{"id":7059873,"date":"2026-09-17T10:18:58","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T10:18:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/7-lessons-i-learned-after-traveling-with-my-son-for-5-years\/"},"modified":"2026-09-17T10:18:58","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T10:18:58","slug":"7-lessons-i-learned-after-traveling-with-my-son-for-5-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873","title":{"rendered":"7 Lessons I learned after traveling with my son for 5 years"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"meta-info\">\n\t\t<span class=\"meta-by\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-user-circle me-1\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tBy Joan Torres\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"ms-3\" href=\"#comments\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"me-1\"><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8 Comments\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t<span class=\"ms-3 last-updated\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"me-1\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-calendar\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\tLast updated on June 18, 2026\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Slovenia-with-James-1024x683.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Slovenia-with-James-1024x683.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Slovenia-with-James-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"featured + thumbnail\" class=\"wp-image-57789\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Traveling with kids<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This August (2026) will mark five years since I became a father.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over all this time, my life has obviously changed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I no longer have the freedom to go on <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/reasons-long-term-travel\/\"><strong>long-term trips by myself<\/strong><\/a>, but I am still privileged enough to keep traveling and, most importantly, I have somehow managed to make travel part of James\u2019 life as well.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At just five years old, I have taken him to 25 countries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You probably already know that I have never been particularly fond of <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/visit-world-countries\/\"><strong>counting countries<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 I don\u2019t even publicly share how many I\u2019ve been to myself \u2013 so this article isn\u2019t about the numbers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s a reflection about the journey of raising a child who is genuinely curious about the world, and about the lessons that traveling together has taught me over the last five years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From long weekend getaways around Europe to several-month overlanding trips across the Americas, I can genuinely say that traveling with your child is one of the best things in the world.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#f0f0f0\">2026 also marks 5 years since the creation of ATC Expeditions. <br \/>Read <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/five-years-expeditions\/\"><strong>how it all started<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n<p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7 lessons I\u2019ve learned after traveling with James over the last 5 years.<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Galapagos-with-kids-Galapagos-is-great-with-kids-no-matter-the-age-1024x683.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Galapagos-with-kids-Galapagos-is-great-with-kids-no-matter-the-age-1024x683.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Galapagos-with-kids-Galapagos-is-great-with-kids-no-matter-the-age-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Gala\u0301pagos with kids\" class=\"wp-image-58250\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gala\u0301pagos is great with kids, no matter the age<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. We\u2019ll go there when they grow older, so they can remember<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>He\u2019s too young for that trip.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Why not wait for a few more years, so they can remember?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Very wrong approach in my humble opinion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My answer to those statements is always the same:<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Well, we\u2019ll still go, and when he grows older, we\u2019ll just travel somewhere else.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The world is huge. You will never visit every country and region (properly). It\u2019s impossible.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So if you have been dreaming about traveling to a certain destination and you finally have the time and money to make it happen, don\u2019t wait, don\u2019t postpone it, just go.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ignore those who say that children won\u2019t remember those experiences. Maybe they won\u2019t remember every detail, but they will make travel as a natural part of life. They will grow up seeing the photos, hearing the stories and, <strong>most importantly, you will remember<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then, next year, if you still have the time and money, just travel somewhere else, you won\u2019t run out of countries to visit with your children.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course, not all the countries are meant for traveling with kids: Central African Republic or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-afghanistan\/\">Afghanistan<\/a><\/strong>, but the truth is that there is no perfect age to travel, just different ways of experiencing the world.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Central-America-with-kids-While-James-might-not-remember-seeing-iguanas-in-Central-America-1024x683.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Central-America-with-kids-While-James-might-not-remember-seeing-iguanas-in-Central-America-1024x683.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Central-America-with-kids-While-James-might-not-remember-seeing-iguanas-in-Central-America-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Central America with kids\" class=\"wp-image-58246\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">While James might not remember seeing iguanas in Central America, he did learn what an iguana was on that trip, and he\u2019s known what they are ever since<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Kids understand more than you think<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you ever meet us on the road, I challenge you to ask James to name and point out the smallest country in the world (Nauru), tell you which is the only Dutch-speaking country in South America (<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-three-guyanas\/\">Suriname<\/a><\/strong>), or even locate my favorite country, <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/yemen-travel\/\"><strong>Yemen<\/strong><\/a>, on a map.