We all dread those long plane journeys, especially with a toddler! The anxiety, the anticipation, the whole airport experience is enough to blow the most seasoned traveller's stress levels through the roof!

But if you can make it through airport security and immigration in one piece then that's half the battle won!

The journey

There will be tantrums - there's no denying it. Imagine the frustration of those tiny, inquisitive minds being confined to one small space 😬. There's just so much to see, to touch to explore! But, establishing boundaries is key - we learnt very quickly that little feet love to wander!! and that being said aeroplanes are not the safest and certainly not the most cleanest environments for our our littler germaphobes.

By keeping your child entertained & in their seat can be a challenge but one that IS achievable if you're prepared:

Make use of the in flight entertainment. It's free! And there are usually plenty of options from movies, to cartoons and even games to keep the little ones entertained. Often airlines provide children's activity packs, use them! They may not be suited to all ages, but you're sure to find something in there that will keep your little hands entertained (if but for a short period). Alternatively take a tablet loaded up with your child's favourite shows, handheld devices can be a great distraction for road and boat journeys too. NB: If taking a tablet, its worth investing in a portable battery pack,ideal for charging your phone too.

Take toys - Take small, cheap ones that you're happy to loose. Don't spend money on expensive toys, the truth is with all the will in the world, you'll still loose them! Not only that, but you'll need to vary it up. You can spend a fortune on toys, naturally we all want our children to have the best, the latest and the most expensive (in our case - Nathan's choice NOT ours) but in reality children get bored easily and what's worse is that they always want what someone else has (even if that is a plastic spoon!!!). So the moral of the story here, buy cheap and often. We found for us that varying toys was a good way to keep our toddler engaged, that said there were many an awkward moment where we've found our toddler shamelessly scavenging other children's toys whilst his own lay invitingly sprawled out and completely untouched!

Factor in sleep patterns - If your flight is during your child's usual sleep times then take advantage of this. A sleeping child means peace and quiet but most importantly rest! Maybe skip or shorten any naps before the flight & certainly allow your little ones to blow off some stream in the airport play areas; Change them into their pjs.. all these little things add up and are worth it for those stolen moments of peace.

Change of clothes - Take a change not only for your child but for yourself too. Travelling with babies can often be the easiest age to travel with your child, but the last thing you'll want is to sit for hours in your child's puke!

For those of you thinking of travelling but putting it off because of children, Don't! You'll be surprised at just how adaptable children can be!

Countries

Where to Start

Plan a world trip

How to save

Useful Travel Sites

What to pack

Stepping out of your comfort zone

We're all guilty of sticking to what we know, it’s safe, and its familiar and most of all it’s the one place where we know our boundaries. Everyone gets wrapped up in their own lives, whether it be education, work or family commitments. Some even venture out just enough to satisfy their cravings but rarely enough to fully come out of their comfort zones.

Each to their own, we say & if you're happy with the life you live, then good on you! But for those of us who aren't / weren’t and for those of us in search of a little adventure…what is really stopping us?

StudyWorkBillsChildren

What if we could just put all of that aside to actually go off and explore; live; experience different cultures; see the World?

We spend our entire adult life's working, saving, conforming to what society expects of us. For many, this is precisely what life is about, there is no right or wrong answer to this question. It’s simply a matter of opinion.

But it certainly wasn't for us though & so it was decided;

1 year – 1 toddler – 1 world tour

Our Planning

And with that in mind we began planning from the comfort of our living room. Nothing finalised, nothing booked and no secure plan. We began setting clothes aside, buying gadgets and tools for an adventure we hadn't even booked yet! We'd handed in our notices at work and continued on our naive and blinkered path.

Still no real plan, nothing concrete and nothing booked. And then then it all changed…….

We'd kept an eye on flight prices, watched them fluctuate over the coming weeks and then one sunny afternoon in September there it was, our golden ticket; a cheap flights to Rio!

Tickets booked, we were finally committed and actually going to start the adventure that we'd only dared to dream of. For us the pressure was on, we'd given ourselves 4 weeks to out our lives, everything from our luggage, our visas and documents to our home and family life. A deadline we could not afford to miss, we upped the gear and began focusing on the tasks ahead.

We left our home, still not really knowing what to expect or where we'd go next? But for us that was all part of our adventure. We ended up in places that we'd never even heard of and met some incredible people along the way.

