Steph Peters The quote of the vacation was from my husband, “Remember when we use to enjoy traveling?!” Here are the simple facts about traveling that aren’t so simple anymore while traveling with kids:
Packing: it’s not just your bag anymore. Their clothes, diapers, formula, their favorite toys, umbrella stroller, baby carrier, boppy pillow, movie for the plane, snacks, and bottles all squished into diaper bags, luggage, carry on luggage, and of course the purse.
The Flight: it’s not just a flight you may or may not take a nap on anymore. It’s being crammed together with no space to move while trying to grab snacks and toys for the kids so they stay calm for hours. It’s getting a workout while the lapchild wants to keep moving around to see all the people. It’s trying to feed them during take offs and landings to avoid their little ears from popping and hurting. It’s slamming the complimentary drinks so the kids don’t knock over that small cup because there is no room to keep it out of their reach.
Layovers: it’s not just enjoying some cocktails at the airport restaurant anymore. Finding a table that is big enough for the entire family plus all the carry on luggage, diaper bag, space for toys, and space to make a bottle. During this most recent trip, our flight home was delayed another hour so that meant we had to entertain our little ones for over 2 hours in the least kid friendly airport, Las Vegas. Oh you want to play some slots? Sorry no kids. Thank goodness we found some space they could run/crawl around with their toys while we just stared at the slot machines calling our names. 2 hours typically flies at home, but while you are stuck at an airport trying to entertain kids around a bunch of strangers, it feels like an eternity.
Getting picked up: it’s not just needing room for 2 in the car anymore. Needing a vehicle big enough and that already has 2 car seats ready to go, room enough for 5 suitcases, and all the random items from the pillow to the umbrella stroller to the diaper bag…and hopefully you still have your purse and some of your sanity.
