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.

Following on from that, you do realize that your 3 year old will be the generation that is going to suffer massively due to the climate crisis don't you?

Sounds absolutely fantastic!

I'm jealous, I'm terrified of flying so couldn't do this.

So for my morbid curiosity, have you ever been on a rough/scary flight.

I fully expected all the climate change comments. I assume they are all coming from sustainability Queens who never buy from places such as Shein/Temu and either drive an electric car or better still, cycle everywhere.

People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones...

You know that's not really possible though right? It's marginally better than nothing, but you can't actually offset a flight.

Bless you. Have you considered any hypnosis?

In all honesty, I have. When we were landing in Madeira I thought we were going to crash. It was when my little one was a lap infant and I remember crying into his head.

The runway is very short and they have to make a sharp turn to land. The pilot was turning and descending but changed their mind about landing so they accelerated and went up mid turn. It was crazy!

If you weren't on board, the aircraft would weigh less and wouldn't use as much fuel.

Carbon offset is all very well, but that aircraft (and all the thousands of others in the air at any given point) are pumping their exhaust gases directly into our upper atmosphere. Those fumes are not comprised entirely of carbon. Planting some trees isn't going to cancel that out.

Not to mention contrails. They make the skies cloudier than they would be if there were no aircraft up there, and that has a global effect on the temperature of the planet. If you don't believe me, it is all there in the meteorological reports after all flights were cancelled for several days after 9/11. The effect on the weather was startling and extremely rapid.

Where's next on your list, OP?

I've done 35 countries so far. I avoid flying where possible, do a 'big summer trip' where I fly out to a country, use buses and trains to travel around nearby other countries, then fly back. Have you ever considered a bigger, multi country trip/have you done this with your DC?

I agree with you
Carbon offset is all very well, but that aircraft (and all the thousands of others in the air at any given point) are pumping their exhaust gases directly into our upper atmosphere. Those fumes are not comprised entirely of carbon. Planting some trees isn't going to cancel that out.

Its all rubbish - if less people travelled then there would be fewer planes in the sky.
There is no reason that a toddler needs to have been on 64 planes in their short life. This is just a 'bragging' thread - well done you

Your 3yo will not have any memories of it unfortunately (talking here from my own experience and those of my dcs)

So it’s all about your own pleasure.

What do you get from spending a few days in a different place each time?
ive always found you dint really learn anything from the place in that time.

Personally, after having done travelling and living in a different country, it now feels nearly like unhealthy curiosity.

When we were landing in Madeira I thought we were going to crash. It was when my little one was a lap infant and I remember crying into his head.

That's what you're supposed to do when you have a little one and the plane is going down! I often think about the mother on the 'Hudson river landing' plane who handed her baby to the stranger sitting next to her. That's just the oddest reaction I think.

We've got a few trips still planned for this year including Orlando, Singapore, Bali and France.

That's amazing OP. I'd love to have done the same but didn't have the finances, plus possibly a lack of confidence as a first time mum.

Do you ever get bored though, or regret not having been somewhere as a family? Or do you just go back to such places with DH as well? I guess 32 countries is a lot so does it ever feel a bit samey or meaningless?

Also how do you feel your 3 year old has benefitted? Do you see major differences between him and others his age? Does he miss out on nursery/playgroups etc as a result or do you take him to playgroups abroad ever?

Sorry loads of questions!

Another one scared of flying here. I’ve not flown since having children in 2019 I’m just too scared!

I think the lady handing the baby to a stranger of the river Hudson landing was an odd reaction but probably some sort of fight or flight response

My 3YO might not remember the specific places but we can speak about the places we've been in the future.

It's also allowed him to develop so much. He interacts well with others. He is adaptable to change. He eats pretty much all foods. It's been incredible for his development.

It is absolutely for my pleasure. Would I rather deal with a tantum on a beach in Bali rather than the local park, absolutely :-P

God I never heard of that. No one would I have let him go. It was a horrible experience. I guess everyone deals with things differently.

Good for you op...it sounds bloody amazing!

My question is, when your ds starts school, what are you going to do? Take him out at term time for holidays or only take him away during the school hols?

Oh dear!

I've had hypnosis for something else and it didn't work for me at all

So many great questions.

Every trip we take without DH just isn't the same. We'd love him to be with us but he has other commitments too.

I don't get bored but sometimes it was hard not having adult conversations.

It doesn't feel samey at all. Each place is different and we always see the beauty in the places we visit.

He currently goes to a childminders so he doesn't miss out. He gets to swim most days, explores new parks, interacts with other kids at kids club so he has a great time.

I think it's really helped his development. He is so adaptable to change.

Genuine question, but what are you trying to achieve for him? I think travel is great and very educational for dc, but taking a 1 year old to Jamaica for his birthday seems a bit mad. He won't remember it or benefit from it in any way. Are you sure these trips aren't really for you, but you're trying to justify it for yourself?

As a fellow frequent traveler I'm interested to know the breakdown of 32 different countries in 3 years? That's an average of one new country every month. Have you taken one overseas trip every month of your child's life or did you do some extended place-to-place travel?

Another question, is all of the travel for you or your child? You must realise that he won't remember anything yet at such a young age so it must be for your benefit, in which case aren't you tempted to travel without him sometimes?

Sadly it will slow us down. I might allow him the occasional Monday/Friday off school for a city break.

By being away, he learns so much. We each him little bits of the language and he swims lots so I think that's great.

When he's older though I will give him the choice. If he says he doesn't want to go away then we won't.

I’d like to say I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you travelling for yourself and taking your toddler along. So what if they don’t remember

Air pollution

What I'm trying to achieve is spending quality time together. He is such a confident swimmer. He interacts so well with others. It's all brilliant life skills.

Of course the trips are for me too. I never once said they were all for him. I love being away in a nice new place. Meeting new people. Enjoying good food/drink. Who wouldn't love all of that.

You didn’t answer this one, OP.