Does travel have to stop once you have kids?
Nope.
Get out there! See the world!
(just bring plenty of diapers)
Okay, so-yeah-that was a pretty short answer, and I’m assuming you’re looking for a bit more actual advice on the subject, right?
Right.
Okay then! Let’s dive into this!
I’m about to unpack a ton of FAQs regarding going on holiday with your kiddos in tow.
But before I start dishing those out, I think it’s important to mention, when it comes to travelling with kids, it’s more accurate to refer to FAQs as “FMEs”.
Rachel, What in the World is an “FME”?
It’s a new acronym, I made it up just for this blog (tell all your friends!).
It stands for “Frequently Made Excuses” and boy do they run WILD from the mouths of all parents, both the new and seasoned editions.
But that’s a good thing! You should know that you’re not alone in your worry.
I’m here to be a travel guide (literally and figuratively) with the main goal of helping you feel comfortable ditching those excuses so you and your family can actually take the trip!
Some “Frequently Made Excuses” Why You Can’t Travel with Kids
- “It’s too difficult”
- “They’re too young”
- “They won’t remember any of it”
- “Kids can’t handle long haul flights”
- “It’s too expensive”
- “Maybe once they’re older, we’ll head off”
They all kind of sound alike, don’t they? Like maybe it’s all just too complicated and not worth the trouble?
Well, I have plennnnty (23 to be exact) of reasons why that is simply not the case.
Travelling with your kids is a solid parenting win for everyone involved, both in the moment and for years to come, so let’s go ahead and address some of the common logistical woes.
This is the part where I address all of the excuses as if they were one big ball of I-don’t-know-about-all-of-this-it-all-seems-like-A-LOT-to-deal-with:
Parenting is hard. Full stop.
Shopping with kids? Schedules and time off? Play dates, school functions, feeding them, clothing them, remembering to schedule doctor’s appointments, orchestrating themed birthday events, balancing time between in-laws…
your sanity in general?
HARD.
My point is, parenting doesn’t have an environment where it’s suddenly easier.
It can be difficult no matter where you are, so if that’s your main concern, you might as well tackle the difficulties in a destination of your choosing, while having some fun along the way – just saying…
An Age-Old Argument
Probably my favourite FME is the whole “they’re too young, they won’t remember any of it” one.
You know what, you’re right. But good news…
You will.
Your partner will.
You both will.
And you’ll take pictures and make memories, and bond with your family no matter what age (or era) you all are (or in).
Just because your kids can’t articulate or remember a certain travel experience doesn’t mean they aren’t still learning about the world, adapting to a variety of cultures and environments, and creating stronger bonds with their family.
Don’t underestimate the intrinsic education they’re getting, and all the benefits that come with it.
So, if travel is one of your passions, and you have things in this world you want to see and do? Share that with your kids; show them what lights up their Mum, in lieu of putting that on hold for ten or so years.
Always waiting until your kids are older, or the timing is better is only going to result in a lot of, well, waiting.
Besides, as they start to get older, life doesn’t suddenly become less complicated. Older means school schedules, commitments, sports, teens that want their space…there will always be a reason to push it off, or “wait for the ‘perfect’ time”.
Actual FAQs for How To Travel with Kids
“Can kids actually handle long haul flights?”
Real talk: you might not be in for the dreamy “watch movies while sipping champagne with a neck pillow” type of flight.
But with some solid preparation (I have a checklist already ready for ya!) and good-natured vibes (think treats or ear plugs for fellow passengers) they – and you – will survive.
You might even enjoy it!
“My kids are fussy eaters, what am I going to feed them?”
Meal time life hack? There’s a McDonalds in nearly every single country if you get truly desperate.
But it likely won’t come to that.
A children’s menu is common in most restaurants, and you’d actually be surprised what your kids are willing to try “when in Rome” so-to-speak.
Dining out aside, we also balance our meals out by staying somewhere with basic kitchen facilities, that way we can hit the grocery store for their favourites if necessary,
Added bonus! That helps us maintain a high-low travel strategy for our budget, which I talk about in depth.
