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23. December 2024
When my husband Mike and I first announced that we were bringing our 10-month-old son Deacon on a two-week European vacation, we received a mix of reactions from friends and family. Some thought it was the perfect timing – after all, babies at this age are typically easier to travel with – while others warned us about the challenges of navigating unfamiliar cities with a stroller and an unpredictable toddler.
We had always been open to traveling with our children, even before Deacon’s arrival, and we wanted to experience Europe together as a family. Our first big adventure was a road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles when Deacon was just two months old. We invested in a sturdy stroller, the Babyzen Yoyo, which has become a trusted companion on many of our travels since then.
The stroller’s smooth ride and compact design made it perfect for navigating cobblestone streets and fitting into overhead bins. To ensure a smooth trip, we called ahead to book our accommodations and make arrangements for baby-friendly services like bassinets on long-haul flights and car seats in Dublin. We also alternated using a carrier and stroller to keep Deacon happy and comfortable during the journey.
One unexpected challenge we faced was navigating Europe’s different power outlets and wattage differences with my breast pump. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring the adapter, and it ended up being fried by the European outlet. However, Deacon kept me occupied during those few days, and I was grateful for the opportunity to breastfeed him.
As we explored Ireland, the UK, and France, we discovered that Europe is more child-friendly than many Americans might expect. London’s parks and green spaces were a haven for Deacon, and he even enjoyed swinging on swings in the city’s many playgrounds. In contrast, Paris was our biggest challenge – the ancient architecture made navigating with a stroller and changing diapers a bit of an adventure.
Despite these differences, Europe’s positive attitude toward children and families is what drew us to this destination. The cultural norm of bringing kids to bars and restaurants made us feel welcome and at ease. And while Paris was our biggest test, the culture’s emphasis on making parents feel welcome and accommodating ultimately won out.
Our experience in Europe taught us that we don’t have to put our lives on hold when it comes to traveling with kids. In fact, Deacon’s presence added a new layer of joy and spontaneity to our adventures. Whether we were trying falconry or simply taking breaks at cafes, Deacon was the perfect travel companion.
Fast-forward to 2022, when we took our 17-month-old daughter on a road trip around Atlanta, Savannah, and Charleston. While it’s tougher to travel with two kids now, we’ve learned that staycations and outings with our children are just as valuable – if not more so – than big vacations.
Looking back, our European adventure was one of the best trips we’ve ever taken – and it’s all thanks to Deacon’s presence in our lives. We’ll always treasure the memories we made together as a family, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for our little travelers.