Final Push

We know now that for us the best thing we could have done was to simply up and leave. You can spend a life time planning your trip of a life time and still not be satisfied when you get there! There are always factors out of your control, such as weather, health, politics, etc. Truly no trip is ever as it seems on paper.

For us, we had an understanding. We'd travel, we'd see as much of the world as we could and we accepted that we simply could not see everything.

And so with a rough idea of what we wanted to see in mind, we began tying up our loose ends. Informing the bank of our intended travels; setting up direct debits; cancelling unnecessary subscriptions!

We found that when deciding whether or when to travel, the longer we pondered the ideas, the more excuses we found, why not to travel. There will always be something stopping you, the trouble is weighing up whether the need to stay outweighs your desires.

For us the mundane routine of work, eat, sleep, repeat was more than we could bare. It ultimately comes down to the simple fact, if you don’t go, you won’t know.

Stepping out of your comfort Zone with Children

Things to consider:

Vaccinations - always get the most up to date information on what vaccinations you might need before you travel. Take into account that doctor’s surgeries usually have a 4-6 week wait on appointments! Alternatively, speed up the process & book privately. We purchased almost all of our appointments through MASTA Travel health - https://www.masta-travel-health.com

Children - let's face it, children can be as unpredictable as the weather. Travelling before your child is of school age allows you the flexibility to explore for as long or as little as you want. You might think that your child won't cope but believe us, children are more adaptable than you think! Every child is different of course and so only you'll know best but why not try out a smaller trip & see just how they fare?

Ensure immunisations are up to dateAccept that tantrums are a way of lifeCompromising will turn into a fine artUse distraction to avoid tantrums from escalatingReward good behaviourDon’t be afraid to discipline when neededPeople are a lot more understanding then you think

Nursery – most nurseries require a notice period of 4 weeks. Ensure that you tie in your trip to coincide with your child’s finishing date.

Long haul flights – if you’re planning a RTW trip, it’s likely that you’ll be taking a fair number of flights. Don’t be put off by this. Flights are sometimes the most efficient and cost effective way of travel. Getting your child used to their new surroundings can be difficult, but it’s important to try and establish boundaries from the offset. Let you child know that its ok to jump around, in your own area but limit aisle way adventures for toilet breaks and the occasional stretch.

Keeping your child entertain is half the battle, but here are a few pointers for an easier flight:

Make use of in flight entertainmentLoad up a tablet with your child’s favourite showsTake small and cheap toys on-board (ones you don’t mind loosing)Take snack (healthy ones, such as grapes, raisin, biscuits and oat bars. You will of course need to take on a treat or two, these are imperative bargaining tools!Take a jumper / shawl – if you’re lucky enough for your child to sleep during a flight, you’re already a pro! Flights however can get a little chilly and you’ll kick yourself if your child wakes due to a chill.Tantrums are all part and parcel of travelling with children. Don’t panic, its natural, what’s more you’ll be surprised at how many sympathisers are on-board.Ask for milk if you need it. Airlines sometimes stock cartons for little flyers and so make good use of this.

Younger flyers

If you’re travelling with a younger baby/ child, ensure that you request the front row on your flight. These rows are ‘reserved’ for families travelling with children. Not only will you all have extra leg room but long haul providers usually offer a bassinet facility. Your child can safely sleep, dance or sing their way to your destination whilst being securely strapped into their bassinet.

Some airlines offer bouncer style seating for children too big to fit into a bassinet but too young to fill a seat. We were fortunate to have one of these on route to Rio and boy did it make our flight comfortable!

Don’t forget that there are children living, breathing and doing just fine all over the world. If you’re worried about obtaining supplies (nappies, milk, food, toiletries etc) then don’t, unless you’re going well off the beaten track, that is! We travelled across the globe and not once did we struggle with any of the above. Keep a reserve in your bags for emergencies but you’ll truly be surprised at the number of imports available overseas.

Adaptability & Jet lag – children adapt. It’s that simple. If they’re tired they’ll sleep and if they’re hungry they’ll eat. That’s the basics covered. Of course travel is tiring for anyone, the getting to the airport early, waiting to board, flight itself, passing through immigration then finally reaching baggage claim is a long and drawn out process, even for a short haul flight. So when your child sleeps on board, take this opportunity to rest!! You can guarantee if you don’t that on reaching your accommodation, you child will be full of beans and ready to party! We found with our son that being unable to tell the time worked to our advantage. He simply slept when he was tired, no matter where, no matter when. He worked to his own cycle and adapted to new time zones with ease.

