Lingering over my Sunday paper this morning, I stumble across a story that asks the controversial question: “How old should globe-traveling kids be?” This Associated Press story by Beth Harpaz brings up some interesting issues–such as, just because you CAN travel with small children, should you? But, the article actually got me to thinking about nearly two decades of my own road trip and vacation adventures with kids of various ages. It can be done–traveling with children, and while I’ve never taking a long 20-hour flight with any of my children, I do have some friends who have.
Firstly, my credentials: I did take a 2.5-day Amtrak train trip from West coast to the heartland when I was 6 months pregnant with my second daughter and my first daughter was nearly one–by myself, no spouse. I have also driven back and forth across the country with my children as the only parent–several days on the road and been on plenty of camping trips and vacations with them from the time they were babies. I’ve learned a thing or two, that is for sure.
I have to admit that it was much easier to travel with my children when they were little–than it is to travel with them now that they are older teenagers–at least trying to travel in a family pack is harder now. Squeezing all that snarky, moody, teenage energy into a car or trying to get everyone going in the same direction pleasantly is downright impossible now. When they were young, they pretty much had the same age-appropriate, general interests and we could always go for a dip in a hotel pool to improve everyone’s dispositions. That is definitely no longer the case.
I suppose my number one consideration, rule, or suggestion for traveling with kids would be for the parent to be healthy, well-rested, and flexible. Remember Murphy’s Law? Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong–and that goes doubly for family vacations. Expect to get minimal sleep and be called upon to do everything from emergency first-aid to changing diapers in a tiny, scary toilet compartment. Traveling with kids is NOT for the faint of heart…
See Also: More Tips to Remember When Traveling with Kids
Traveling with Young Children–Dos and Don’ts
Tips to Remember When Traveling With Children