Is too much travel damaging to young children?

[User3962]

For reasons outside our control we have moved house 3 times in the past year. We also welcomed a second child. So there’s been a lot of change for my toddler. They seem to have coped well.

We have been planning to spend a couple of months overseas this year visiting extended family (we’d be staying in one place the whole time), but I’m concerned about the impact of all this moving and change on my toddler. However, It’s the only chance we will get to spend this length of time with my DC’s grandparents who live abroad so it’s now or never.

Is another change of ‘home’ (albeit temporary) too much to ask? Or is the benefit if time with extended family worth it? I’m torn!

I think it sounds like a lovely opportunity. At that age, they don’t have friends or school that link them to stayin one spot. You are their main source of consistency. As long as you are an engaged present parent, they have what they need at home. The actual house itself doesn’t matter. Go and enjoy!

I think DC are adaptable at that age, especially if they're already used to moving around.

We 'combined households' and spent Covid lockdowns 1 and 3 living with my parents as we each wanted to support the other. DD was 2.5 during lockdown 1. I don't feel as though there's been a lasting impact.

A settled home and location becomes much more important once you're in the school system so I'd vote for doing the traveling while you can!

It will be fine, but you might want to make an extra effort to create some part of the continuity that DC would naturally have if you stayed in one place. For example, same high chair, same plates and cups, same books and toys. That way their familiar 3-metre-radius world is travelling with them even as the view out of the window changes. Maybe get spares of items that could be lost during moves.

Definitely worth it. A great experience for all your family. Have a wonderful time.