and discuss with my partner on everything related to our son, including where travel. I believe we should introduce our families to other cultures and places to help them become more empathetic adults. Many people plan trips with their kids to places considered “family friendly” or “for families”, and those trips are fun and I encourage that always, but we should also travel to enrich ourselves, and our children, through exploration at any age. Because some of those locations aren’t easy or convenient for little-ones, the logistics of travel can be difficult (long flights, cramped train cars, or lots of walking), so there is something to be said about removing certain obstacles when traveling with your kids.
So when you’re choosing a location, consider these key details to help you plan: transportation and accommodations.
Transportation
Your method of travel is one of the most important aspects of your trip. How you get from A to B, and how quickly, can make or break your child’s behavior, your patience and your family’s ability to enjoy the moment. Want to visit 9 countries in 2 weeks and traveling with an infant (that was us)? Your choice on how to get to each country will have distinctly different results. Depending on your trip, here are the types of transportation and its “little one-friendly” rating:
Plane - Planes are essential for international travel. They are the fastest means to get to far reaching destinations. Flying can be expensive if you’re traveling in a larger group, but deals can be found using and points. Check out our partner guide on miles and points here. Long flights are potentially difficult for infants and toddlers, with changing air pressure, little distractions and available movement, and disrupted nap schedules. It can be manageable with prepped bottles, your child’s favorite toys, plenty of snacks, and above all patience and grace. Utilize resources available such as the TSA Cares program for assisted security screening and updated airport information before you head to the airport.
Little One Friendly: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Train - I get nostalgic of the past when I get on a train. I love commuting via train and the hop on/hop off ease gets you all over town easily. However, when traveling with kids and luggage, as my dad would say, “You pack it, you carry it!” That can be difficult when you’re carrying your toddler or baby too. Trains can also take longer to get to your destination, depending on availability. Europe has made train travel a major mode of transportation, with many rail lines and reasonable fares. If you’re traveling light, you can find a great deal traveling via rail with maximum flexibility.
Little One Friendly: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cruise Ship - Cruise ships offer the maximum convenience to the most travelers with multiple restaurants, bars, activities, and entertainment all in one place. Many cruise lines offer a variety of itineraries, giving you a taste of each location. When traveling with a little one, you can unpack once and only take what you need when you leave the ship. Cruises offer many restaurant choices that each member of your group can satisfy their individual likes. However, most cruise itineraries only give you a taste of each location so you don’t get much time to really discover the locale. Additionally, cruise terminals tend to be outside most major areas, so you have to commute into the main touring area. Excursions can also be expensive, but the convenience and guaranteed return to the ship on time can provide good value, depending on how you like to travel. We took our one year old on a 9 country Mediterranean cruise and we could not have done that trip any other way. Being able to unpack once, go on adventures, and return back to our “little home” was wonderful and convenient. We had the best of both worlds - the experience and the convenience!
Little One Friendly: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Car - Having your own wheels allows for flexibility and spontenaety. In some cases it can be cheaper than other forms of transportation, depending on the lcoation and current costs of gasoline, taxis/rideshare, and parking. Internationally, some locations are not served by mass transit, and a car is absolutely necessary. When traveling overseas and in need of a rental, consider the cost of one way rentals, carseats and/or booster seats, and gasoline. Also remember that motoring laws may be different depending on where you are, and whether you need an international drivers license. Driving in major cities also poses a challenge with limited parking and congestion taxes. At home having a car is essential and makes traveling with our little one (and all his stuff) a breeze, but this may not be the case abroad so keep that in mind when making your travel plans.
Little One Friendly: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bus - I have a love/hate relationship with buses. It used to be that buses provided the cheapest and most direct form of travel between two places. Often, buses had more availability, more frequent offerings, at a more than reasonable cost. In our travels throughout Asia, buses gave us flexibility in our itineraries that no other form of transportation could provide. Now that I’m traveling with a little one in mind, buses just don’t fit the bill anymore. Similar to trains, traveling with a little one and luggage makes traveling via bus a difficult and uncomfortable. If you’re utilizing buses for day trips and excursions, pack light or ask the driver if you can utilize the underneath storage.
Little One Friendly: ⭐️⭐️
Accommodations
Imagine you get to your hotel, everyone is hungry, you realize you’re out of diapers, and your toddler is in a tantrum. Your nerves are shot and everyone is looking to you for answers. Been there, done that and all you want to do is set down your suitcase and relax. Where you stay during your trip can alleviate some of these issues, so it is vital to seek out accommodations that include amenities and conveniences that will serve as your home away from home. Depending on your travel style, whether you prefer all-inclusives, boutique hotels, or home rentals, you can find what you need almost anywhere. If you’re staying in a large city that is easy to navigate with convenient shops and markets around, consider a home rental with laundry, kitchen, cribs (if needed) and multiple rooms to accommodate your group. If you’re further out of town, on a unique tour (like a safari), or in a place you’re not comfortable navigating on your own, consider an all-inclusive or resort style accommodation that provides services and conveniences you may need. Traveling with our little one we tend to lean toward home rentals or brand name hotels that offer restaurants (with free breakfast!), convenience shops and laundry, just in case. Also consider how close you are to the attractions and what type of transportation you will need to come and go.
Planning the Itinerary
Now that you’ve settled on your destination and accommodations, what are you going to do while you’re there? What do you like to do when you travel? You’re not gonna travel around the world just to sit in a hotel are you? Of course not, and neither is your child. There are many different travel styles when it comes to booking activities, tours, and packing the schedule or not, but it all depends on your travel style and your child’s temperament and stamina. Young kids are enthusiastic and fun, but may not be able to do an all day tour of multiple sights, many days in a row. It’s vital to keep your itinerary scheduled around your normal routines, with flexibility built in. Also remember, its your trip too, so balance adult-centered activities with child-friendly breaks like going to the park, plenty of snacks, and rest.
