A Pro/Con List: Traveling with a Toddler (16 Months)
Mostly good, some bad
[09.28.23] Buenos días from Mallorca! I’m writing this about a hundred feet from the Mediterranean Sea with a brain full of things I plan to discuss about taking a long-haul trip with a toddler.
Like, how the schedule we practice at home translates (or, doesn’t) to a 9 hour time difference.
Rebuttals for when people say the child won’t remember it, so what’s the point?
Navigating the balance of traveling the way we used to before kids (adventure! activities!) and the accommodations we make now.
In the meantime, while I stay present in our vacation, I’ll leave you with this.
The Pros & Cons of Traveling with a Toddler @ 16 Months
Children resemble remarkably different human beings at four months, six months, seven months, ten months, fourteen months and sixteen months.
These are the ages we’ve traveled with Mila. Without a doubt, sixteen months has been my favorite.
This stage is my favorite so far as a parent, overall.
Sure, there are pros to traveling with a small baby who only needs milk to survive and can’t climb over the airplane seat in front of them to grab a fistful of the seat dweller’s hair (true story).
In fact, I may go back and write pro / con lists for all of the ages we’ve traveled; there are certainly considerations that make each age easier and each age more difficult.
But, a few standout elements make the toddler stage an extremely fun, even if exhausting, time to travel as a family.
Note: If there is one thing I know about being a parent it’s that all children develop differently and on their own timeline (trust me, this is coming from a preemie NICU mom). This list is reflective of our experience traveling with a toddler at 16 months and may not exactly reflect another child at 16 months old. View it as directional!
As a first-time parent, I have no idea how this age will compare to future ages in terms of traveling together.
I’m just happy the arrow is pointing up.
Thanks for reading!
p.s. you can always see all posts on the website
Rebuttals for when people say the child won’t remember it, so what’s the point? -- My 2 year old remembers the trip to Mexico 6 months ago. I think they remember more than we know...