'Yes, holidays are different with a toddler. But they’re so worth it.'

Remember when holidays meant sleep-ins and long brunches, devouring books on the beach, and letting your worries melt away with the tide? 

Yeah, me either. Those memories have faded along with my tan.

Since having a kid, my mini breaks have generally included a mini breakdown (or six). On our recent trip, by the time we got on the plane to leave, I was questioning if the whole thing was even worth the trouble.

Watch: Holidays? What holidays with kids? Post continues below.

And while I am a huge proponent of the kid-free break, for most of us parents, most of the time, travelling childless is just not an option. And, despite a few initial teething issues (both literally and figuratively), I’ve come to really love my little family’s new chaotic holiday energy.

So, if you’re feeling a bit iffy about your upcoming summer trip, or you’re tempted to shelve your getaway plans until your kids' 18th birthdays, hold on - I’m going to tell you why travelling with little ones is still worth it, and what you can do to reduce those meltdowns from six, to maybe a respectable two or three.

It’s not just time with your kid/s, it’s quality time.

The thing that makes parenting a toddler so stressful at times, is trying to fit them in with a schedule. What’s that old saying? If you want to make a toddler laugh, tell him your plans (close enough, anyway). And while there may be some truth to phrases like, "There are no holidays for mums, it’s just parenting in a new location", wouldn’t you still prefer to be doing it by the beach with a cocktail in hand? 

The time you spend away as a family is different to being at home. You’re in adventure mode, no one has a Zoom meeting scheduled after dinner and you’re all together as a family unit for more than a few hours at a time, which is a rare and precious thing. It’s also a chance for your little ones to see you at your happiest and most present. 

You get to experience everything again like it’s the first time.

In turn, you get to watch as your little people discover sand, snow, mountains, monkeys, and a whole host of other wondrous things that seem like old news to us grown-ups.

On top of that, nap time is absolute bliss.

When you’re on holidays, there’s no pressure to clean the house, clear your inbox, or quickly write up a brief while your little one naps. You can lie down and read a book (remember those?) or take turns heading to the pool for a swim. The world is your oyster, and nap time is the treasured pearl. 

Of course, travelling with little people is simply not the same thing as travelling as a couple, so here are a few tips that will set you up for success: 

1. Give yourself ample time.

We all know that everything takes longer with a toddler, so start by working out how much time you need for travel. And then double it.

I have newfound respect for my dad who was always waiting at the door, hurrying us kids along, five hours before our flight was scheduled.  

On my most recent trip, I was almost ready to call the whole thing off before we got on the plane! The line for check-in was longer than the nightclub entry lines I waited in when I was single, shivering in my LDB - only this time I didn’t have the three vodka sodas I’d downed at pre-drinks to keep me calm and carefree. In fact, I hadn’t even had a coffee. I didn’t have time between double checking I had the right baby doll, bedtime bear, the baby sun cream, grown up sun cream, baby hat and swim nappies, and a whole host of other things I’d almost certainly forgotten. 

The white noise machine! 

I had to run back inside to rescue what little sleep we were getting. By the time we got through security, we only had five minutes to down a coffee and head to the gate. Lesson learned. 

Listen to This Glorious Mess. On this episode, Leigh and Tegan share their ultimate hacks for holidaying with kids. Post continues below.

2. On that note, where possible, keep it simple!

Try to stick to just one main mode of transport. One flight and a just a short drive, or one long drive, as opposed to a flight, a 90 minute drive, and then a two-hour ferry.

3. Adjust your expectations.

This is the big one. If you go away expecting your trip to feel the same as it used to before your little ones entered the picture, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Our realities are largely shaped by our expectations. We can experience the same event as utterly blissful, or downright gruelling depending on our expectations going in. 

Of course, I’m not suggesting you always expect the worst, so you’re pleasantly surprised! I’m saying go in with an attitude of exploration, and the expectation that each trip will be its own unique little ecosystem of surprises, stressors, and delights. 

4. Serviced apartments are your home away from home.

On our recent trip to the Gold Coast, I managed to nab the impossible dreamboat at a very reasonable price. For around $200 per night, I found a serviced apartment complete with a separate bedroom (with its own climate control), washing machine and dryer, dishwasher, and full-sized fridge. We did three loads of washing on our five-day trip and came home with a bag of clean clothes, ready to pop straight into the cupboard! Winner. 

It's true that not every trip will be a resounding success. Some may leave you more frazzled than when you left. But a family holiday is a precious thing. Like with all elements of early parenthood, all you can do is jump in and welcome the chaos, and if things start to go haywire, take a moment to watch your little one’s face lighting up with wonder and you’ll know it was all worth it. 

Hannah Vanderheide is a writer, actor, and voice artist with a beautiful new baby boy. She's also a body-neutral trainer, eating disorder survivor, and wellness industry sceptic who loves to write about the sensible side of health.

Feature Image: Supplied/Instagram.