Travelling with Young Children: Why It’s the Best Time to Explore the World
As the parent of a little boy who arrived after a long and challenging IVF journey, I never take a single moment with him for granted.
Forrest had a passport almost as soon as he had a birth certificate.
Some people laughed when I told them. Others thought it was excessive. But for me, it made perfect sense. Travel has always been one of the greatest passions in our lives, and becoming parents was never going to change that.
If anything, it gave us another reason to explore.
We don't have designer wardrobes. We don't drive luxury cars. We don't spend our money on expensive status symbols. Instead, David and I have always chosen to invest in experiences.
While some people save for a new car, we're usually saving for our next trip.
Travel is what excites us. It's what brings us together as a family. It's what creates the memories we talk about years later.
And now it's something we get to share with Forrest.
"I Can't Travel Because I Have Children"
One phrase I've heard countless times since becoming a parent is:
"I'd love to travel, but I have children."
I've never really understood that way of thinking.
For me, having a child is exactly why I want to travel.
Why wait until they're older?
Why wait until life becomes less busy?
Why postpone experiences that could be enjoyed now?
Of course, travelling with a toddler looks different from travelling as a couple. There are naps to consider, snacks to pack and occasional toddler meltdowns to navigate.
But that's all part of the adventure.
The benefits far outweigh the challenges.
Every trip introduces Forrest to new environments, new sounds, different languages, different foods and different ways of life. Even at a young age, children absorb far more than we realise.
Will he remember every trip?
Probably not.
But I firmly believe these experiences help shape who he becomes.
Planning Makes Everything Easier
People often tell me they couldn't imagine travelling with a toddler because it sounds stressful.
The truth is that most of the stress disappears when you're organised.
I'm a planner by nature.
David drives. I organise.
It's a system that has worked for years.
Long before we leave for the airport, I've usually researched the destination, checked transport options, identified places to eat and made sure we've thought through the practical details.
That preparation allows us to relax and enjoy the trip when we arrive.
Rather than spending precious holiday time trying to figure out where to go or what to do, we're already making memories.
Flying with a Toddler
One of the biggest worries parents have is flying.
Honestly, it's never bothered me that much.
Forrest has been travelling from a young age, so airports and aeroplanes are simply part of life for him.
I always make sure we pack plenty of snacks, fruit and drinks for the journey. A hungry toddler is rarely a happy toddler.
We also try to work with his natural routine rather than against it. If a flight coincides with nap time, even better.
Many parents spend weeks worrying about how they'll keep their child entertained on a flight.
We don't rely heavily on tablets or bags full of toys.
Most of the time Forrest is perfectly happy looking out of the window, having a snack, walking around the airport or eventually drifting off to sleep.
Children often adapt much better than we give them credit for.
My Favourite Seat Selection Trick
Over the years I've developed a few travel habits.
One of my favourites involves choosing seats on the plane.
On aircraft with a three-and-three seating configuration, I often book David on the aisle seat and myself and Forrest in the middle seat, leaving the window seat available.
More often than not, solo travellers choose a row where they don't have to sit next to a family with a small child.
It's not guaranteed, but we've had plenty of flights where that window seat remains empty, giving us extra space and making the journey far more comfortable.
When you're travelling with a toddler, every extra inch of space feels like a luxury.
The Importance of Sleep
One thing I've learned is that sleep can make or break a family holiday.
Before every trip I contact our accommodation and request a travel cot or baby bed if one is available.
It sounds like a small detail, but it can make a huge difference.
A well-rested toddler is generally a happy toddler.
A tired toddler can quickly become everyone's problem.
Those small preparations before travelling often save a lot of stress later.
Why Travel Matters
For me, travel has never simply been about ticking countries off a list.
It's about learning.
It's about understanding how other people live.
It's about standing in places where history happened and seeing the world through a different lens.
As Forrest grows older, I want him to understand that there is a huge world beyond his hometown.
I want him to hear different languages, experience different cultures and understand that people live differently across the globe.
Travel teaches empathy.
It teaches curiosity.
It teaches adaptability.
Those are lessons no classroom can fully replicate.
Creating Memories Together
Some of my favourite moments travelling with Forrest aren't the big attractions.
They're the simple moments.
Watching him run across a beach for the first time.
Seeing his face when he spots an aeroplane.
Watching him explore a new place with complete wonder and excitement.
Those are the moments that stay with me.
Years from now, I probably won't remember every hotel room or restaurant.
But I'll remember those moments.
Why We Will Keep Travelling
Travel isn't something we'll start doing again once Forrest is older.
It's something we'll continue doing together as a family.
Of course there will be challenges.
There will be delayed flights, forgotten snacks and occasional tantrums.
That's life.
But there will also be incredible experiences, unforgettable memories and opportunities to see the world through our son's eyes.
For us, that's worth every bit of planning.
Because the best time to explore the world with your children isn't someday.
It's now.
