[Solo Ep] Tips and Tricks for Traveling with a Toddler
Episode Description
We’ve traveled quite a lot with our daughter Olive: Hawaii, the East Coast, St. Louis, San Francisco, and Florida, with more coming up around the holidays.
My husband’s family lives here in San Diego, but my family’s all over the country. Video chats only go so far, and it’s important to me that we travel so she can see them.
For each adventure, I start with a basic packing list and add to that based on what worked for us last time, where we’re going, and who we’re seeing. The list is different each time depending on these factors, and our daughter, who is obviously older for each one.
For today’s episode, I’m going to cover some tips and tricks that my husband and I have learned while traveling with Olive, plus you can download my free packing list to get you started! Traveling with a toddler may not be easy, but, trust me, it’ll be so worth it if you do.
Have compassion for yourself (and the people around you)
In July, when we flew to Florida, a couple of women were sitting in front of us.
I kept hearing them huffing and seeing them turning around, looking between the seats to see what was going on. (It’s possible this grumpiness was perceived. I was already worried about annoying the people around us!)
Once, I was actually scolded by the flight attendant for not having my daughter in my lap. At the time, I was sweating, trying to keep Olive restrained while she screamed at the top of her lungs.
In these moments, I declared I was never traveling again.
But now, I have so much compassion for myself AND for the women sitting nearby. Imagine the rules and structure they must have grown up with to imagine I should have more control over the situation! As for me, I was doing my best to give my child an opportunity to meet and spend time with her family.
Which involves getting on airplanes and not worrying about anyone else’s opinions in those moments. My husband and I are not THRIVING by any means on these airplanes – we’re just trying to survive.
I feel for you moms with children similar to mine, who are so active and interested in everything going on around them – children who are not captivated by a tablet and must say hi to everyone they see – but over time we’ve developed a system that (mostly) works for us.
Our traveling must-haves
Car seat. It’s a safe space for Olive, and it seems to be the only way she’ll sleep on a flight. I often bring extra blankets to pad the area around the car seat, and my husband uses a travel bag that can be carried on his back to make carrying the car seat less cumbersome.
Stuffies. Bring any you’re willing to carry. It’s a lot, but honestly, I find it’s worth it to give Olive a comfortable space.
Change of clothes. Layers are super imperative on the plane. But most of the time, if we’re flying in the morning, we just leave Olive in her pajamas until she gets messy.
Diaper bag. Shout out to my sister for this recommendation – we started using the EzPacking brand travel bags for our diaper gear. I find if you put your diapers, wipes, rash cream applicator and poop bags for dirty diapers in this little container, it’s easier to just grab what you need out of the backpack for when you have to go into that tiny airplane bathroom changing table. We also bring a puppy pee pad, which I put on the changing tables at the airport.
Snacks. We use an EzPacking bag to hold Goldfish, Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies, freeze-dried fruits, Bambas, etc. We also love the PackIt Freezable Snack Bag, which we keep cheese and yogurt in. It goes seamlessly through the security line.
Entertainment. Right now we’re in the phase of pop-it toys and activity books with zippers, buttons, shoelaces, things like that. Olive also loves toy cars, which are very fun on the drop-down trays.
Travel stroller. We love our Zoe’s travel stroller. It folds and is small enough to fit in the overhead bin if you want.
Pajamas. If you are landing close to bedtime and you have a car ride where your kid might fall asleep before you reach your destination, I highly recommend packing a pair of pajamas and an overnight diaper and changing them in the airport before you get into the car.
Other tips and tricks
Several times we’ve gotten items from a baby gear rental service – Pack ‘n Plays, strollers, high chairs, and more. Sometimes hotels will have Pack ‘n Plays or high chairs at no additional cost if you reserve them early enough, so it’s definitely worth a shot to check them out.
Also, don’t bring all your diapers with you. We do a Target pick-up or delivery of diapers and wipes to wherever we’re going. It’s a game-changer and takes away a lot of the stress and luggage.
Most importantly, give yourself some grace. Most people are so generous and will even help us entertain our child! During trips where Olive is having a difficult time, it’s always helpful for me to remember that this flight will be over soon enough. Do not worry about what the people around you are thinking!
I’ve linked a more complete, detailed packing list freebie (with a toddler, with a baby, or alone), which can be a good place for you to start when trying to figure out what you’ll need for traveling with a toddler. Be sure to check it out.
Notable Quotes from Emily
“Give yourself some grace. If you're having a difficult time or if your child is having a difficult time, this flight will be over soon enough, and you will never see these people again. So do not worry about what that person in front of you is thinking. If you're making them uncomfortable, you do your best, Mama. You've got this! If you want to travel with your little one you can. It may not be easy, but it'll be so worth it. ”
“My husband's family is here, but I have family all over the country. So it is really important for us to travel so that my daughter gets to see her family. Video chat can only do so much. And whenever we get started in the planning/preparing phase of a trip, it gets pretty intense for me. I always start with some sort of basic packing list and add from there based on what worked for us on the last trip, where we're going, and who we're seeing.”
Resources & Links
Need a place to start with planning your trip with your toddler? Check out my packing list freebie!
Learn more about Project: Mom and follow us on Instagram at @projectmompodcast.
Do you want to share your motherhood journey on the podcast? Email me at projectmompod@gmail.com.