Before we had our daughter, my wife and I were already hooked on travel. I’d explored Europe and South Africa on vacation, and spent time in Asia and the Middle East during my Navy days. My wife hadn’t seen as much of the world yet, but once we started traveling together, we were all in.
So when we found out we were expecting, friends gave us that look.
“Well, kiss travel goodbye.”
We smiled and said: “Hold my beer.”
From day one, we wanted our daughter to grow up with a passport in hand, not just for fun, but to see real people, real cultures, and real history. We believed it would help her appreciate others for who they are, not where they’re from or how much money they make.
We wanted her to be adaptable, open-minded, and kind and travel was our way of helping her grow into that kind of human.
Starting Young: Diapers, Delays, and a First-Class Nap
We started early. Really early. Her first road trip was at 6 weeks old, down the coast to Monterey, CA. We brought enough diapers, wipes, and outfits to last a month… for a three-day trip. There were lots of stops for crying and feeding, but we made it through. And we learned fast.
At 9 weeks, we flew to Puerto Vallarta for her first international adventure. The staff at the all-inclusive resort fell in love with her, and bonus, she slept through the night for the first time ever. We didn’t want to leave. On the way home, we were upgraded to first class and she chilled in her car seat like a mini VIP.
💡 Pro Tip: When flying with small children, always buy them their own seat and bring their car seat onboard. It’s familiar, comfortable, and safer. Plus, it makes the flight easier for everyone.
⚠️ Heads up: Some airlines, especially budget carriers in Europe, don’t allow you to purchase a seat for kids under 2. We ran into that ourselves and couldn’t convince them to budge, even after calling.
Of course, not every trip was smooth. She once spit up on my wife’s shirt right before a 14-hour flight from Australia. We had backup clothes for the baby, but not for us. My wife flew across the Pacific wearing Eau de Milk. Classic rookie move.
And trying to get her to nap on planes? Forget it. She’d be wide awake the entire flight, only to fall asleep five minutes before landing. Every. Time.
Little Explorer, Big Personality
By the time she was three or four, she’d walk through airports asking where the next gate was, and then lead the way.
She may not remember every early trip, but some moments are etched into her memory: like when we checked into our hotel in Paris and the front desk gave her an Eiffel Tower lollipop. Pure magic.
We believe travel has shaped her in real, lasting ways. She’s easygoing, flexible, curious, and always the first to compliment someone whether it’s a flight attendant or a kid she just met.
“I’m Allergic to Economy”
She’s also developed a, let’s say, refined taste for comfort.
She’s always traveled well (not spoiled, just well taken care of). Once, while boarding a flight that was decidedly not in business class, she coughed and said:
“I’m allergic to economy.”
I genuinely fear for her future partners.
What Travel Has Given Us
We’ve done SCUBA dives together. Hiked, skied, snorkeled with sharks. Made chocolate in Belize. Laughed over tacos in Mexico. Wandered through museums and markets. These shared adventures have brought us closer as a family.
For me, travel with her has been a gift. I get to see the world through her eyes, the joy of dog sledding in Alaska, the excitement of whitewater rafting in Costa Rica. It’s one of the best things about being a dad.
Yes, my wife and I have taken a few adult trips on our own. But honestly? We’d rather bring her. And she’d never forgive us if we went to Bali or the Maldives without her.
If You’re On the Fence
To the parents who say “it’s too hard” — yeah, sometimes it is. There are meltdowns, picky eaters, and jet lag. It’s not always easy. But the rewards? They’re off the charts.
We’ve had experiences we never would’ve had without her. Like rappelling into a cenote in Mexico — something we booked because we knew she’d love it, and we ended up loving it even more.
To the families who say “it’s too expensive” — it can be. But if travel is a priority, you make it work. Budget. Save. Use points. Start small. You don’t have to fly to Brazil or Bali on day one. Go to Yosemite. Yellowstone. The Smokies.
We could live in a bigger house. Drive newer cars.
But instead, we choose to collect memories — not stuff.
What About You?
If you’ve traveled with your kids — or are thinking about starting — I’d love to hear your stories.
What lessons have you learned on the road?
Drop them in the comments or DM me on Instagram @GFRTravel.
Let’s keep raising kind, curious, flexible kids — one boarding pass at a time. 🛫
