Saturday 15 December 2018

Travelling with a toddler

We have travelled lots as a family and I travelled alone before I had children but this was the first time I had taken just a toddler overseas on my own and I would definitely do it again.  At nearly two and a half Cora has the language to tell me what she wants and to talk a bit about what we can see, but she also still has a nap in the middle of the day sometimes (especially if we go for a walk with the buggy) and she made a lovely travel companion.

travelling with a toddler, Budapest with a toddler, family travel blogger, themummyadventure.com

We flew to Budapest in Hungary on the Monday night and due to RyanAir's strict new cabin bag policy and my stubbornness, we had a child's backpack and a handbag between us with all our luggage.  She isn't allowed the tablet at home but I had loaded it with some games I thought she might like and I was hoping that it would keep her occupied.  That and a magazine we bought at the airport provided enough entertainment for the 2.5 hour flight and we got a cab the other side to find our hostel.

travelling with a toddler, Budapest with a toddler, family travel blogger, themummyadventure.com

We booked into a hostel as we are used to bed sharing (although she sleeps in her own room now) and we had a private double room for our stay which was perfect.  She amazed me with her ability to take it all in.  Budapest was a great city to explore on foot and she loved running around as well as taking it all in from the buggy.

travelling with a toddler, Budapest with a toddler, family travel blogger, themummyadventure.com

Travelling with a two year old, I was aware that we had very different ideas of enjoyable so I made sure we spent an hour or so at a playground every morning as that is her favourite place.  We found some fantastic ones and generally had them all to ourselves! It was dry whilst we were there but I think it must have rained the day before we arrived as she found the best puddles to jump in!

travelling with a toddler, Budapest with a toddler, family travel blogger, themummyadventure.com

Only having one child meant I could do everything at her pace and as we had nothing booked, it didn't matter if we walked the long way because she wanted to balance along a wall as we walked.  We found a pond on the way to the baths and spent ages talking to the ducks and watching them waddling around, at the Christmas market she was allowed to choose a toy to take home (she picked an adorable handmade unicorn soft toy) and we made sure to both try a selection of Hungarian treats.

travelling with a toddler, Budapest with a toddler, family travel blogger, themummyadventure.com

I wasn't worried about flying with her or being in another country, but I am used to other adults and her to other children.  In fact, it wasn't until we were leaving that I realised how little time we spent together just the two of us as we are nearly always with friends or at playgroups during the school hours.  It turned out to be just what we both needed though, and I heard her language progress as she communicated with me.

travelling with a toddler, Budapest with a toddler, family travel blogger, themummyadventure.com

Our hostel was small and our room was right near the shared kitchen which meant I could put her to bed in the evenings and then sit in the common area and chat to some of the other travellers which helped keep me sane.  The fact that it costs no extra to use your data abroad too meant I was always connected to the outside world if I needed a break from a toddler.

travelling with a toddler, Budapest with a toddler, family travel blogger, themummyadventure.com

Having just Cora with me meant not needing to tell her off and no tantrums or upset other than the time I told her not to eat the fairy lights.  It was lovely to just be together, to enjoy each other and to share the experiences.

travelling with a toddler, Budapest with a toddler, family travel blogger, themummyadventure.com

I do think it would have been quite different if she was much younger as it was lovely to chat to her and listen to her thoughts on the world and what we see.  She was able to tell me what she wanted and needed and it made everything easier.  I would love to travel more with her, or to take one of the boys on a similar trip and I am so glad we found the time to get away.

travelling with a toddler, Budapest with a toddler, family travel blogger, themummyadventure.com

If you want to read more about our trip to Budapest, then check out what we got up to on our 72 hours in Budapest with a toddler.  Of course I have lots of photos of my little explorer that I wanted to share . . .

travelling with a toddler, Budapest with a toddler, family travel blogger, themummyadventure.com

travelling with a toddler, Budapest with a toddler, family travel blogger, themummyadventure.com

travelling with a toddler, Budapest with a toddler, family travel blogger, themummyadventure.com

travelling with a toddler, Budapest with a toddler, family travel blogger, themummyadventure.com

travelling with a toddler, Budapest with a toddler, family travel blogger, themummyadventure.com

travelling with a toddler, Budapest with a toddler, family travel blogger, themummyadventure.com

travelling with a toddler, Budapest with a toddler, family travel blogger, themummyadventure.com

travelling with a toddler, Budapest with a toddler, family travel blogger, themummyadventure.com









2 comments:

  1. I went to rome with my little one before she was 2. Just the 2 of us but it didn't went that well because of the heat in summertime. We've done lots of trips together alone but was always to see my parents. Now that she's above 2 I find it will be probably be easier and looking forward to try again. Budapest is an amazing city. I miss it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love that you just jumped on a plane at the last minute for an adventure

    ReplyDelete

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