Travel & Tots

I fell in love with travel when I was 18, Ill never forget my very first plane ride. It was a trip to Florida with my  dad and grandmother. I can still remember my heart racing as the plane sped down the runway, lifting us into the sky. But it wasn’t fear I felt, it was excitement. I looked out at the clouds and realized I wasn’t just limited to Montreal anymore. I could go anywhere. Right then and there, I knew I wanted to travel more, and little did I know that that first take-off was the beginning of something truly special.

When I announced my pregnancy, many people told me I’d have to slow down or even stop traveling once the baby arrived. I heard all the comments, “You can’t travel with kids, it’s too much hassle.” But I knew that wasn’t true for me. I’ve always loved exploring and discovering new places, and I was so grateful for every take-off and landing. How could I just stop?

My son was born during the beginning of COVID, and like the rest of the world, we were on lockdown. My itch for travel only grew stronger during that time. The moment restrictions were lifted, and our family vaccinated, I booked our first flight. Berlin here we come to visit my brother-in-law. My son was 11 months old at the time, airports were crazier than ever, and I was about to take him on his first flight. Despite the advice not to travel with a baby, I felt a sense of calm. It was like riding a bike, there was no fear of how my son would do on the flight or how we’d manage in a new environment.

Looking back, I’m proud for not falling in to all the heavily suggested advice to not go. I approached this trip as I would all my city breaks, and didn’t overpack, I brought only what we truly needed, like my son’s favourite toys, books, and enough clothes, formula, and nappies for the trip (you can always buy more when you arrive!). Flying with Ryanair meant that luggage space was a luxury, so I packed our 10 kg bag carefully, and off we went. It felt like travel was and now is  in my son’s DNA, he handled the car ride to Dublin smoothly, slept on the flight, and played contentedly while we waited in the dreaded COVID vaccine check line at BER Airport.

That first trip to Berlin is one I’ll never forget. My son had a blast exploring new playgrounds, tasting local foods, and experiencing different cultures. If you ask him about his first trip, he won’t be able to recall all the details like I can about mine, but that flight was a building block. It’s helped shape the resilient, curious little boy he is today, and the man he’ll become.

By the age of three, he’d already taken over 10 flights. He’s developed an impressive ability to adapt to new environments, is open to trying new foods and learning about different cultures, and his curiosity amazes me. He asks questions about architecture and wants to learn new languages, things that I never thought a child his age would be interested in. This type of play-based learning has boosted his creativity and imagination while also aiding his linguistic and social skills.

A study by The Travel Effect found that kids who travel regularly tend to have above-average grades, higher educational attainment, and even 12% higher-than-average incomes as adults! Yes, children thrive on routine, but their ability to adapt and be resilient in different situations can benefit them in so many ways. Just like us adults, we sometimes slip into autopilot, doing the same thing day in and day out. But when we and our little ones travel, it gives us all the chance to engage in higher level thinking. It opens our minds to problem solving, analytical thinking, and resourcefulness.

Another benefit I’ve noticed in my little guy, is his sense of responsibility. He’s involved in our travel decisions, and it’s impressive to watch him pack his own bag (even if I do go in later to remove the mountain of toys and downsize the year’s worth of underwear he packs). These skills will serve him well as he grows older.

The most rapid brain development occurs in the first five years of a child’s life, especially in the first three. Exposing them to people, places, and cultures different from their own during these years helps normalize those experiences.

Now, with all of that said, I know that travel isn’t always feasible for everyone. If you’re thinking, “That’s great, but we can’t afford to travel,” or “I’m not sure my child—or I—could handle it,” I completely understand. That was my reality too. My first flight was at 18, raised by a single mother who didn’t have the means to fly three kids around the world. But she found ways to incorporate travel into our lives, taking us to nearby cities whenever she could, or reading us books about different places and cultures.

Now, with two kids, I won’t deny that traveling is different, but it’s not impossible. My oldest, with so many flights under his belt, has become an expert and now shows his little sister the ropes. Of course, there are challenging days and nights, but let’s be real, those would happen at home too. The only difference is now they’re happening in Spain, Italy, France, or Australia. My children have learned to adapt, and it’s also helping me grow as a parent, teaching me how to cope in different environments. Yes, life changed when I had children, but I didn’t stop living. I’m so happy to share these experiences with my family, and I hope they continue to explore the world in all its beauty.