Packing Essentials
Preparation is key to success when traveling with babies and tots. Having your essentials at hand wherever you are will help manage the chaos and keep the peace. We learned many lessons on our first few flights with Theo; what we thought we needed (and didn’t) and what we wish we had (and later bought). These are all items we have and use when traveling with our little one. Here is our top list of must have items for traveling with an infant:
As our son has grown, we have adjusted this list to include some age specific items that provide us peace of mind and independence for him. Here are our must haves for traveling with a toddler:
During the Trip
Travel Day Tips
Travel days can be especially stressful, as you’re trying to stay on schedule and managing yourself and the kiddos. Here are strategies you can employ to minimize complications, diffuse your stress, and stay on schedule:
Make sure all bags are packed and ready the night before departure. Pack a bag for key items that you know you may need handy
Book any airport transportation in advance. Rideshare and taxis can be booked in advance on their application. Try uber or lyft advance scheduling to be ready when you need to depart.
Pack plenty of snacks! Make sure everyone in your part is fed at all times! I know it sounds crazy but hanger is real. Keeping everyone satiated will keep the chaos at bay (for a while at least).
Make sure all electronics have been charged. The last thing you need on a travel day is to have a low battery on your phone or tablet. Our just in case solution is to give our little one an option to watch his favorite tv show (Bluey of course) if needed.
Download you and your child’s favorite media. Don’t count on the onboard wifi to work, so make sure you have all of the tv shows and movies needed for the length of your flight or drive, if needed. Sometimes you have to use the tablet or phone to keep everyone calm.
Have a paper copy of all of your travel documents. I know this seems antiquated, but sometimes things go wrong, apps don’t work, or there’s no wifi or internet, and having a paper copy of your travel documents may come in handy.
Plan frequent breaks. If you’re on a road trip, make sure to factor needed snack or restroom breaks. If you’re hitting an area with limited facilities, take that into account when planning your route.
We have a spirited child so we are constantly on the move, transitioning from one activity to another. So traveling is difficult with our growing toddler. Even with all of the preparation possible, meltdowns still happen. How you handle the situation and yourself are key to successfully moving forward. Here are some strategies to mange the chaos when en route to your destianation:
Stay Calm. If you respond with loud angry outbursts, your child might imitate your behavior. Keep your cool, utilize different strategies to manage any tantrum.
Distract and entertain. If you see a tantrum or meltdown coming, pull out a toy. Utilize small picture books to show different objects to engage with your little one.
Give a snack. A child’s threshold for frustration is likely lower when either tired or hungry.
Give your child a choice. Avoid saying “no” to everything. Give your child a choice between things that you approve of to give your child a sense of control.
Praise good behavior. Offering extra attention when your little one is behaving well helps to minimize meltdowns. Give them positive reinforcement when following directions.
Sightseeing with Babies and Toddlers
Sightseeing locations with an infant or toddler are never the same, no matter where you go. You may walk into a museum or attraction that has beautiful and clean facilities to change your baby’s diaper, with everything you need as a new mom (Disney). Or you may find yourself changing your diaper in a park under a tree because there is no where else. What you have to consider is that you pack for all contingencies so that you’re ready to do what is needed while you’re out and about. Here are my top recommendations for successfully touring with little ones.
Pack your diaper bag with essentials including a changing pad, wet bag, extra set of clothes and small toys.
Use premixed bottles and extra water/formula. Check out our recommended bottles here.
Use a comfortable baby carrier that can be worn on the front or back and has a sunshield for protection and head control. Check out our recommended carrier here.
Verify that your tour is stroller friendly. Not all tours make sense for strollers. You may have to carry your little one with you. If you’re touring with a toddler this type of tour may not make sense if they can’t walk far or be carried.
Schedule your tours and meals around your child’s schedule. Build in nap and snack breaks to prevent any tantrums or meltdowns. Consider mixing in kid-friendly activities that also engage the adults.
Don’t try to do too much. All day sightseeing can put too much pressure on your child and you. Consider one tour during the part of the day your child is at his best.
As we’ve traveled with Theo, not every day or every tour was a success. I remember walking at the back of the tour group through the Vatican because Theo was having a rough morning. On the other hand, spending a hour in the kid’s room followed by a well needed nap onboard the ship made heading out for dinner a calm experience. Sometimes you can’t control how your child will react in any given moment, but you can do as much preparation as possible to minimize the stress of any situation.
Making the Most of Your Travel
I love documenting our travels through photos and video. Instead of souvenirs, I get to keep these as mementos of every new place we visited and our favorites on repeat. Looking back, I see my son at so many stages of his life, and with a practically endless cloud of storage I don’t mind taking that extra snap or video. After you come home take a look at those mementos; memories captured in time that you can play on repeat. They are more valuable than any trinket from a sundries shop.
Travel, the spirit of adventure, the desire to explore…these are all things we wish to share with our children. I live for the light in my child’s eyes when he sees something new and exciting. His discovery is my renewal, and I take so much joy in every moment. We encourage him to try new foods, experience new things, and interact with the people we meet. People ask me all the time why I take my little one on these trips, saying that “He won’t remember it.” Here’s the thing, it’s not just his childhood, but also my motherhood. As parents we remember these moments and it is for this reason that we (my husband and I) travel. We encourage you to embrace the adventure, challenges and all.
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