Whether you are an experienced jet-setter or are considering

your first weekend road trip, there is no better reason to travel than to experience

a new way of life with someone you love—your child included.

It doesn’t have to be exotic or far away. Even a

nearby city can add a new dimension to your understanding of life.

I’ve heard all the reasons why I’m a little crazy

to travel with my toddler. Funny enough, the more reasons I hear not to, the

more convinced I am that traveling with my tot in tow is not only good for him,

but good for me.

The truth is, none of those gloomy “reasons” to stay put hold any water.

“But your child won’t even remember it!”

Sure, some vacations can be pricey…and when a

child probably won’t remember it a few years later, what’s the point?

It’s true, older children and adults may not have explicit

memories of their first three years of life, but that doesn’t mean early life

experiences are for naught.

Research

suggests that children remember early experiences until around the age of seven

and that they use these memories as a means of forming language and making

sense of the world.

Even as adults, we may not even remember the

specifics of some of our most remarkable life experiences. But we remember the feeling that experience filled us with.

If you are still in doubt, take along a travel diary

or your trusty camera! Reminiscing with your child years later about their

adventurous childhood will be a wonderful way to maintain an emotional

connection with your increasingly independent child.

If the trip was special for you and your tot, you

might be surprised at how much your child remembers.

“But it won’t be any fun now that you have to take care of your child the whole time.”

This must be the biggest myth of traveling. If you

enjoy seeing the world, nothing has to change when you have kids.

Sure, it may be a different style or different pace

than vacations taken BC (before children), but in some ways, it can be even

more fun.

You get to explore different aspects of new places (hello, sand castles, zoos, parks, and

children’s museums!).

Plus, you can see new

sights through the eyes of your awe-struck child. Even mundane aspects of

travel, like taking trains, are suddenly interesting…All aboard!

“But, is it safe to surround you and your child with unfamiliar languages, cultures, and foods?”

I’m not saying you should travel somewhere you don’t

feel comfortable taking your child. I had a wonderful time visiting Bali before

my son was born, but I don’t know that I am quite ready to re-visit the conniving monkeys and terrifying traffic with my toddler just yet. ?

But, as long as you feel comfortable and safe with

your travel destination, exposure to new cultures, languages, and foods is one

of the most rewarding aspects of travel!

These new experiences can implicitly open your child’s

mind to understanding other ways of life. They will undoubtedly allow your

child to grow up with a more open mind and heart.

It’s true what they say.

“But, wouldn’t it just be easier to wait until your child is older?”

Would you wait to expose your child to music, art,

or language, just because it’s easier for them to understand when they are

older? A child’s understanding of something new has to begin somewhere.

Traveling early with your child allows it to become

a routine part of life—one much easier to adapt to at an early age.

Traveling can be intimidating. It can even be a

little scary if you aren’t accustomed to it. Sleeping in a different bed,

meeting new people, and seeing new sights can be overwhelming if you don’t have

much experience with it.

But, babies aren’t set in their ways—and they don’t know

to be afraid of travel yet. That means there is no better time to foster a true

love of adventure in your little one than right now.

Plus, if you wait too long, it won’t just be your

child that finds it difficult to adjust—it will be you, too! There’s

no better way to hone your own travel skills than by practicing them.

“But, will it even be any fun for your child? What about their daily routine?”

Routine, schmoutine! Just like adults, children need

a change of pace once in a while, too! Trying something new can make us

appreciate the consistent features of life waiting for us back home.

Plus, if you feel like you and your child are in a

bit of a relational rut at the moment (thanks,

teething, tantrums, and time-outs!) a trip together may be just the ticket to strengthen

your emotional connection.

From eating gelato to swimming in new oceans,

your child will have a blast.

So your tot misses a nap or two. It won’t take long

to get back on schedule once you are home—and the experience gained will be

soooo worth the missed sleep.

Just catch a few zzz’s on the ride home and don’t

sweat the rest!

Bon voyage, mama!

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