Will Travel With Toddler

This past weekend marked a milestone for me: My first time traveling with one of my kids who is old enough to not need the typical travel gear (i.e. diaper bag, change of clothes, stroller, car seat, etc.) that one would usually take on a trip. My 4.5-year-old daughter and I boarded the plane from New York to Chicago with our two carry-on bags and a large tote. That’s it. 3 bags total! Our necessities for this trip were simple: snacks (for her), iPad (for her) and magazines (for me). Of course, I forgot that a 4.5-year old still touches everything on a plane and a small bottle of Purell would have been helpful, but I digress.

It felt like a treat to be able to breeze through security without the stroller struggle, and have her walk through security like a big girl. And her new Trunki (rollable suitcase that she can pull herself or ride on) was a HUGE hit – people were stopping and staring at her cruising through the airport in style, and even asking what it was and where to get one. Score one for mom!

A minor setback occurred at the car rental agency, where an agent swore to me when I made the reservation that the car seat would be installed when I reserved it and of course it was not. Thankfully, my husband had given me a last-minute refresher the night before, and another agent gave me a few pointers as I installed it myself. My daughter even took a little nap on the way from the airport to our destination in the ‘burbs. Another score!

While the purpose for our trip was to attend a mother/daughter party at my mom’s stationery store, we also made time to visit a children’s museum, have breakfast with a friend, and enjoy a playdate at another friend’s house. It seemed like such a nice change from the stress and hassle of traveling with her almost 2-year old brother. She even allowed me to “sleep in” when she woke up and played on the iPad one morning in her room.

I never imagined that the day would come when I’d be relaxed while traveling with my child(ren). I never thought it was possible to go away without a diaper bag, stroller, change of clothes and all of the other “stuff” that one needs for a plane ride with young kids. This gives me hope that in 2.5 more years (or less), I might actually enjoy a trip away with both kids!

In the meantime, I’ll make sure to never leave New York without a Trunki, iPad and Purell handy for whoever may need it!

Share your best tips for traveling with toddlers here.