Why do we travel with little ones, again?

An honest reflection of our beautifully chaotic recent getaway

I'm writing this just after putting our toddler down for his afternoon nap. We're in Normandy for a short getaway during the April vacances, having started our journey with a quick detour to Giverny to visit Monet's home and gardens before continuing on the 1.5-hour drive to the coastal towns of Deauville and Trouville.

I’ll admit… our 19-month-old has hit a bit of a rough patch lately. We’ve been going back and forth, wondering if it’s the aftermath of a recent ear infection, teething, or just another developmental leap—complete with less-than-pleasant side effects like tantrums that nothing seems to soothe. But this phase has inevitably made our trip more turbulent than usual, and therefore has prompted me to write this post.

For those of us brave enough to venture away from home with little ones, there always seem to be chaotic moments along the way that make us question, “Wait, why are we doing this again?” Whether it’s the glass that always seems to spill, or a full-blown toddler meltdown, there are incidentals that come with family travel that no amount of planning or attention can fully prevent.

Still, we strapped both kids into their car seats, hit the road, turned on some tunes, and crossed our fingers for a smooth start. And to our surprise, it unfolded just as we hoped: a peaceful car nap. But it didn’t take long for our perfectly timed plan to start unraveling.

The tantrums kicked in as they have been lately, starting with his refusal to sit in the stroller, demanding to walk instead. Which would be fine, if not for the crowds, the cobblestone steps, and the fact that he refuses to hold our hands (apparently, we’re already not cool).

To add to it, there were lines. Many lines. Long lines. And it’s no secret that lines and little kids just don’t mix well. (Side note: luckily I had purchased tickets ahead of time because the line to enter without tickets was very, very long. Be sure to book ahead if you plan to visit Giverny one day!)

Finally, after braving the winding line through the gardens, we made it into Monet’s house. But guess who had no interest in going inside once we got there? Our toddler. The moment we stepped through the door, he launched into a full-blown meltdown. The added pressure of knowing that the people around us had likely traveled far and waited just as long for this once-in-a-lifetime visit only made the situation more tense. Thankfully, for everyone’s sake, we eventually managed to settle him.

There’s a phrase parents often repeat after traveling with kids: “We need a vacation from our vacation.” Or the ever-relatable: “Taking kids on vacation is really just parenting in a different place.”

So… why do we do it then?

Like any kind of travel—whether with children or not—challenges inevitably arise: a cancelled flight, lost luggage, an underwhelming stay, or something else entirely. No matter how much we try to control the outcome, some things will always be beyond our control.

I know many parents who choose to opt out of travel, or even dining out with their little ones, simply because they (understandably) expect the worst. But amidst the chaos, the challenges, and the discomfort, there are always beautiful moments woven in. And honestly, even the hard moments often become the stories we look back on with laughter, or at the very least, a bit of perspective.

Another common question that comes up when traveling with little ones is: “Why bother if they won’t even remember?”

Of course, our toddler won’t remember the tantrum he threw in Monet’s house, or the older French woman who shushed him in the (kid-friendly) museum. He won’t remember the sandcastles he built (and immediately destroyed) with his older sister, or the balls he threw across the mini golf course. But I believe that these early experiences—exploring new environments, being exposed to different sights and ways of being—leave an imprint, whether they remember them or not.

I can confidently say that much of the reason we travel is for them—to offer them new perspectives, to stretch their little worlds, to create memories that may fade but still shape who they’re becoming.

By the end of the trip, I’m happy to report that our five-year-old had the absolute best time and is already asking when we can go back. Now that she’s at an age where she’s beginning to understand and appreciate these experiences, it feels even more worthwhile, and I’m excited to watch how her view of the world continues to expand.

I love the saying: Their childhood is our parenthood. While we do so many things for them, we also do it for us— to create memories with them and to experience new places for ourselves too. Every trip is a learning experience, but traveling with kids has a way of amplifying it— stretching our patience, perspective, and sense of presence in ways nothing else quite does.

I’d love to hear your experiences too, if you travel with little ones, or have in the past!

As always, thank you for reading and until next week,

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P.S. I will be sharing a full recap soon of all of our Deauville & Trouville highlights! Subscribe not to miss it.