Is traveling with my child different than it used to be? Yes – in the best way.

We’re currently deep in planning mode for our big family trip this year, and I can’t wait. Not just because we’ll get to explore a new culture and take some needed time away from work, but because we’ll experience it all alongside our daughter, who will soon be three.

I know traveling with young kids might feel overwhelming. Does it add stress? Absolutely. Do I need to think about toddler-friendly schedules, nap routines, and constantly packing snacks? Definitely. Am I too much of a control freak to let my husband handle the packing? Yes, a hundred percent.

But here’s the beautiful surprise I've discovered: traveling with a toddler brings a unique kind of magic. It slows us down and opens our eyes to details we would’ve rushed past before, seeing places with completely fresh eyes.

This became incredibly clear during our Europe trip last year, when we visited Germany and the Netherlands. Everything we experienced felt heightened — not just because we were abroad, but because we were seeing the world through our daughter’s eyes. Suddenly, playgrounds were as exciting as landmarks, an ice cream shop felt as special as a famous museum, and chasing pigeons became a highlight of our afternoon.

Traveling with a young child has also taught me about rest in ways I didn't expect. Before having our daughter, my husband and I would pack every minute of our itinerary. But in Europe, naps and daily downtime became essential. Midday breaks at parks became routine. Early nights gave us space to quietly reflect on the day’s adventures while our daughter slept. It wasn’t a vacation — no lounging on a beach without responsibilities — but somehow, it was rejuvenating in a totally different way. For the first time after two weeks of travel, I felt like I could keep going indefinitely.

What I love even more is how traveling with a toddler grounds us in the real, daily life of the places we visit. We didn’t just see famous landmarks — we wandered local grocery stores, discovered hidden neighborhood parks, and had genuine interactions with locals. Our daughter’s curiosity brought us close to people we never would’ve connected with otherwise.

I remember clearly a moment after lunch in an open plaza: my daughter was done eating and eager to run around, so we went exploring. She saw a man placing packages into a mailbox and stopped to watch. Initially, it felt awkward—were we intruding? But the man noticed us, smiled, and invited her to help him put a package inside. We couldn’t communicate with words, but the shared moment was incredibly sweet.

Of course, it’s not always smooth sailing. On our last night in Amsterdam, at the end of an exhausting day, I made a less-than-perfect decision. There was a restaurant I'd been eager to try, not realizing it was far too fancy and definitely not toddler-friendly. Our stroller barely fit through the entrance, the high chair was more decorative than functional, and the food wasn’t suitable for a tired toddler. We ended up taking turns, stepping outside with our restless daughter, and honestly feeling more stressed than relaxed.

Whenever I share stories about traveling with our daughter, I see a mix of curiosity and hesitation from other parents. And I always try to emphasize this: traveling as a family isn’t mandatory, and it certainly doesn't define good parenting. Every family is unique, with different priorities, resources, and preferences. Matt and I recently took a couples-only trip to a friend’s wedding, and it was exactly what we needed at that time. Every season of parenting calls for something different.

Right now, with one child, traveling feels manageable, even joyful. If our family grows, we might shift gears — road trips instead of flights, shorter getaways rather than extended trips abroad. Traveling will continue to evolve with us, and that’s exactly as it should be.

Ultimately, what I've learned from traveling with our toddler is that it teaches me as much about myself and our family as it does about the places we visit. Every trip — whether by plane, train, boat, or car — brings us closer, grounds us in the present, and leaves us changed. It's rarely restful, but it's profoundly rewarding — and that's exactly why we keep doing it.