Travel with Kids Shouldn't Stop You from Seeing the World

Fawzia and family in the Andes

There's absolutely no reason a solo backpacking woman can't travel with kids. At least that's the opinion of Fawzia Rasheed de Francisco, and she should know - she's just written the Rough Guide's Travel with Babies and Young Children.

"As I traveled I came across families who had been gone for more than a year," Fawzia told Women on the Road. "The biggest factor is outlook and how much time you have. Women who backpack with children have to accept the fact that all they can carry is what's on their back, and possibly the kid too. You'll probably end up carrying less for a year than many families pack for a weekend."

What are the key things to remember when traveling with children?

• Your biggest worry will be your backpack or bags - how to keep an eye on them and the kids at the same time. Make sure you plan backup in advance so that complex tasks can be undertaken in someone else's presence, perhaps a bellhop, driver or porter. That's why keeping your hands free is so important.


• Factor in some time for your own fun. Parents are always concerned about their children's health and safety - especially new parents - and so forget about themselves. So plan some time for yourself, even if it's just a hot bath within eyesight of smaller kids or earshot of older ones.


• Do your research. Find out about your destination. What are the customs and etiquette? What are attitudes towards children? What are the safest destinations for women? The more you know the better you'll deal with surprises.


• Don't ever travel too far from health care. Children's health problems can deteriorate rapidly - but children also bounce back quickly.


• If your children are of school age, plan for schooling, whether it's DIY schooling, correspondence or enrollment abroad. It may be cheaper than back home, and children will get an education that will go far beyond just schooling - they'll learn about their world.


• As a single mom, check out passport regulations at your destination. Some countries have specific rules for travel with kids accompanied by only one parent, such as proof of consent or an affidavit from the other parent.


• Backpacking is no different from other travel: don't forget the toys and games!

When you travel with kids, chances are they'll adapt far more quickly than you will - it's in the nature of children to embrace new things with a vengeance. They'll quickly catch on to local games and local foods. They may miss their Cheerios for a few days but they'll soon get used to the local fare.

And chances are even if you're backpacking, you'll find the essentials in most world cities, from baby food to shampoo to diapers. And if you don't find your brand, you'll find local substitutes.

Is there any age limit for travel with kids?

"People travel with infants, there are no don'ts. Balance whatever is safe," said Fawzia. "I traveled with my eldest at six weeks to three continents, and my second was two weeks old when we went from London to Bangladesh. Infants are really portable and there are many reasons to travel before they're two: airfares are free, you pay little for food and accommodation, and breastfeeding is super portable."

But things can go wrong.

Children can get sick, lost, hungry and tired, just as they do at home. Your best bet for beating the blues is to be prepared: anticipate, plan, prepare and enjoy!

I myself took my first trip alone with my mother at the age of two weeks, from Paris to Istanbul on what was then the Orient Express. She always spoke with affection of that journey although she did mention something about having to change diapers on a Bulgarian restaurant table...

For more information on traveling with children