Does Lisa Rusczyk travel with children?

 Yes, I travel with children. Actually, most of my travel now includes my children because we do not have a great childcare system set up at home. I rarely travel without them. Sometimes my husband or I will get away separately, but most of the time, if we are going somewhere, the girls are coming too.That is why cruises are so helpful for us. It really helps when someone makes the bed, does the cooking, dishes, creates actives and we just get to enjoy each other. I bought my first daughter on a cruise at 10 months to Bermuda when now many people traveled with small children on cruises. It sure is different now, almost 15 years later. My other daughter went to Punta Cana at 8 months on an airplane. I tried to be as calm as possible with her on the plane and I think it worked. 

I wrote 50 Things to Know About Traveling with a Baby, yes that is my little one on the cover because I learned very quickly that traveling with a baby takes a lot of organization. Before one of our cruises, I had to schedule and plan everything I was bringing because you really cannot count on being able to buy what you need for a baby once you are on a cruise ship. If you do, it is very expensive. You need the diapers, the food, the medicine, the clothes, the stroller, the baby carrier, and all the little things that make the day go smoother. That book came from real life, not just an idea.

I did not breastfeed my first child, but I breastfed my second child for an entire year while still taking multiple trips out of the country. That also took planning. Feeding a baby while traveling is not always easy, but it is possible when you think ahead and understand what your child needs. Traveling with kids has taught me that you can still go places, but you have to prepare differently. That can take lots of thought when you have a child around, and are trying to get other things done. That is why when I create a system, I want to share it with others. 

Now we mostly travel on cruises, but we also take day trips and travel to sporting events. My older daughter does very well in swimming, so we travel for meets, including states. Those trips are not always relaxing vacations, but they are still travel. They are still experiences. They are still memories.

Before I had kids, I traveled often as a software trainer. I saw many places and learned how special travel can be as well as talking to locals and food around the world. Having children made me appreciate travel in a different way. I feel lucky that my children are healthy enough to leave the house, go places, and experience some of the things I have seen, while also seeing new things together.

Some of my favorite travel moments are not the big expensive ones. They are the teaching moments. I love teaching my girls how to do something, like snorkeling, and then watching them teach someone else. That is one of the most beautiful parts of parenting. You teach a skill, they learn it, and then they pass it on. Maybe that person teaches someone else someday. Travel becomes more than a trip. It becomes a way of sharing knowledge.

I also want to teach my daughters and their friends how to travel in a way that is not too expensive, does not hurt the earth, and respects other people. I want them to leave places as they found them. I want them to learn about other cultures, not just visit places for pictures. I think travel can help people become better people when they are open to learning. When I travel I don't take pictures to share them on social media. I take them to inspire others to take a similar trip and to show them it is possible. 

Traveling with children is harder, but it is also a completely different experience. Kids make you see things you might have missed. I once heard someone say they did not realize how beautiful the floor of the Sistine Chapel was because they were looking at the ceiling, but their kids made them look down. That is what children do. They change your view of the world.

Having ADHD also means I have to plan for myself, not just for my children. I need breaks. I need to eat the right food. I do better when I do not drink alcohol. I have to stay calm enough to be there for my family and still enjoy the trip myself. If I get overwhelmed, overtired, or do not take care of my body, travel becomes harder for everyone. That is why I created the Tourist Pivot Plan. 

So yes, I travel with children. My kids have probably been on more cruises than most adults. When you take two family cruises a year, every year, it adds up. It takes planning, snacks, flexibility, breaks, and realistic expectations. Also, much more initial packing and planning. The Pivot Plan is great for adults and kids. But it is worth it. I get to see the world again through their eyes, and sometimes they help me notice the most beautiful things I would have walked right past.