Why Travel?

Go up

Everyone knows that travel with children is unpredictable, difficult, and definitely not at the same pace or with the same freedoms that pre-child travel afforded, so why do it at all?

  • Through our children’s eyes, we see the world in a new way. We had an entirely new appreciation of piazza life in Italy (and especially the running water and fountains) after spending a month there with our son when he was one year old.
  • You get to immerse yourself in the local culture. Travelling with children forces you to do as locals do… shop in the grocery stores, bakeries, and pharmacies, not just tourist shops.
  • Not only does travel with kids force you to go where the locals go, you get to connect with locals in a way that’s difficult to do as adults travelling alone. People love kids. They’ll go out of their way to connect with you and see you as people rather than just tourists. In Rome, we had a bakery we went to every day. Through our son, we got to know the people working there, talk to them, and enjoy some of the communal feeling Italy is famous for.
  • The kids love it, and getting out of your everyday routine is a great way for everyone to reconnect. Whenever we travel, we find that there’s a special brand of giggly, silly fun that happens after a long day of travel that we just don’t seem to have at home. Who knows why? Exhaustion maybe? What I do know is that I would endure any length of flight to experience that sense of happy delighted closeness with my kids.
  • The kids learn new things. For young kids it isn’t so much that they’ll learn world history as that they are exposed to new experiences, sights, sounds and smells. Could I find ways to teach my toddler about dolphins without taking him to San Diego or Hawaii? Of course… but it’s wonderful for him to experience the joy of watching a dolphin swim and jump in person. Does he absolutely need to know that traffic signals work differently in Vancouver than they do in Seattle? Of course not… but it’s great for him to see that there are different ways to do things.
  • For school age kids it’s much more engaging and fun to learn history by doing than by reading. Visiting Boston to learn about the American Revolution as a family is not only an engaging and educational trip, it’s a memory that they’ll keep coming back to as they piece together their formal education.

Comments

  1. chantal tessier

    March 10, 2008 at 4:58 p.m.

    Hi, This is a great site! Question for you is that I have a 2 year old and 4.5 year old and we are thinking of going to Malaga, Spain for 2 weeks in June (we live in Montreal Canada). Unfortunately we cannot go more then 2 weeks and I am worried that the jet lag (time difference is 5 hours) may be an issue to make the trip worthwhile by the time they get used to the new time zone...What do you think?

  2. Debbie

    March 10, 2008 at 9:14 p.m.

    Chantal,

    I'm glad you like the site! I think that two weeks is a fine amount of time (but I wouldn't spend much less than that) to get adjusted to the time change and be able to enjoy your destination. The fact that you're likely to spend much of your time outdoors and on the beach rather than trying to visit sites also makes the adjustment easier.

    I hope you have a great trip!

    Debbie

  3. Jennifer

    April 1, 2008 at 6:06 p.m.

    Hello, what a helpful site! My family wants to take a 12 day cruise to Europe. Our son will be 15 months old and we are worried about the time zone change and the day excursions ruining his nap / sleep schedule. He usually takes one 2 hour nap then later in afternoon 1 hour. he is not a great stroller sleeper. Any recommendations?

  4. Debbie

    April 1, 2008 at 10:47 p.m.

    Jennifer,

    The first few days in a new time zone can be difficult for everyone, but kids usually adjust fairly quickly. It helps to get them into the sunshine during the day (especially at dusk and dawn). Our experience has been that the kids learn to sleep comfortably in the stroller in the first few days of the trip, when they're still sleepy and getting used to the time change. We bring along a blanket that covers the front of the stroller and clip it on once our son is asleep to keep out the light and any wind. We also bring along his blanket when we expect him to sleep in the stroller.

    Our daughter still (at 18 months) sleeps comfortably in the Ergo baby carrier, and I love the little hood that supports her head and keeps the wind off. Of course, having her attached to my body means that I can't shop for clothes while she's napping, but it's perfect for long meals and museums.

    For more tips about dealing with Jet Lag, view this article: http://www.deliciousbaby.com/travel/f...

    For more tips on naptime and bedtime on your vacation, view this article: http://www.deliciousbaby.com/travel/f...

    I hope this helps.
    Debbie

  5. Kimberly

    June 27, 2008 at 12:26 p.m.

    I absolutely love your website! I lived in Barcelona for my junior year in college and your suggestions for Barcelona are right on the money! My husband and I are taking our 2 1/2 year old daughter to Barcelona in September. (for about a week) We were planning on taking her without a stroller or anything but after reading this website, I am not sure if she can deal with that. What do you recommend?

  6. Debbie

    June 27, 2008 at 12:30 p.m.

    I'm glad you like the site!

    Some parents forgo the stroller (why haul it up and down stairs), but I personally like to bring one because it lets us keep going even when the kids need to sleep. If you are comfortable carrying your daughter in a sling or backpack for extended periods of time, that can work well too & doesn't get in the way as much as a stroller does.

    Have a wonderful time in Barcelona

    Debbie

Leave a comment

Ask a question, add a travel tip, or comment. We promise to read it!

Your name: (required)

Your email: (optional, not published)

Comment: