Is Traveling with Kids Worth It?
Traveling with kids can feel like a lot. Packing, planning, and managing the inevitable meltdowns can make you question your life choices. But over time, I’ve learned that even when it feels overwhelming, there’s a way to embrace the chaos. For me, it all comes down to mindset.
Here are five things I remind myself of every time we travel as a family. They’ve made the whole experience way more fun and way less stressful.
1. Every Trip Is Practice
Whenever I start spiraling about the logistics of traveling with a child, I stop and remind myself: This is just practice. We’re learning how to adventure as a family, one trip at a time.
Over the years, I’ve made every travel mistake in the book. I’ve forgotten truly crucial items (like my work laptop before a 3-month trip to Taiwan—don’t recommend), packed way too many toys (again, don’t recommend), and even gone on a 10-hour flight without a spare change of clothes for myself (air-sick toddlers = free first-class pajamas, so there’s that).
Each experience taught me something that made the next trip easier. More importantly, I’ve learned that we can survive discomfort and even laugh about it later. Travel isn’t supposed to be perfect. It’s about experimenting, learning, and getting better, one messy adventure at a time.
2. It’s Not a Vacation—It’s an Adventure
After Hayden threw up on himself on a bus ride to a friend’s wedding in Vienna.
Here’s what I’ve learned about traveling with a kid: it’s not relaxing. And that’s okay!
I’ve found that shifting my expectations makes all the difference. In this season of life, lounging on the beach all day or sleeping in after a long night out just isn’t on the table—but that doesn’t mean the trip isn’t meaningful.
Now, I think of our trips as adventures. Adventures are messy and unpredictable, but they’re also exciting and full of discovery. From running to catch a bullet train in Japan to pushing Hayden up a cobblestone hill in Europe (ok actually Jing did this and I just documented it), these moments may not be “vacation-y,” but they’re what I’ll remember years from now.
Once I embraced the idea that our trips are about exploration and connection (not rest), everything felt way more fun.
3. Remember Why You’re Doing This
When traveling gets tough, I always remind myself why I’m doing it in the first place.
Before I had Hayden, I’d traveled a ton on my own and with my husband. At some point, I realized I wanted to share that love of travel with kids—to see the world through their eyes and help them learn from it.
For me, traveling with Hayden isn’t just about seeing new places. It’s about teaching him to be flexible, navigate new cultures, and handle a little discomfort. These trips aren’t just vacations; they’re lessons in life, resilience, and connection. That’s what keeps me going when the logistics feel impossible.
The highlight of Hayden’s trip to the South of France.
4. It’s About the Journey, Not the Destination
Everyone says this, but it really is about the journey. Traveling with kids forces you to slow down—and honestly, that’s not a bad thing.
Instead of rushing to check off every must-see sight, I’ve tried to appreciate the little moments: watching Hayden’s fascination with an excavator building a new beach in Cannes or seeing him chasepigeons in a random European square or playing soccer with kids in Mexico. Those are the memories that stick.
Sure, we may not hit every attraction (and most of the time, we don’t intend to) and that’s okay. It’s not about doing it all—it’s about soaking in the moments that matter to us.
And honestly, even if parenting while traveling is the same work you’d be doing at home, the scenery is so much better. A toddler tantrum feels slightly less intense when you’re watching a sunset in Hawaii, right?
5. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
I know not everyone is a group project kind of person, but my view is that with most things in life, things are easier (and more fun) when working with a team!
One of my favorite parts of trip prep is involving Hayden in the packing process. He brings me his clothes, checks off items on a list, and throws them in the suitcase (sometimes with a little too much enthusiasm). It’s a fun way to get him excited for the trip, teach him responsibility, and spend some quality time together.
AWe also love traveling with other families or friends who enjoy being around kids. It’s so much easier—and more fun—when you can share the parenting duties, look out for each other, and even sneak in a little adult time while the kids play together. There’s just something special about building memories with friends while exploring new places together.
Let’s Go!
Traveling with kids isn’t about having everything go perfectly. It’s about making memories, learning as you go, and finding joy in the chaos.
So the next time you’re stressing about packing or bracing for a long flight, just remember: every trip is a chance to grow—both for you and your kids. Plus, those little moments of magic along the way? They’re so worth it.
What helps you stay sane while traveling with kids? Share your best tips in the comments—I’m always looking for new ideas!