When our eldest daughter was 2 months old, we were very much in need of a vacation. While we were worried about flying with such a small child, we took her to France anyway. This trip was soon followed by others, including to Spain, Malta and Great Britain, and many more. I am not even counting the visits to see extended family in Poland and Germany.
The travelling continued after we had our second daughter. She even celebrated her first birthday on a plane!
When we had our third child, we decided that travelling with three children is somewhat stressful, not to mention expensive. The last flight we took was months ago, to see my parents for Christmas.
However, that trip made me realize that all these years of travelling with children were not for nothing. The way we managed to handle three children without any problems still blows my mind and made me realise that it really gets easier with time.
We already have the experience. We just need patience.
20 Signs You Are A Travel-Experienced Family
1) You pack only 1 bag and one carry-on bag for five people.
2) It takes you five minutes to pack said bags.
3) You no longer arrive at the airport more than two hours prior to boarding.
4) You start taking off jackets, and other outdoor clothing as soon as you get your boarding passes because you're NOT going to be THAT family.
5) Or you have probably checked in online so you start taking off your jackets as soon as you start heading for security check.
6) You start being very nice to the airport employees, among others because you secretly envy them for working at such a cool place.
7) Your 4-year old can spell a few words, among others her name, her sister's name, your own name, and one or two airline brands.
8) You-and your children-know and love songs, poems, and stories about airplanes, trains, cars, and other means of transport.
9) Your children play "Going to another country" in your backyard.
10) Your children say they have many homes and one of them is a hotel.
11) When not traveling, you and your children spend your time watching airplanes -- both on -- and offline.
12) One of your biggest dreams is to fly in the pilot's cockpit.
13) Airports feel like home to you and you actually have a favorite airport.
14) You've been flying with your children since they were very small.
15) Your child knows the "Fasten your seatbelts and put your seat in an upright position" routine better than you do.
16) Your children think that airplane magazines, bags and the security guidelines are toys to play with.
17) One of your 2-year old first full sentences was "Airplane is flying."
18) Your children regularly say: "When will we go to..."?
19) They can tell you how to get to the airport, even if it involves multiple means of transport such as trams, trains or buses.
20) After coming back home you decide that traveling with three children isn't so bad and begin to think about a possible next journey.
This post was originally published on the European Mama.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.