After my son was born, getting him out of the house felt like an insurmountable task. Even taking him into the park next to my house felt like an ordeal. Thankfully, my confidence grew as time passed, and once my energy returned, so did my desire for adventure.
Before parenthood, travel adventures were always a priority, and I had visited 86 countries by my early 30s. I knew that having a young child would change this, but I didn’t want to abandon my travel dreams entirely when they could be good for both of us.
Traveling with my son built my confidence
As my son graduated from a tiny baby into an inquisitive toddler, it forced me to completely rethink what travel looked like and conquer my anxieties about taking him on vacation. I started off slowly by going to parks in nearby towns and then venturing further afield to country estates, aquariums, and museums.
These trips built my confidence and we stayed with my parents in the countryside a few times so that I could practice packing, making sure he was entertained in the car, and setting up the dreaded travel cot. Once I’d mastered what I needed to bring with me to keep him happy, I took my son to the Lake District for a weekend without my partner. We went on a boat on the water together, wandered around ruined buildings, and visited a wildlife park.
Even though he was only 2, I could see by the look on his face that these simple activities were exciting for him. The change of scenery was as good as a rest, and these shared experiences invigorated our relationship while we were away from the humdrum of our home life. Once we returned, I couldn’t wait to do it again.
As my partner and I have no access to any informal childcare, we have to parent as a tag team, so the two of us don’t get any vacations or nights out. When I take my son away, it is great for my partner as it gives him time to work and renovate the house, while I get to go away by myself for a few days at another time.
It’s a bonding experience
My son is now 3, and I’ve just taken him away on vacation for four days without my partner. It was a great experience, as we explored the countryside together and bonded by throwing stones in rivers while watching the ducks sail past us.
Once you’ve packed your bags and left, I think parenting can feel much easier when you’re away. Instead of being stuck in the house trying to think of games to play, there are so many new experiences to enjoy while traveling that you don’t need to invent entertainment — it’s there for you already.
I’ve also found that tantrums don’t last for long when there are places to explore. While all young kids will have emotional moments while traveling, it is hard for them to keep going with so many new things to see and do. It definitely improves my self-esteem when I see my son enjoying himself on vacation as I feel like a better parent for helping him have this experience.
Even though I’ve been privileged to see some of the world’s most incredible sights, including the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, and Angkor Wat, my son has profoundly shifted my perspective on travel. Now, I find more peace and satisfaction than I ever thought possible in watching him throwing stones into a lake. There’s a real joy to be had in slow travel, and solo adventures with my son have helped me to achieve that.
