By: Sophia Langston
Updated: Feb. 11, 2021
Originally Published: Feb. 9, 2018
A week after enduring a challenging flight across the Atlantic with my two young children, aged 4 and 15 months, I’m just beginning to regain my sense of normalcy. Traveling with little ones can be a daunting experience, and I thought I was well-equipped for it. I’ve navigated the world of parenting and travel before, even creating a community dedicated to it when my first child was 18 months old.
Our group consists of 6,000 parents from all over, sharing daily insights about the joys and challenges of traveling with children. We trade tips, local insights, and support each other, which is critical in today’s parenting landscape—whether we’re on the road or at home.
The day after my exhausting trip, I shared my story with my community and was overwhelmed by the support from hundreds of fellow parents. It became clear that many of us are struggling with the modern travel experience, particularly for families. Why is it that the U.S. often feels less accommodating for families at airports compared to other countries? In many places, expectant mothers and families with small children enjoy priority treatment, while in the U.S., the experience can be a total ordeal.
Upon returning home, I felt as if I had just emerged from battle. The night before our journey, my mother jokingly suggested I might want to wear a bathing suit for the trip with the kids, a suggestion I wish I had taken more seriously. I flew solo with my two children from Paris to Chicago, with a layover in Philadelphia—a decision I regrettably made due to budget constraints.
The eight-hour flight from Paris to Philadelphia was exhausting enough. My restless 15-month-old daughter made it difficult to stay seated, forcing me to rummage through my carry-on for anything to keep her occupied. Meanwhile, my nearly four-year-old son still required my assistance for everything from picking cartoons to bathroom trips.
Overall, my baby managed to sleep for a mere one-and-a-half hours, split into two short segments, interrupted by her brother. As we started our descent into Philadelphia, my son threw a tantrum, refusing to buckle his seatbelt. I had to raise my voice—which was challenging since I was coming down with a cold—to convince him, all while my daughter was squirming on my lap.
When we finally landed, I was completely drained, but the ordeal was far from over. I had to navigate through Customs, baggage claim, and then security, all while managing my children and carry-ons. The real chaos began at Customs when I attempted to use the Global Entry line, only to be informed that I had to go to the back of the line because my children didn’t have Global Entry.
At that moment, my energy was running on empty, and tears began to stream down my face as I feared I would miss my connecting flight. Fortunately, some kind passengers recognized my struggle and allowed me to cut in line, but I still received apathetic responses from airport staff who seemed indifferent to my plight.
At baggage claim, those same passengers assisted me with my luggage and car seat, which was a tremendous help. We navigated security again, which meant taking my baby out of her stroller and folding it—all while trying to keep my son from running off.
When I reached the gate, I paused to grab some water for myself and my son, while my daughter continued to sip her milk. I was clearly frazzled, and my son noticed my distress, asking why I was crying. While I felt the eyes of other travelers on me, I was in survival mode and didn’t care what they thought. A fellow parent offered to help, which was a small comfort amid the chaos.
Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, I misplaced my daughter’s passport while trying to buy food. Panic set in until I realized it was simply under my bag. However, the stress was palpable. During this time, a woman approached me, claiming to be a pediatric nurse, and expressed concern for my daughter’s well-being. Her unsolicited advice only added to my frustration, and I broke down right there, prompting the airport staff to intervene and support me.
Despite the challenges, I was also met with extraordinary kindness. The manager at the mini-market gifted me a bag of snacks, which was a small but much-needed gesture. Eventually, I made it onto my flight to Chicago, where my husband was waiting to help.
As I sat on the plane, staring out at the Chicago skyline illuminated by the setting sun, I reflected on a world where social media portrays flawless parenting experiences while the reality is often far more chaotic. I wholeheartedly support traveling with children—my passion for exposing them to the world is unwavering. However, two lessons emerged from this trip:
- The U.S. travel system places immense stress on families, and change is necessary.
- Perfection is an unrealistic expectation for parents. The pressure to appear flawless on social media is overwhelming, but we must embrace our imperfections and recognize that we are doing our best.
In this journey, we are all human. Let’s support each other rather than judge.
For anyone interested in family travel, I encourage you to check out this resource and learn more about home insemination options that can aid in starting your family journey. Also, for helpful pregnancy resources, visit March of Dimes.
Summary:
Traveling with young children can be an overwhelming experience, especially in the U.S. where family-friendly amenities are limited. The author shares her harrowing transatlantic journey with her two kids, highlighting moments of chaos, exhaustion, and unexpected kindness. Despite the challenges, she emphasizes the importance of accepting imperfection in parenting and the need for systemic changes to support families better during travel.