Flexibility -We quickly realised the importance of flexibility. You can’t travel and impose a strict routine on your child, not unless you want to be confined to your room from 7pm. Strict routines simply don’t work, but flexible ones do. Bare in mind that children will move at their own pace no matter how much you nag them. Try not to be too strict but set some boundaries.

We allowed Nathan to enjoy pretty much the same routine as us. We ate breakfast, lunch and dinner together. Snacks were optional for who ever wanted them. We’d head out in the morning, tick off a few activities then retire back to our accommodation for Nathan for surrender to his much needed afternoon nap. We used this time, to sleep, read, and plan for the next day. This afternoon nap allowed us to stay out and explore until late in the evening. We always took our stroller in the evening, and although a rarity (but it did happen), we’d find Nathan sound asleep.

Work and family commitments are always a reason to postpone travel plans but don’t let this stop you. Children are the happiest with those closest to them. They adapt, they thrive and they learn a wealth of knowledge that only world schooling can deliver. Take the risk, give it a go. If you don’t go, you simply won’t know!

Is there ever a right time to travel?

Is there ever a right time to travel?

Making that life changing decision is scary, believe us! Setting out with no real plan, a one way ticket and a toddler was daunting to say the very least and yes we doubted our plans and ourselves every step of the way. But the desire to step out of the 'work, eat, sleep, repeat' regime became more poignant following the arrival of our son and the need to embrace our lives and explore out of our comfort zone as a family became far greater and much more challenging than we thought.

As ordinary, working parents, we always dreamt of seeing the world; but we'd save that for retirement (or so society would dictate). We dredged through life, ticking along, ticking the right boxes, at the right time. It didn't occur to us to think any differently until one very stressful week at work. Looking back, we'd both spent the majority of our time working, bringing work home or staying late. We'd committed so much of our time to our employer and forgotten how precious this time with our son truly was. We'd talked about winning the lottery, how we would spend our winnings and what it would be like to live without worries. Travel was the one wish that came out on top, every single time.

I, (Dina) returned home from a very stressful week at work with a very clever idea: What if we were to just quit our (take a sabbatical – the sensible approach) & travel the world; as a family, making memories and embracing life?

Bursting through the door, I put this notion to Ricky, he pondered the thought and his response was far less then enthusiastic…"12 months is a long time".

OK then, 6 months? Let’s be honest any break from routine is better than none!

It didn't take long for Ricky to do a full 180 and he’d had a complete change of heart and within a matter of hours, the dream was fully endorsed.

Our reasoning, yes we had commitments, and yes we had a toddler but once our son was of schooling age, it's highly likely that we'd be settled for the next 18 years! At present, we had our health, we had the time and we had an opportunity that were weren't going to let go. We fully understood that this wasn't a life style that we could sustain forever (not once Nathan started school) and so for us this was our 'window' or window of opportunity (cliche). We either took it, or lived to question our decision for decades to come.

Sure, we were met with mixed opinions on our choice of lifestyle but for the most part the opinions were positive! In truth, it didn't matter what others felt about our plans, we had decided, it was right for us and we were going to at least 'try' and live out all or part of our dream together as a family.

Nathan was of course our biggest concern. Ultimately, everything, every plan, every activity, every decision revolved around his coping and his welfare. We accepted that although this was our dream, it may not be suitable for Nathan and so we left with an open mind set. We ensured that Nathan was in good health, had all the relevant immunisations and most importantly in good spirit. We set out on our adventure knowing that it would be a challenge but fully open to the idea of returning home earlier than planned if Nathan (or any of us) was not coping.

So in short, Yes! It's always a good time to travel. Let’s face it, there will always be responsibilities, work, educational and family commitments to contend with, that's just life! The trick is getting that balance, weighing up the pros and cons and intimately taking that giant leap. Don’t be afraid to live a life that others don’t understand. With a little planning and your family by your side, the world is truly your playground.

Few things to consider :

Where to go - (take into account seasons, festivals, weather and how this might affect your budget). For example, a trip to Rio during carnival will tick all of the above but everyone will want to cash in on the tourists and so prices will be hugely inflated.

