I love this piece from you-- and this sentiment! I kept thinking on my last trip home (long haul, for a family event, without the kids) how much easier it all was, and the bar I had set the past 8 years (everything's so much easier solo!), but there's just something missing when your favorite people can't be there with you. Still, I savored the alone time and leaned in to being 100% present while I was there, knowing they'll come back with me when the time is right. Thanks for this!
It's funny how it can be challenging in the moment traveling with kids, but once they are a part of the process, something is missing when they aren't there. I am working on being present in the ups and downs as well!
I’ve certainly found that my biggest struggles have always been the resistance within *myself.* It’s always the warring “this is new and I like the old way better” always plants discontent.
There are so many who throw their hands up in the air that traveling with (young) kids is so hard and sometimes I’m tempted into doing the same. But I know if I stop, I’ll lose yet another part of myself in this new role and I just can’t let that happen. Especially since I’ve always wanted so eagerly to share travels with my baby. So muck on we shall and the memories will outweigh the hard parts.
So well said. I’m with you - continuing to travel while it’s hard lets me believe that this important part of my pre-baby self is still present. Muck on we shall :)
My son was born in June 2020, so our plans to travel with a baby were put on hold for a bit. Three years in, we have done road trips from Philly to Wisconsin twice (including one cheese festival!), West Virginia, the Outer Banks, and the Catskills, and gone on lots of camping trips.. Having a kid along on the road trips makes us stop more, which is such a bonus. I would have never stopped in Lakewood, Ohio to see the sunset on Lake Erie or Swaminarayan Akshardham in Central Jersey if I didn't have a toddler who needs a break. We are headed to Portugal in March and I can't wait but I do hope we keep up the road trips because there is so much to see!
These road trips sound incredible and wow, a cheese festival would be heaven for my daughter! I've been a bit intimidated by long car rides due to her historical disdain for the car seat but as that slowly improves I'm working up the courage to plan some road trips. Such a great point about stopping more! Toddler travel = slow travel, for us at least. Safe travels to Portugal, I'd love to hear more about your trip when you're back. Portugal as a family is something we're considering too!
This resonates! We traveled to 18 new places in 18 months with our son as a way or reclaiming joy and processing grief post-pandemic. As veteran travelers we too really struggled with the increase in bags, gear, and complexity, and the decrease in “me time.” But I find I do my best parenting when I’m sharing my love for nature and my curiosity about different cultures with my child, and at least that part is easier for me to pull off while traveling, as opposed to in his child-proofed play space back home.
18 new places in 18 months! What an incredible idea. I’m fascinated by the thought of doing the best parenting on the road. It rings true because when traveling, I’m the most open and adaptable version of myself. Thanks so much for sharing.
I love this piece from you-- and this sentiment! I kept thinking on my last trip home (long haul, for a family event, without the kids) how much easier it all was, and the bar I had set the past 8 years (everything's so much easier solo!), but there's just something missing when your favorite people can't be there with you. Still, I savored the alone time and leaned in to being 100% present while I was there, knowing they'll come back with me when the time is right. Thanks for this!
It's funny how it can be challenging in the moment traveling with kids, but once they are a part of the process, something is missing when they aren't there. I am working on being present in the ups and downs as well!
I’ve certainly found that my biggest struggles have always been the resistance within *myself.* It’s always the warring “this is new and I like the old way better” always plants discontent.
There are so many who throw their hands up in the air that traveling with (young) kids is so hard and sometimes I’m tempted into doing the same. But I know if I stop, I’ll lose yet another part of myself in this new role and I just can’t let that happen. Especially since I’ve always wanted so eagerly to share travels with my baby. So muck on we shall and the memories will outweigh the hard parts.
So well said. I’m with you - continuing to travel while it’s hard lets me believe that this important part of my pre-baby self is still present. Muck on we shall :)
My son was born in June 2020, so our plans to travel with a baby were put on hold for a bit. Three years in, we have done road trips from Philly to Wisconsin twice (including one cheese festival!), West Virginia, the Outer Banks, and the Catskills, and gone on lots of camping trips.. Having a kid along on the road trips makes us stop more, which is such a bonus. I would have never stopped in Lakewood, Ohio to see the sunset on Lake Erie or Swaminarayan Akshardham in Central Jersey if I didn't have a toddler who needs a break. We are headed to Portugal in March and I can't wait but I do hope we keep up the road trips because there is so much to see!
These road trips sound incredible and wow, a cheese festival would be heaven for my daughter! I've been a bit intimidated by long car rides due to her historical disdain for the car seat but as that slowly improves I'm working up the courage to plan some road trips. Such a great point about stopping more! Toddler travel = slow travel, for us at least. Safe travels to Portugal, I'd love to hear more about your trip when you're back. Portugal as a family is something we're considering too!
This resonates! We traveled to 18 new places in 18 months with our son as a way or reclaiming joy and processing grief post-pandemic. As veteran travelers we too really struggled with the increase in bags, gear, and complexity, and the decrease in “me time.” But I find I do my best parenting when I’m sharing my love for nature and my curiosity about different cultures with my child, and at least that part is easier for me to pull off while traveling, as opposed to in his child-proofed play space back home.
18 new places in 18 months! What an incredible idea. I’m fascinated by the thought of doing the best parenting on the road. It rings true because when traveling, I’m the most open and adaptable version of myself. Thanks so much for sharing.
Agreed on being more open and adaptable on the road!