Travel with kids

Like many young professional couples Mr C and I loved to travel before Little Miss C came along. Together we've been to about twenty countries all around the world and even managed a round the world trip together for our Honeymoon. Since we became a family of three we've limited ourselves to staying in the UK, but now that LMC's a bit older we're ready to dust off those passports (and apply for one for LMC) and head off again.

The practicalities aren't too difficult, but it's fair to say that "fear" is probably the thing that's holding us back the most (if you ignore the cost element of course!) The ida of going on a flight with a toddler is slightly scary. After all a whole morning in the house on a wet afternoon can be challenging enough, but being in an enclosed space for several hours where she can't scream and run around to let off some frustration is a bit of a problem. I'm coming round to the realisation that other people manage it and survive so it can't be all that bad, can it?

We have a first trip booked soon that fits in with a work trip for Mr C and it's fair to say that I'm scared and excited in equal measure. There are going to be a lot of firsts for LMC: visit to an airport, trip on an aeroplane, staying in a hotel, eating out for all meals. I'm looking forward to seeing her excited when she sees all these things for the first time, but I also wonder how she'll react to some of the new experiences. 

In trying to "prepare" best I can I've had a look at the books on the market for travelling with children and I have to say that overall I've been a bit disappointed with their wishy-washy style that didn't really tell me anything that I couldn't work out for myself. There was one exception though that I wanted to share with you – Travel with Kids from Footprint Travel Guides. I'm not quite sure how I first came across this book, but I'm glad I did. As well as being full of practical advice and some real life experiences this book also provides brilliant inspiration about places to travel to with children of all ages. Author William Gray is himself a father and in his writing you can tell that he actually understands what it is like to have children with you (twins in his case) and also balances that with the wishes of many modern parents to go back to their before children travelling days in some way.

Time will soon tell as to whether or not I'm ready for our first big family adventure overseas, but I'm already thinking about and planning the trip after that. I guess I'd better book some travel insurance just in case…