“Have you lost your mind?”
“Aren’t you scared?”
“What if something happens?”
“Why don’t you wait?”
These are all questions I heard the moment I told family and friends about my upcoming solo adventure with my toddler. It shocked me how appalled everyone was that I was planning to take a toddler abroad. What is so crazy about wanting to see the world with your child by your side? What should stop you? If you keep coming up with the worst case scenarios or putting it off, it will never happen. Instead, you will be aging with an uncompleted bucket list wondering what the hell stopped you from exploring the world. It most certainly should not be your children; they should be the reason to travel.
See the world through little eyes
Children see the world entirely different than adults. Taking your children on adventures allows you to see from a different perspective. Kids are naturally curious. They will discover things you otherwise would not have noticed. They will enhance your experience by expressing their curiosity and delving into another culture and new surroundings. Adults are typically more hesitant to do this. My toddler is a social butterfly, so bringing her along always guarantees that I will be meeting new people. Get on your kids level and fully immerse yourself into the environment.
Just because you’re a mom doesn’t mean your life is over
We tend to forget about ourselves after the little tiny humans we created take over our lives. We created them, yet they seem to dictate our lives. Ironic. Have you always wanted to travel the world? Or even just go on adventures in your city? If the answer is yes, then GO! I always knew that traveling would forever be an important part of my life and I would regret it if anything stopped my passion for exploring. It is important for me to share my passion with my daughter, not put aside my dreams because of her. I have a husband that does not enjoy traveling and a toddler. If I am not letting that stop me from seeing the world, what is stopping you?
All about the money, honey $$$
Let’s face it. Kids are a heck of a lot cheaper when it comes to traveling. Especially if they are 2 and under. I am saving a ton on my upcoming voyage since my little girl will be about 17 months at the time of our trip. She flies for free since she is still considered a lap infant, although she is by no means light so I will probably be crushed on our 10 hour flight. She will be sleeping with me in the hotel beds, which means I was able to save money by booking single rooms. Museums and exhibits tend to be free for most children under a certain age as well. She also rides for free on the high speed trains in Europe. And as for eating, she will be plenty content sharing whatever I eat so I will only have to purchase one meal for the both of us. So when people ask you why don’t you wait until your kids are older to travel since it will be “easier”, tell them about the hundreds thousands of dollars you will be saving. Also, it is super easy to carry a little one around in my Ergobaby Baby Carrier
Bonding
This is what it is all about. The bond you will create with your children will be inseparable. The memories will be everlasting. Even if they are too young to remember, they will always have pictures to look back on. And when they are older you can travel back together and create even more memories. I already know I have a lifetime of travel ahead of me with little adventurers by my side and I wouldn’t want it any other way. How do you think I was blessed with an adventurous soul? By traveling my whole life, even before I can remember. I can’t express enough how experiencing something new, exploring foreign places, and taking adventures together bonds people. It is a bond that can’t be replicated.
Bond with your children through travel, it will be worth it.
What are you waiting for?
Need tips on traveling abroad? Check this out.
-E&A
Traveling Muggles 
Well said. I don’t have any kids, but I hope to someday, and I know that I won’t be giving up traveling if and when that happens. I’ve always wondered why people think traveling with children is so horrible. Learning about new cultures is good for kids intellectually, and plus, happy parents are better parents.
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Thank you Maggie! I don’t think anyone should give up traveling when they have kids. It only makes the experience even more special as long as you’re open minded! I am definitely a better mommy by bringing my little girl on adventures!
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Happy travels! What a small world, I lived in SD for several years growing up and I now live overseas. Sounds like you’re going in with a great perspective and have a very practical approach to traveling abroad with a baby. Can’t wait to see what adventures await you!
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Wow, what a coincidence! I would love to live overseas one day as well! Thank you for the support! We can’t wait for all the adventures that await us!
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Is this your first trip overseas? Italy is amazing you’ll love it of you haven’t already been 🙂
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I have actually lived in England and a tiny island called Montserrat as a child. I’ve since travel back to London solo and wrote about my experience there on my blog too! I’ve traveled overseas quite a bit, but haven’t made it to Italy yet. It has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. One day last month I just woke up and thought to myself, “I’m going to book it”. So I did 🙂
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That’s awesome! Have you traveled internationally with your little one yet?
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Not yet! She has been on tons of adventures around the US but this will be her first international trip!
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Completely agree. Travelling doesn’t have to stop with kids. It is so important to us that our baby travels – we are planning a circumnavigation in 2018 with our baby (be almost 2 by then) so applaud you for doing this.
I read a lovely quote the other day “they may never remember but you will never forget”.
Have a great time in Italy!
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What a wonderful quote! Thank you for reading and so glad to hear of your adventures with your baby! Traveling creates a bond and makes so many memories, no matter the age!
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Thank you so much for sharing it! I will send this post to all my friends who have or about to have kids. I have heard too many times that they can’t travel, because they have kids…
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Thank you for sharing! My entire purpose of starting my blog was to share with other mama’s the joy of traveling with their children and the lifelong bond it will create!
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I love this!! I don’t have kids yet but plan to soon and am worried it will be the end of my traveling days. This reminds me it does not have to be!
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Definitely does not have to be! I think most people think it will be the end of adventures, but for me it was truly the beginning!
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Omg! I love this so much! You’re officially my fave mother! lol I am glad you did this because I feel a lot of moms out there would never do anything like this. I love travel and when and if I become a mother, I don’t want to stop traveling. So seeing that you were able to successfully do this is a great inspiration! More mothers should be like you!
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You are too funny! Thank you!! Travel definitely does not have to stop as a mom!
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That is very nice to form that bond. Maybe she will be a traveler as well. Enjoy. They grow too fast 🙂
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I love all the pics of you and your girl. It must be super easy to carry her around like that, always close and yet your hands free.
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Thank you! It really is a great way to travel!
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Great reminder that having kids shouldn’t stop your wanderlust!! Love it, and the pictures of your daughter are adorable 🙂
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I’m really looking forward to the juxtaposition of traveling solo (now) vs. traveling with children (someday?). While I don’t have any kids yet, I can only imagine that the experience is much different with them! I’m sure there are pros and cons to both, but I really loved your point of seeing the world through your child’s eyes. Kids do look at the world differently, and everything is more magical! I hope you and your daughter continue to explore the world together!!
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Thank you! The world is even more amazing through your child’s eyes!
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I think it’s great that you travel with your daughter. I grew up with a single mom and we took our first trip together when I was 13 months old from NYC to New Orleans. I don’t remember it obviously, but I remember how much I loved traveling with her. I’m sure it will have a positive impact on your daughter too.
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I grew up traveling as well. It has definitely made me into who I am today!
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My parents travelled with me and my siblings from when we were still in diapers. I agree with you about taking you kids with you, and I am thankful my folks also did the same. It really made me appreciate the world from a very young age and it is one of the main reasons I love travelling.
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It’s great encouragement to travel with small children with practical tips and money saving proof. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks for sharing this different perspective! What you’re doing is very admirable, and I hope to be able to do what you’re doing one day if I have kids. Happy traveling!
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I hope that someday when I become a mom, I’ll be able to show my child the world as I grew up traveling and living in different countries.
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I love this. My husband doesn’t like traveling either but we have a new baby boy that I can’t wait to show the world.
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That is wonderful! So glad to hear that you will be showing your little one the world! What a lucky little boy!
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I travel with my nine-year old. The older she gets the more worthwhile the experience, and the more help I get from her, hence developing a work-ethic at her very young age: https://blacksinglemomtravel.com/
My other travel blog: Travelogues of an African Girl
africanahgirl.com
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