Why We’re Travelling the World With Toddlers

Some people think travelling with toddlers is chaos… we think it’s an adventure waiting to happen. We’ve always dreamed of exploring the world, but why now, and why with little ones in tow?

Who We Are

Before we get into those questions, here’s a quick introduction. My name is Joe. I’m the dad of the family, and I’ll be doing most of the writing here (and showing my face too — I already do plenty of that in my coaching and healing business).

Then there’s my wife, Tessa, and our two kids: Ada (5) and Otis (3). We’re in our mid-to-late thirties, the kids are at the wonderful stage of noise, dancing, singing, imagination, activities — and the occasional tears.

I’m a coach and healer, a career born from wanting to help people and fix things in myself. Tessa works in housing, where she’s always supported others, and she’s got the added bonus of being well-travelled and good with languages.

It feels strange to tell you too much about us right now. This adventure will change us. You’ll get to know who we are as we discover it too.

Why Travel at All?

We’d talked about travel for years, but it was only after completing the “final step” of having kids that the itch really grew. Many people told us “that’s it for 16 years” — as if having children was the end of adventure.

But when we looked at school, childcare, and after-school clubs, we questioned if that path was really for us.

A job opportunity in Guatemala gave me the spark. I didn’t take it in the end, but it opened the door to something bigger. Once we let go of what we thought we had to hold onto, the potential for travelling as a family became clear.

We’ve always believed in humanity, good people, and community. There’s so much beyond our borders — and now feels like the time to go out and connect with it.

Why We’re Travelling Now With Toddlers

The big question everyone asks: “What about the kids?”

For me, the years up to age 7 are when children learn and grow the most. That’s when they’re open, curious, and unshaped by society. If there’s ever a time for travelling with toddlers, it’s now. They may not understand everything they see, but they’ll absorb it in their own way.

For Tessa, there’s another reason. So much of Ada’s early life was lost to lockdown. With Otis, it was different but still disrupted. This is a chance for her to be fully present with both kids.

And then there’s school. In the UK, children start formal education at 4 — one of the earliest in the world. In most countries, kids don’t begin until 6 or 7. We believe those early years should be about social development and freedom, not structure. By travelling, our children can learn through experience: meeting people, exploring cultures, being independent. They’ll socialise on their own terms, without being boxed in too soon.

The Fears and the Joys

Of course, travelling with toddlers isn’t all sunshine. There will be tantrums, arguments, and moments where we question ourselves. But those things happen at home too. The difference is, when it’s hard, we’ll have a new backdrop — whether that’s an overnight train in India, a beach in Portugal, or a mountain in Peru.

As parents, the hardest part is knowing we’re making choices for them — choices that change their friendships and routines. But that’s our role. Kids’ best friends often change as they grow, and relationships evolve. What we can give them is the gift of experience, resilience, and a sense of belonging to the wider world.

Our Vision for This Journey

We don’t know when this adventure will end — or if it will. What we do know is that we don’t want to wait until retirement, or squeeze life in around work and school schedules. We want to spend time together now.

Our vision is simple: build strong family bonds, break down barriers before they go up, and show our kids a world bigger than themselves.

When they leave the nest, they’ll have the freedom to choose their own paths. For now, this is ours.

Come Along With Us

This is the start of our journey, and we’d love you to join us — the highs, the lows, the meltdowns, and the magic.

We’ll keep it unfiltered and real. No bells and whistles. Just a family travelling with toddlers, exploring the world, and figuring it out as we go.