Vaccinations - always get the most up to date information on what vaccinations you might need before you travel. Take into account that doctor’s surgeries usually have a 4-6 week wait on appointments! Alternatively, speed up the process & book privately. We purchased almost all of our appointments through MASTA Travel health https://www.masta-travel-health.com

Although a little expensive, they were quick, reliable & very informative

Funding - let's be honest travel can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be. There are the factors that you can't control like transportation which is likely to be your biggest expense. Airfare for sure was our biggest expenditure! But if you can be flexible with your dates and are willing to travel at ungodly hours, you're guaranteed to find the cheapest fares! The same applies to accommodation, try to avoid booking over the weekends or simply ask for a discount. You’ll be surprised at how much prices can vary when beds need to be filled.

Saving for your trip is a tough one, especially when you don’t have an ever increasing bank balance. Be innovative with your saving, quit the Starbucks, takeaways & bar bills; consider which countries you may even be able to work in; home in on all of your contacts living abroad and if your paths cross be sure to get in touch before you depart.

Weather - if you're planning a longer trip / world tour one thing you'll have to accept is that the weather won’t always be on your side! It's as simple as that. We found ourselves shivering in Brazil & stripping off in Ushuaia! But don't let the weather stop you!!! The weather can be unpredictable, but as the saying goes ‘a little rain didn't hurt anybody’, it just adds to the adventure.

Children - let's face it, children can be as unpredictable as the weather. Travelling before your child is of school age allows you the flexibility to explore for as long or as little as you want. You might think that your child won't cope but believe us, children are more adaptable than you think! Every child is different of course and so only you'll know best but why not try out a smaller trip & see just how they fare?

Ensure immunisations are up to dateAccept that tantrums are a way of lifeCompromising will turn into a fine artUse distraction to avoid tantrums from escalatingReward good behaviourDon’t be afraid to discipline when neededPeople are a lot more understanding then you think

Insurance – don’t scrimp out here! Travel insurance is the one thing that you can't buy abroad!!! (Unless you're happy to pay a premium). Save your money for this invaluable purchase! Make sure your insurance covers all the activities that you intend to do and includes emergency evacuation. Consider whether you are willing to pay an excess every time you need to claim. If you choose to limit or remove any excess charges, you are likely to pay a higher rate of insurance. We chose this approach and after 4 hospital visits, a stolen bag and medication costs, we were thankful that we did.

Tying up loose ends – Make a list and work through it. Some things you’ll even be able to manage from overseas. Here are some typical commitments that require your attention:

Bank – inform the bank of your intended travel, the last thing you want is for your card(s) to get blocked.

Bills – ensure that bills are paid or alternative funding such as direct debits are set up prior to departure

Subscriptions – cancel an unnecessary contracts such as Netflix, milk deliveries, car insurance, gym membership etc

Nursery – you usually need to give notice, so once your plans are confirmed inform your child care provider

Health Visitor – depending on the age of your child, he/she may require check-up. Inform the health visiting team of your intended travel so that they are aware.

Post – As boring as it may seem, you simply cannot over look your post. Entrust this job to a family member or friend, someone that is able to contact you in an emergency and someone that is on the ball! It’s likely that that majority of your post can be put aside until your return but you certainly don’t want to be met with unpaid fines or court notices on your return.

Essentials when travelling with children

As if packing for yourself wasn’t stressful enough, packing for a family can seriously bring on the white hairs! Every parent’s nightmare, is for their child to go without; for you to run out of supplies because the world as we know it would without a doubt come to a dramatic end! That’s certainly how we felt before we set off on our RTW trip. The truth is and you’ll be glad to know, that children not only exist, they thrive and well catered for all over the world. Supplies are plentiful and you’ll surprised at how many imports are available across the globe. Don’t worry, you’re most likely to pick up your regular band of nappies, or even satisfy your Nutella fix from the unlikeliest of places.

That said, preparation is key! Here are a few essentials to consider when travelling with children:

Insurance – don’t scrimp out here! Travel insurance is the one thing that you can't buy abroad!!! (Unless you're happy to pay a premium). Save your money for this invaluable purchase! Make sure your insurance covers all the activities that you intend to do and includes emergency evacuation. Consider whether you are willing to pay an excess every time you need to claim. If you choose to limit or remove any excess charges, you are likely to pay a higher rate of insurance. We chose this approach and after 4 hospital visits, a stolen bag and medication costs, we were thankful that we did.

