Moms are Overwhelmed and Even Discriminated Against when Traveling with Children
By: Colleen Lanin, The Travel MamaJune 22nd, 2009
Mothers need a vacation as much as, if not more than the average Jo-Anne, but they fear long, sleepless nights in cramped hotel rooms; they aren’t sure how to recreate routines away from home; and they are daunted by the prospect of long flights with passengers who don’t want to sit next to the screaming baby.
Not only do moms feel overwhelmed by the stress of long flights with squirming kids and sleepless nights away from home with over-tired tots, but also many feel discriminated against when traveling with children.
Parents often lament the difficulties of traveling with babies and children. Stanna, a Travel Mama from Colorado, said after a weekend vacation with her sleep-deprived baby, “I can’t believe we actually paid for the (hotel) room as we only slept in it for one and a half hours!”
A Travel Mama named Michelle from New York appreciated the information on Travel Mamas about the dangers of flying with lap children. Michelle said she was, “glad to read that link on your site to the article on the importance of buying a seat for babies. Just yesterday we received a snarky comment from the security check guy who seemed to think it was ridiculous that we’d bought a seat for our nine-month old!”
Another Travel Mama, Jennifer from California, used a teddy bear-shaped harness for traveling to big cities or other crowded locations when her daughter was a toddler. Even though her daughter loved the toddler harness and Jennifer was simply keeping her roaming three year-old safe, this mom received comments from strangers during a vacation accusing her of “child abuse” for using the leash.
Even with these challenges, moms want a break from the monotony and stresses of their every day lives. They need a vacation to plan and look forward to. And moms need to visit loved ones – whether to introduce a new baby…or to receive some childrearing relief…or to appease the pleas of nagging grandparents. Audrey, a Travel Mama of two from New York said, “I love to travel, and can’t imagine not passing that on to my children.”
Do you have a story about experiencing stress or discrimination when traveling with children? Or do you disagree and think traveling with kids is a breeze? Take the Travel Mamas Stressed Out Survey or leave a comment below!
For more information on this topic see:
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Tags: discrimination when traveling, lap children, stress
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Traveling with kids is not a breeze! Awesome blog!
this is great information!
Great site! My sister has 3 year old triplets and I am sure she will find this site very helpful!