My 3 year old has visited 32 countries AMA

[Dinoswearunderpants]

No doubt I'd get a load of shade about 'bragging' but that's not the intention. If anyone is interested in asking any questions about travelling regularly with a little own, feel free to ask.

I often travel just the two of us as his Dad can't get as much time off work as I do.

😂

And you do not have the moral right to continue unnecessary activities, to ridiculous excess, that we know are contributing to climate hell for others.
If pointing that out means that I am unpleasant and overbearing, then so be it. I would so rather be deemed to be that than to act like I am selfish, ignorant and immature.
To be honest, keep saying about ‘your rights’ makes you sound rather like a toddler throwing a tantrum.
I mean this as a serious suggestion; next year, why don’t you go to, say, Patna in India, find out what it’s like to have small children in 50 degree heat, which happened this year due to climate change. Then perhaps you can go back to your air conditioned hotel room and explain to your little one why you have a right to take him on all these flights.

Oh absolutely. There are countries being hit first and worst and I do believe that our lack of care about it is somewhat racist. It’s the new colonialism in my view. Controversial I know.

I do think in the UK some people think it will be fine, a bit warmer sounds kind of nice right? What they don’t fully comprehend is what it’s actually going to be like. Warmer, yes. But also wetter and wilder. We are already seeing people’s homes flooded, increased mortality and disease, higher food prices. The fires we have seen in Europe will come here too. It’s happening already.

Anyway, I’m starting to rant and you know all this anyway! I am just so sad, depressed and frustrated that people aren’t well enough informed. If you read the DM you’d think there was no issue. It’s only if you search out good sources of information the true horror unfurls. And most people don’t.

@Headinthesand21

If living my life the way I want to is immature, so be it.
You're going to continue living your life your way, as I will mine. Neither of us are wrong in doing that.

I hear you but it’s unrealistic to believe that a world of people is going to stop flying out of guilt. It’s better to look at other potential solutions (e.g. green fuel, which is in development; electrification of aircraft; carbon offsetting, which is flawed but still something). Tourism is one of the biggest global industries. The money it brings into some economies is helping to fuel climate change solutions. There’s a balance to be struck. And I would argue that most people I know are making small changes that suit their lifestyle (for me, giving up meat) but one person can’t do it alone. One big criticism of environmental messaging is that it places the onus of systemic change on individual choices, when industry and government holds most of the decarbonising power. EVs for example are only becoming ubiquitous because the government is working to hit targets. It’s not that the UK collectively woke up one day and decided to go electric.

If I had the money, time and a younger child I would train it. I’d travel for a good few months and visit lots of different places. I love travelling and seeing new places. We are thinking of a Europe train trip next year. A friend has done Croatia and Scandinavia by train but older DC than OP.

Ignorant?
Time zones, long haul flights, travel vaccinations and tropical diseases are all facts, not made up. And I’m the one that’s ignorant….

It’s true we need stronger legislation but it’s not true that individuals can’t make a difference. If a million people cut their carbon by a ton, that’s a million tons cut.

I think, like any moral issue, some will care and some will not. Once I knew the facts I couldn’t knowingly contribute to the problem any more. I knew that when my child grows up I want to look them in the eye and be able to say that I did my best. That’s the bottom line for me. The thought of fielding their questions when they grow up and realise the true scale of it all.

@AmberFawn

the risks of all those things is very small though tbf.

the risk of being in a car accident is much higher. Should Op stop driving then do you think?

My friends DC were 1 and 4 at the time. Though I don't think my wild animals DC would cooperate that young! I guess it's doable for some super parents 😅

Aye, right. I wonder how people create confident adaptable 3 year olds otherwise 🤔

Exposing your child to these things is choice, taking your child in a car somewhere because it’s an essential mode of transport are two completely different things and hardly comparable.

Oh, I used to just keep mine in a box.

🤣
I kept mine in 32 different boxes, they are so adaptable and confident now.

I'm not jealous at all, I'd love to be able to afford maybe 2 good holidays a year, although I would be worried about the climate impact of that, but I think 10+ holidays a year sounds like hell to be honest.

You haven't answered my questions about how on earth you make a living if you're on holiday every month.

There's 2 possible suggestions I can think of:

1. You are only visiting countries for your normal days off so rarely more than 3 days at a time which means that for a long haul destination you're spending more time travelling than actually being there.
2. You are able to work remotely and are working on holiday, which leads me to wonder who is looking after 3 yo?

I also asked how it feels when you have a few days or a weekend just at home being, with your son and your DH, with nowhere to go and nothing in particular to do?

TF are ‘moral rights’? She absolutely has the right to travel where she chooses to, your approval isn’t required.

Nope, I remember holidays from the age of four. Loved it then as much as I love it now - travelling as a child definitely instilled that in me.

And my point was that OP does it because she can afford it and wants to do it. That’s all the reason she needs. It may not work for you but the good news is that it doesn’t have to.

I think the time is approaching where it will be embarrassing to say you go on multiple holidays abroad,

And no, I am not jealous. Travelling with a 3 year old sounds hell to me. I could afford it, but I haven’t taken a holiday abroad for years, largely because I genuinely feel that it isn’t justifiable any more

Seconded! I hate the way "you're just jealous" gets trotted out all the time on MN. I think the problem is that some parents tell their children "if so-and-so doesn't like you, (s)he must just be jealous" to spare their feelings, and the children grow up believing any criticism they receive must stem from jealousy.

Four sounds about right. The average age at which the brain begins to store lasting memories about 3.5 years (I think?).

I was going to ask you about Mauritius as that’s in my 2025 plans!

we’ve just been to Singapore with my 6yo. I totally recommend the art and science museum. It’s full of rooms with lights and kids love it (&grown ups :)) my son dealt with jet lag better than me (so did he when we went to America )

No, I've never bought from those unethical companies you mentioned and yes drive an electric car. You're next ridiculous comment??

Sounds amazing Op, I’m very jealous! What is your favourite destination for a beach holiday and favourite for a city break?

Ditto.

What do you mean 'they're already going' they don't fly empty if the customers don't buy the seats fgs!

Educating a 3 yr old?? This thread is insane