Medication - you'll be surprised at just what medication is available abroad. No matter where in the world you go, (providing you're not too far off the beaten track), you'll find children and you'll find medication. The problem is however likely to be the language barrier! And so for peace of mind take the basics, Calpol, rehydration sachets, and constipation and diarrhoea remedies. A thermometer and plasters and multivitamins. All our common household item, readily available and invaluable when travelling.

Toys & books - buy cheap ones. You're guaranteed to lose them along the way! Bare in mind that children get bored easily, they always want what that other child has, even though they’ve got their own! So buying cheap toys and books throughout your journey allows you to offer a greater variety and children love this. Another advantage to this approach is that you won’t feel guilty leaving toys behind. We learnt this the hard way after having spent a fortune on toys and books. In the end we really our son more content in making friends and happily amused himself with the cheaper toys we bought along the way.

Pram/ stroller - even if your child can walk, you can guarantee that when you need them to, they won't! The advantages of having a stroller is that you won't be left 'holding the baby'. If you’re taking a stroller, use it to do the hard work! Hook your day bag or groceries onto the sides or underneath! Nowadays you can buy strollers that fold down into cabin size carry on.

Don't spend too much when buying a stroller to take travelling. It will come back on one piece ( just about). But don't be fooled into thinking it will be handled with care, it won't! Invest in a stroller that simply does the job; it’s likely you’ll need 4 wheels to best tackle different terrain; a hood for sun protection; umbrella (optional); but don’t forget that all important lean back function!

Car seats - depending on the type of trip you're taking a car seat could either be an essential part of your travel or a complete waste of effort! If you do plan on hiring a car check out the laws in your chosen destination and decide accordingly. Car seat hire is usually charged per day and can add to your costs significantly. If like us you're unsure of where you'll be heading next, you can usually buy a cheap car seat to use throughout the duration of your trip. Buying outright can sometimes work out much cheaper then hiring and the advantage of this is that the seat it yours to keep👍

Baby carrier - if your child is young enough to fit securely into a child carrier take full advantage of this! They are a life saver. Carrying your little ones on your back allows you to be hands free, a rare commodity when travelling with children. If this is your intentions then research and invest wisely. Our son travelled extensively in his Phil & Teds harness & didn't complain once (not for being in the harness at least)! Ensure your carrier has a canopy to block out the sun & equally a rain cover to protect from the occasional shower or down pour. Spend your money here and invest in quality. Our carrier had stirrups and a stand, this allowed us to keep Nathan in his harness whilst he slept without having to disturb him.

Clothing and footwear – don’t take too much. Account for varying weather but remember that children grow, especially their feet!

Invest in good quality shoes:

Hiking boots (ankle high) to offer maximum protectionDay shoes – with rubber gripBeach shoes – are so so important to protect against sharp objects and hot sandSandals – open toes are great to offer room to grow

Invest in protective swimwear

Ensure your child is always protected even when in the sea. Arm and shoulder coverage is essential even when overcast

Invest in eye protection

Sunglasses are essential to protect your child’s eyes from glare, not just the sun. We used Nathan’s sunglasses throughout our trip and in some surprising places! The glare from the salt flats in Bolivia and from the Glaciers in Argentina were blinding. Make sure you invest in proper protection for your child, with an SPF rating.

Clothing

You’ll be glad to know that clothing is readily available in most places. We wouldn’t recommend spending a fortune on a ‘holiday wardrobe’, the truth is that items get worn and washed and bleached from the sun.

Hats

Take several, you’ll lose them! If your child allows takes ones with neck protection, especially whilst at the beach.

Toiletries – Nappies were our biggest worry whilst travelling. We chose to leave potty training until our return as this allowed us to travel more freely and with ease. What we didn’t account for was the amount of space that nappies take up! The simple fact is that essentials such as nappies, lotions and potions are all very readily available across the globe. Given, that you may not get your usual brand but you’ll be surprised at the number of imports available. Take enough of whatever it is that you need to last you your journey and a day or so either side. And if you’re still not sure, keep a ‘reserve’ supply in your luggage.