The Journey Begins
Traveling has always been a passion of mine, starting from childhood. As the years rolled on, that passion only grew—eventually bringing kids into the mix. Many people believe that once you have kids, your travel adventures must be put on hold, but I’ve learned that it doesn’t have to be that way.
In fact, with a little planning and a lot of patience, you can continue exploring the world, even with little ones who seem perpetually glued to your legs.
From Observer to Participant: A New Mom’s Perspective
I remember the days before I had kids, watching other parents struggle with their toddlers on planes, wondering, “How do they do it?” I had mixed emotions—sympathy for the parents, frustration with the noise, and a bit of curiosity about what it would be like when I had my own.
Then, my first child was born. I was in Italy, far from my home in Pakistan, and the whirlpool of emotions was overwhelming. My husband joined me, and together we faced the daunting task of returning home with our newborn.
The thought of traveling with a 2-month-old baby was terrifying. What would I be able to do? What would I have to give up?
A Guilty Adventure: Leaving Baby Behind
For our first trip as new parents, my husband and I decided to explore Venice, leaving our baby in the care of his grandmother. We longed to enjoy the city’s romance—gliding through the Grand Canal, wandering the cobblestone streets, and getting lost in the beauty of St. Mark’s Square.
Venice was everything we’d imagined: breathtakingly beautiful, steeped in history, and brimming with charm. We indulged in gelato at quiet piazzas, marveled at the grandeur of the Doge’s Palace, and watched gondolas drift beneath ancient bridges. Yet, despite the city’s magic, I couldn’t shake the gnawing guilt or the sense that something was missing.
Throughout the trip, my thoughts kept drifting back to our baby. Every picturesque moment felt incomplete without him. Seeing other parents struggling with their little ones brought a brief sense of relief that we had chosen to travel alone, yet it was fleeting.
My heart remained with our baby, and I couldn’t fully immerse myself in the experience. That trip taught me a valuable lesson: while the world is full of beautiful places to explore, the true joy of travel comes from sharing it with those we love. From that point on, I knew that, Insha’Allah, our baby would be a part of every adventure we took.
The First Family Road Trip: Zurich Bound
Our first journey as a family started with a road trip to Zurich. It was January, and the cold weather made me nervous. In our culture, we don’t usually take babies out in winter, so I had all sorts of worries—what if he cries? What if something goes wrong?
But we embarked on the journey with family, including my mom, who looked after my baby the entire way. To my surprise, it was one of the best trips of my life. Babies tend to sleep a lot during long car rides, and my son was no exception. He slept almost the entire way, waking only for his feed.
When we arrived in Zurich, the streets around Lake Zurich were a magical sight. The cold wind was biting, and it didn’t seem right to take my baby out in that weather, so my mom stayed in the car with him while my husband and I hurriedly visited the place.
There’s something truly poetic about a mother’s love—no matter how old you are, your mom will always be there to take care of you and your kids.
Adapting to New Realities: Indoor Adventures and Learning to Adjust
After that experience, we made it a point to choose destinations with indoor attractions that we could comfortably explore with our baby. This wasn’t about giving up on travel; it was about adjusting our plans to fit our new reality.
Now, with two energetic kids, Alhamdulilah, life hasn’t stopped me from traveling. If anything, it has made me more creative in finding ways to continue our adventures.
The First Long-Haul Flight: Lessons Learned
When it came time for our first international long-haul flight with our baby, I was a bundle of nerves. Thankfully, Malpensa Airport had a special priority line for families, which allowed us to bypass the rush. Italy’s love for families and kids made the experience smoother, but it wasn’t without its challenges.
I packed double the number of things in our hand luggage, just to be safe. And yet, being a new mom, I made the rookie mistake of not packing my baby’s diaper properly—leading to a messy situation mid-flight. From that day on, I always carried extra clothes for both my baby and myself!
Tackling Long-Haul Flights: London to Chicago and Beyond
One of the most challenging long-haul flights I took was when my first toddler was just 1.5 years old. We flew directly from London to Chicago, a journey of about 8 hours.
From Chicago, we then embarked on an even longer journey to Lahore, with a transit in Doha. That was the longest trip I’ve ever taken with my little one, and thanks to Allah, with proper planning, I managed to make it through.
Now, with two energetic kids who can’t sit idle for long, I actually prefer flights with transit rather than direct flights. The breaks in the journey allow us to take advantage of kids’ play areas in transit lounges, giving my little ones a chance to burn off some energy and making the journey much happier and less frustrating for everyone.
Travel Tips: Making the Journey Easier
- Upgrade When You Can: Even if the airport doesn’t offer a free fast track, it’s worth upgrading if you’re traveling with kids. Passing through long security lines is daunting enough without a crying or irritable child in tow.
- Travel Light: If you’re traveling alone with kids, pack light. Stick to the essentials—baby gear and a small crossbody bag for your documents.
- Cabin-Friendly Prams: Invest in a pram that’s cabin-friendly. You’ll appreciate the ease of opening and closing it, especially during transit when many airports don’t have prams available.
- Entertain with Snacks: A happy baby means a happy mom! I usually prefer healthy snacks, but when we’re traveling, it’s okay to indulge. Lollipops, candies, chocolate chips, and biscuits have saved me on many occasions.
- Choose Kid-Friendly Destinations: Now, as a family, we prioritize kid-friendly places like theme parks, zoos, and places with indoor activities. A visit to Legoland or the Cadbury Chocolate Factory in Birmingham is something my toddler still talks about with excitement.
- Hotel Choices Matter: We always choose hotels with breakfast included. It gives your picky eater a chance to start the day with a full tummy, so they’re ready to explore.
- Beware of Germs: Kids tend to get sick a lot, especially when traveling. Wipe everything down with sanitizing wipes—tray tables, hands, anything your child might touch.
- Prepare for Air Pressure Changes: During takeoff and landing, I give my kids something to suck on, whether it’s a pacifier, a bottle of milk, juice, or just water. Alhamdulillah, they’ve never had any issues with ear pressure.
- Communicate with Your Kids: Even if they’re young, kids understand more than we think. My 3-year-old now packs his own little bag with toys and diapers whenever we have a trip coming up. It’s a reminder that our little ones are part of the journey too, and we’re building memories together.
Building Memories Together: A Final Thought
Some people believe that kids won’t remember trips at a young age, so why bother taking them? I see it differently. Traveling with kids opens their minds and exposes them to new experiences. It’s about building memories together, opening their world, and teaching them to think beyond the box.
As the saying goes, “Traveling—it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” Don’t let parenthood stop you from exploring the world. Embrace the chaos, the mess, and the joy of traveling with your kids. You’ll be surprised at how much you’ll grow together.
Share Your Story
Traveling with kids is an adventure full of unexpected challenges and beautiful moments. I’d love to hear your stories—whether it’s a funny incident that happened mid-flight, a tip that made your journey smoother, or a destination your kids just loved.
What has surprised you about traveling with little ones? How have you managed to keep your travel dreams alive while raising a family? Let’s create a community where we can share our experiences, inspire one another, and offer support to fellow parents who are navigating the joys and hurdles of traveling with kids.
And speaking of funny moments, I still laugh thinking about the time I casually told my 2-year-old, “Please don’t poop until we get back to the hotel,” and he actually held it in until we got there! Who knew toddlers could take instructions so literally?
So, if you’ve got a story like that—or any travel-related tales that made you shake your head and laugh—share them in the comments below. Let’s laugh (and maybe cry a little) together!
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