Not to mention, I offer a full-on self-paced money management course that helps you create a budget tailored to your specific needs, so you can comfortably and confidently take the trip your family dreams about.
“Travelling with kids is expensive, I don’t see how we can afford it.”
First of all, you are not alone.
This seems to be the most common barrier for parents wanting to take that first step.
Thankfully, travelling with a budget happens to be something I am obsessed with.
Here’s a few workarounds for this:
- You can always plan for slower seasonal vacations, opt for a destination you can drive to, instead of flying
- You can plot out a route that includes staying with family or friends along the way (think of it as an extreme playdate scenario!)
- Explore available campsites or other less expensive accommodation options
Typically, transportation and accommodations will take up the majority of your travel budget.
If you take the time to plan accordingly, and utilise some savvy travel methods, you can appropriate your travel budget across all the “buckets” more evenly, creating a more memorable, enjoyable experience overall.
Truth Time: FMEs are Valid: It’s Not Always Going to be Rainbows and Butterflies During Your Trip
Let’s stop for a second here, because I don’t want to gloss over the truth of it.
The reality is, travelling with your kids can be really difficult at times, and will absolutely test you and your partner’s patience.
There will be crying on the plane, keeping your head on a constant swivel for available bathrooms, tantrums and meltdowns, and moments or experiences that turn out much differently than you envisioned.
But the crazy, chaotic moments often create the best memories to laugh about for years to come–and you’ll never be without a solid dinner party story.
There’s only one way to get better at something, so take more trips!
A Few More Tips for Kid-Friendly Travel
Learn From Others and Practice, Practice, Enjoy!
- No one needs to “die a hero” here. Don’t go trying to learn alllll your ideal travel scenarios and go-tos by trial and error alone. There’s a ton of helpful advice and guidance out there, use it! You’re reading some right now!
- Baby steps, start close to home. Be a tourist in your own city, make a note of the creature comforts and safety nets you can do without, and what items you had to rush home for as well as the items you packed that you didn’t use, so they aren’t taking up valuable space on longer trips. From there, slowly branch out to weekend trips and more complex modes of transportation and different environments.
- Concentrate on developing your mindset. Things are going to go wrong, just remember your kids are young for the briefest of moments, so soak it all in, and try to have a good giggle when things get a little hairy. You’re living the good ol’ days!
FAQs: Continuing to Travel After You Have Kids
How do I set up a travel budget?
Your family’s travel budget should be a category belonging to your overall household budget.
And if you aren’t exactly sure what that is, this is a gentle reminder that you need to start with that.
As far as travel budgets specifically, look at what your family can comfortably allocate each month toward a vacation, and then count backward from the intended departure date.
Now you have the number you’ll need to actively and consistently save each month in order to hit the overall goal.
Once the overall budget has been determined, I recommend breaking that down into categories like flights, accommodations, meals, daily expenses… taking into consideration your family’s specific needs.
I also highly recommend using tracking tools such as a budget planner or various apps to help you prioritise spending and saving, so you can stay on track.
How do I organise my travel budget?
There are plenty of budgeting apps to help you categorise and organise your expenses. You can list out costs such as flights, hotels, food, activities, and extras.
Make sure you’re updating them regularly as you start to confirm bookings and other expenses. This is a great way to help you keep the big picture in mind, making adjustments as needed.
How can I stick to my budget while on vacation?
Easy! Keep it top of mind, as well as a top priority.
Don’t let the wanderlust cloud your judgement. You likely worked and planned diligently for that vacation. Don’t sour it by returning home strapped with loads of credit card debt because you took that beautiful budget and tossed it out the window,
Remember to track your expenses – yes, even during the actual trip.
Bring your budget planner with you so you can update it daily and monitor your spending.
Is it possible to travel on a tight budget?
Absolutely! Besides, travelling on a tighter budget beats not travelling at all, right?
With careful planning, frugal choices, and a bit of creativity, travelling on a tight budget is entirely possible.
One of the main purposes of this entire blog is to highlight unique ways to book your next family adventure without breaking the bank in the process.
For example, our family’s tried and true method of avoiding mid-range travel at all costs.
What is a good budget for a family vacation?
