Travelling has always been an anxiety-inducing experience for me, especially when my children are in tow. It has been ages since we last jetted off as a family, so the thought of navigating an airport once again – this time with little ones and luggage in tow – was both exciting and overwhelming.
Recently, however, my mother insisted on dragging my children and me on a shopping trip to Guangzhou, China, along with my father, stepmother and youngest sister. It was a journey that was just as much about family bonding as it was about retail therapy.
That said, I’ve always preferred sightseeing over the hustle and bustle of shopping, so the experience was certainly an interesting one. The trip had its fair share of chaos, but also moments of joy, making it an experience to remember.
Admittedly, the last time I travelled with my two children, they were just one year old and four months old – an experience that, in hindsight, felt far easier. Now, with them at seven and five years old, the dynamics have completely changed. Here’s what I’ve learned from this latest adventure.
THE ART OF PREPAREDNESS
One of the biggest lessons I learned on the trip was definitely to be prepared for anything – and I mean anything.
Travelling with children is, as I’ve said earlier, a delicate balance between excitement and chaos, and a test of patience, resourcefulness, and also one’s ability to predict the unpredictable.
No matter how much planning goes into the trip, there will always be something unexpected – a sudden hunger pang at the worst possible moment, a lost favourite toy that triggers a full-scale meltdown, or the desperate need for a toilet break just as you’re about to board.
The first rule of survival? Snacks are your best friend. I quickly realised that hungry children are grumpy children, and no one wants to be dealing with a tantrum at 30,000 feet or in the middle of a crowded shopping district.
Having a variety of snacks – both healthy options and the occasional treat – was an absolute lifesaver. Something as simple as a small packet of biscuits or a box of raisins could distract them long enough to make it through a long queue or an airport security check.
Additionally, we were going into a country that does not have a lot of choices in terms of halal eateries, so packing your own dry food to cook when you’re there is a must. Bring along a small multipurpose cooker. That will definitely be your saving grace.
Entertainment was another crucial element. Long flights, airport transits, and even lengthy restaurant waits can feel like an eternity for little ones.
While I tried to limit screen time, I found that having a tablet loaded with their favourite movies, games, and audiobooks was a necessary backup.
Colouring books, sticker pads and small puzzles also proved invaluable, especially for my second child who loves to draw. It gives them a creative outlet while keeping their hands and minds occupied. However, I also learned the hard way that relying on a single form of entertainment is risky, especially when you have a daily limit of 2GB on roaming data.
Lesson learned: always have alternatives.
Packing wisely was another game-changer. I thought I had packed efficiently, but I quickly realised that travelling with young children means being prepared for every possible situation.
A spare change of clothes for each child – and myself – was absolutely non-negotiable, especially after an unfortunate episode of car sickness during one of our taxi rides. My second child, overcome by nausea, turned my trousers and backpack into unwilling casualties of projectile vomiting.
In that moment, all I could do was apologise profusely to the taxi driver while scrambling to clean the seats as best as I could.
Wet wipes became my most-used travel item, proving useful for everything from sticky hands to impromptu clean-ups. Hand sanitiser was another must-have, particularly when navigating public transport or eating out.
And then there was the issue of public toilets – most of which were squat-style with no water source for washing after use. I quickly learned that having nappies on hand and those portable bidet bottles was another definite lifesaver for unexpected toilet emergencies.
When the nearest proper toilet was too far or too inconvenient, having an emergency backup meant avoiding unnecessary stress for both me and the kids.
STAYING COMFORTABLE ON THE JOURNEY
Then there was the matter of comfort. Children don’t always cope well with new environments, and something as simple as bringing along a familiar blanket, stuffed animal, or pillow made all the difference in helping them settle down, especially during flights or when adjusting to a new hotel room.
I constantly had to remind myself that my children weren’t accustomed to walking long distances for extended periods.
One particularly exhausting incident saw me carrying my firstborn on piggyback as she drifted off to sleep from sheer exhaustion. It was a struggle, to say the least, and a clear lesson learned.
Note to self: bring a lightweight stroller next time – no matter how old they think they are, little legs can only go so far!
Most importantly, I learned that flexibility is key. No matter how well I planned, things didn’t always go according to schedule.
Sometimes, we had to slow down, adjust our plans, or take a break when the children needed it.
And in those moments – watching them explore a new place at their own pace, marvelling at something I might have overlooked – it became clear that the best travel memories aren’t always the ones we plan for, but the ones that happen unexpectedly. – Izah Azahari
