🧳Travelling With Kids Isn’t a Break — But It Might Be a Breakthrough

🍼 “You took all the kids to America?”

Yep. Three kids — one of them still in nappies. And yes, we survived. Just about.

I wanted to share a few thoughts from our recent family trip — not as a checklist, but as a dad talking to other dads who are maybe thinking: “Can I really do a long-haul trip with little ones?”

The answer is yes. But don’t expect it to feel like a holiday.

Expect it to feel like growth.

When you’ve got little kids, the trip begins well before takeoff. Packing, planning, managing expectations — yours and theirs.

A few things made our journey easier:

We brought a stroller. Not just for the toddler — for the extra bags. It folds up and flight staff take it at the gate. Life saver.

I kept the baby in a sling for most of the flight. Much easier than juggling arms and tray tables.

The older two had their own wheelie bags, which doubled as backpacks when they got tired.

Inside? Books, snacks, card games, and their new obsession: the Yoto Player — screen-free stories for the win.

We also tried out Play Pax travel kits — little packs filled with engaging activities. Highly recommend.

Before boarding, I told them: “This flight is X hours. You’ll sleep halfway. There’ll be food at this time.” Giving them a timeline helped way more than I expected.

Sleeping clothes on the plane made a difference too. Once they changed, their bodies shifted into sleep mode — even if just for a little while.

My wife and I split the kids: I took one, she took one, and we rotated the baby between us.

Aisle seats = essential. Trust me.

Because we homeschool and work online, we’re lucky enough to travel outside peak holiday season. Flights are cheaper, airports are emptier, and everything feels a little less frantic.

I worked early mornings while the kids slept. Took calls in UK time. Answered emails while watching the sunrise.

The kids did as much online school as they could. Some days, they just caught up via recording. And I was okay with that. Because honestly? The trip itself was the lesson.

They learnt geography by walking through Dallas streets. They learnt patience at security queues. They learnt adaptability when the baby had a blowout 10 minutes before boarding.

Here’s the part I kept coming back to: we could’ve used that same money on a fancy resort. Sun loungers, buffets, “relaxation.”

But instead, we used it to visit family.

And I’m so glad we did.

Our kids spent real time with cousins they’d only ever seen on FaceTime. They heard stories from uncles, hugged their grandmother.

These trips aren’t just memory-making — they’re identity-building.

You’re not just giving them fun. You’re showing them who they belong to. Where they come from.

And let’s not forget — spending on family, connecting ties of kinship — that’s ibadah too.

Travelling with kids doesn’t feel easy.

You won’t come back rested. You might not even come back tanned.

But you’ll come back changed — and so will they.

And maybe, in a few years, they won’t remember the in-flight movie or the snacks. But they’ll remember holding your hand at the airport. They’ll remember you made the world feel safe, even in the sky.

That’s fatherhood. That’s Dadhood.

🗣️ Ever travelled long-haul with your kids? What worked, what didn’t, what did you learn? Hit reply — I’d love to hear your story.

📸 Got a favourite dad-travel moment? Tag @shoaybmuhammad on Instagram and use #dadhoodtravel — we might share it in the next newsletter.

Was-salam,

Mohammad Shoaib

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