What would be considered a “reasonable” budget for your family vacation is about as varied as the vacation itself.
So, while I can’t tell you a finite number, I can tell you the formula that has worked for us…
Taking your overall household budget into consideration, determine what your family can realistically set aside each month for the trip without detracting from the nonnegotiable categories like mortgage or insurance – you know the serious life stuff.
Next, multiply that number by the number of months until your ideal departure in order to get a good idea of what your max budget will be.
You can also look at any savings you’ve already accrued and add to the travel budget from those (if you’re comfortable doing so or they aren’t already earmarked for something else).
How can I make saving money for travel a habit?
By employing discipline and consistency…
Now that I’ve gotten sounding like a school teacher out of the way… you simply have to decide that saving for your family vacation is a priority, then work at it until it’s just another part of your family routine.
Make the habit automatic. Set up transfers to your travel fund after each payday so you aren’t tempted to allocate that money elsewhere, or don’t forget altogether.
You can also dedicate a specific savings account for your travel funds, which also prevents the temptation to spend that money elsewhere.
I also recommend regularly reviewing your budget with a keen eye for areas where you can cut expenses elsewhere to boost your savings.
Don’t go it alone! Get the whole family involved!
Make a chart, as big and as colourful as you wish, and have a time each week or month that you fill it in and track your progress together.
Is $100 a day enough for a vacation?
Setting a particular amount per day will ultimately depend on your destination and travel style – it can also end up determining those factors before you even take the trip.
$100 a day might cover accommodations, meals, and activities in one location… say camping in a state park- but then fail to cover even the hotel portion of a trip into the city or out of town.
Planning ahead is super important, as well as factoring in all known potential costs in order to determine a workable daily rate for your trip.
However, as far as daily rates go… I always recommend setting up your travel budget by category rather than on a per diem basis.
How can I make my travel budget more flexible?
For a more flexible travel budget, identify the areas you can cut back on without sacrificing the overall quality of your trip.
This might mean choosing a less expensive destination, travelling during the off-season, or getting creative as far as activities while you’re there.
Keeping your budget flexible isn’t restrictive, it actually makes room for unexpected, unique opportunities you hadn’t planned for!
What are some hidden costs I should be aware of?
Don’t let hidden fees get the best of you (or your carefully planned budget).
When you start booking the details of your trip, remember the first number you see isn’t likely the final number you’ll pay-especially when flights and hotels are involved.
Make sure you’re also accounting for resort fees, local taxes, and unexpected transportation costs such as tolls.
And, you’ll want to consider the cost of travel insurance, international roaming charges, and emergency expenses (you know, the kind that are impossible to predict).
I recommend always adding a buffer to the overall budget to account for unforeseen costs – and at the end of the trip, when you’ve planned so well that you didn’t need to dip into the buffer zone?
…you already have the savings for your next vacation started!
Can I still have a luxury experience on a budget?
Of course!
In order to do so, start by prioritising what’s most important to you and your family.
What’s the overall goal for your trip?
If a luxury hotel or experience is a must, consider scaling back on dining or daily activities in order to make that happen.
You can also look for package deals or off-season rates that will give you more bang for your buck.
The best travel budgets are all about balance and making smart choices aligned with the entire reason for taking the trip in the first place!
How to afford a vacation every year?
If travelling with your family every year is a priority (which I fully support!), then you will want to make travel a non-negotiable category in your household budget.
Consistent contributions to a dedicated travel fund will allow you to keep that fund growing, as well as taking advantage of deals, reward programs, and unexpected discounts.
Being flexible as far as your possible destinations and travel dates is another way to make annual vacations a reality.
Wrapping it Up: Does Travel Have To Stop Once You Have Kids?
With all the reasons or excuses you can drum up as to why you can’t or shouldn’t travel once you have kids, it can feel so much easier to just admit defeat and stay “grounded” for the foreseeable future.
However, I urge you to consider that while travelling with kids is going to feel different, and will present its own unique challenges, it is an absolutely rewarding endeavour. One that is definitely worth the effort involved.
Travel is truly a gift you are giving your kids – and yourselves, so lay down the FMEs, and get started making memories instead!
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