7 Reasons Traveling With Kids Is Different

If I had a dollar for every piece of useless (and unsolicited) travel advice I received from a single man with no kids, I would be rich. Really, I would. For some reason, the single travelers of this hobby think their advice applies to everyone, and that people with kids are simply “doing it wrong” based on the way we plan our trips.

Some of the ridiculous advice I’ve received (against my will and without asking) includes:

“You should never fly economy overseas!”

“Stay in a hostel so you can get the full experience!”

“You don’t need a hotel booked ahead of time. Just show up and wing it!”

“Never book guided tours! It’s much better to just explore on your own.”

“You booked an airport pickup? You should always take the train!”

People mean well for sure, but the single person who has never traveled with kids seems to be the worst demographic when it comes to offering advice that isn’t feasible in the real world.

If you are a traveler without kids, that’s fine. I totally get it because I travel without my kids all the time. But, please remember that those of us with kids do things differently to maintain our sanity and our budgets. Here’s why:

• More people = more money or miles. Flying everyone in business class sounds like a lot of fun, but none of us have an airline mile tree in our backyards. It might be easy to always fly business when you’re a single traveler, but it’s a lot harder when you’re a family of four. Try racking up 4x the miles for every flight if you want to see what I mean. We always fly economy for this reason.
• Parents don’t always have the time (or desire) to churn gift cards or MS. A lot of people who say you should fly business do have a lot of points and miles because they spend their time seeking out extra earning opportunities like gift card resale and buying and reselling. People with kids are less likely to manufacture spending because they don’t have time.
• “Winging it” with kids isn’t always fun. Arriving in a foreign destination and winging it can be a lot of fun. There’s something exciting about not having plans and seeing where the day takes you. With kids though, it’s not nearly as carefree and it can actually be a nightmare. Most people with kids want to have a hotel lined up and a general idea of their plans. This helps them plan naps and meal times and keep everyone happy, which is essential if you want to enjoy the trip.
• Parents may want to spend time with their kids instead of concentrating on the logistics. I am a big offender when it comes to booking guided tours. I have booked guided tours several days long as well as numerous group day trips in the many places we’ve traveled. I book guided tours so I can have fun and enjoy the experience with my kids without worrying about the logistics or driving. So yes, I book excursions through Chase Ultimate Rewards like it’s my part-time job and I have no regrets. #Sorrynotsorry
• Not every trip needs to be educational or cultural. Another frequent comment some parents get is about the type of travel they choose. Whether it’s booking cruises or all-inclusive resorts, a lot of people think those trips aren’t as valuable. Personally, I love all-inclusive resorts and I am starting to love cruising. It’s fun to book an easy trip with your kids where all you have to do is show up and enjoy the ride. Not every trip needs to be educational or cultural. Sometimes you just want to play on the beach with your kids and relax.
• Your hotel criteria changes. When you have kids, you no longer select your hotel based on which one costs the fewest number of hotel points or which will help you keep your status. You choose a hotel where you think you might get some sleep, or one where your kids can sleep in a separate room. You might look for other criteria too, such as proximity to attractions since little legs get tired easily. You probably want free breakfast too, if at all possible.
• Some money-saving strategies can be hell on Earth when you have kids. Sometimes the best ways to save on travel don’t work well when you have kids. Taking the train from the airport to your hotel may sound like a smart way to save, but it can be a nightmare when you have kids, several stops, and several suitcases, for example. Saving money isn’t worth it when everyone is miserable, but sometimes we have to learn that the hard way.

The Bottom Line

Traveling with kids is different, and parents have to make decisions that keep everyone in the group happy — not just them. Of course, some parents do things the same way with kids as they do when they’re alone. It’s up to each of us to decide what we’re comfortable with and what ensures we all have fun and stay sane.

But, the next time you open your mouth to tell a parent they’re doing it wrong, remember that you may not know what it’s like until you’ve been there.

 

Do you think traveling with kids is different? Why or why not?