Tag: Toddler Travel

Japan

Due to my employer’s generous paternity leave policy, my wife and I anticipated having a two-month break in the summer of 2023. With this in mind, we began planning a trip to Asia in November 2022. Our boys were four years, three years, and 11 months at the time of our travel. While this was undeniably an ambitious undertaking, we had taken steps in previous years to prepare for such adventures. Trips to Hawaii and Alaska with our older two boys helped us test various strategies to prepare them for long flights. With each excursion, we witnessed their growth, maturity, and enthusiasm for travel, giving us a cautiously optimistic outlook for a lengthy flight to Japan. Past experiences also taught us the unpredictability of traveling with toddlers and infants. Despite meticulous itinerary planning, we recognized that unforeseen needs could arise. Accepting this reality lessened potential disappointments if we couldn’t check off every item on our agenda. For weeks, my wife and I debated whether to opt for closer destinations like Europe or Central America or fully commit to Asia. The recurring question in our discussions was, ‘If not now, when?’ Planning an itinerary covering multiple countries on the other side of the globe required more than the typical 14 consecutive days off I usually receive. With a blessed two months off, the opportunity was now or potentially far into the future. While cautiously optimistic, we acknowledged the trip’s potential to become a disaster. Uncomfortable kids in unfamiliar settings, failed attempts to address their discomfort, difficulties overcoming jet lag, and the worst-case scenario of a child falling ill were all factors we considered. We hoped our kids would acclimate to different social norms in a foreign country and gain an appreciation for a world beyond America. It became clear that, for an extended trip, including kid-friendly activities in the itinerary was crucial. Although my wife and I love historical sites and museums, understanding that presenting an ancient temple after a 13-to-14-hour flight might be challenging for the kids, we prioritized activities that excited them. Planning around places and experiences that captured their enthusiasm ensured a more enjoyable trip, as their behavior ultimately determined the quality of our adventure.