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You might be surprised.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No, I don\u2019t think James is smarter than other children, but I do think that travel has grown so much on him, making him genuinely curious about the world and eager to explore it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We spend hours looking at maps and reading children\u2019s books about characters traveling the world. One of his favorites is about a penguin who decides to leave Antarctica on the back of an albatross, visiting Peru, South Africa and New Zealand along the way.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We\u2019ve reached a point where James is already suggesting countries to visit and regions to explore. And whenever we travel, I make him fully aware of where we\u2019re going and what to expect from a journey like that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is yet another reason why I believe children are never too young to travel. They are like sponges, absorbing all kinds of knowledge and experiences.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fact, I would even argue that the earlier you start, the better. The longer you wait, the less interested they become in their parents\u2019 world.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">So do take your chance while you are still their hero.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Our-Middle-East-sticker-album-is-GOLD-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Our-Middle-East-sticker-album-is-GOLD-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Our-Middle-East-sticker-album-is-GOLD-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-58252\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Our Middle East sticker album is GOLD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. One day, you must tell them that they will have to start the f*** over<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One unavoidable consequence of traveling with kids is that, once they become aware of the places they\u2019ve been to, country numbers inevitably come up. And kids being kids, they can easily become obsessed with them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019ve noticed that James sometimes mentions the number a bit too often, occasionally even bragging about it in front of others.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s why I think it\u2019s important to educate them about what travel is really about: meaningful experiences, local encounters and curiosity, rather than nonsensical statistics.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, if one day, when they grow up, they decide they want to become country counters, that\u2019s up to them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But they should also be aware that <strong>the countries they visited as children don\u2019t count<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not because they don\u2019t remember them. Quite the opposite. Those trips helped shape who they are and triggered their curiosity about the world.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But traveling as an adult involves making your own decisions, planning your own itineraries and experiencing places on your own way, which is a completely different thing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So I know that one day, I\u2019ll have to sit down with James and tell him:<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Dude, you need to start the fuck over.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/An-indigineous-village-in-Choco-region-James-spent-a-week-in-this-area-of-Central-America-1024x683.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/An-indigineous-village-in-Choco-region-James-spent-a-week-in-this-area-of-Central-America-1024x683.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/An-indigineous-village-in-Choco-region-James-spent-a-week-in-this-area-of-Central-America-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"An indigenous village in Choco\u0301 region\" class=\"wp-image-58242\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">James spent a week in this area of Central America but he can only remember from the pictures. He\u2019ll have to go back when he becomes older if he wants to genuinely experience it on his own<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Find a balance between kid-friendly and local<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s a challenge, but a cool one.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want travel to grow on your child, meaning that they both enjoy it and learn from it, you need to find activities that are fun for them, but local enough that they understand they are somewhere different, absorbing new experiences along the way.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In practical terms, this means fewer playgrounds and fewer Disney World-like trips.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019ll use our recent <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/serbia-kosovo\/\"><strong>Serbia trip<\/strong><\/a> as an example.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We traveled to Serbia because, besides San Marino, it was the only country I had not visited in mainland Europe (very selfish, I know).<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was just the two of us for a week, and at first, I wondered whether Serbia would be an interesting destination for a four-year-old, but it was indeed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We spent two nights in Belgrade, simply walking around, eating ice cream and trying local restaurants, ordering foods he had never seen before. No boring museums or too much walking.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then we spent three nights in two different farms in rural Serbia, where he could feed the animals. Sure, you can do that almost anywhere in the world, but the owners only spoke Serbian, everything felt incredibly rural, and the food they served us was very local too.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, we spent two nights in the mountains, staying in a traditional wooden hut, from where we took the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/UD1RWKcFEjKjcnjX9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u0160argan Eight train<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everything we did was very Serbian. Yet, at the same time, so much fun for a 4-year old.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, whenever we look back at the photos and talk about that trip, James has a simple but genuine understanding of what Serbia is like. He remembers the food, the mountains, the farms and the people.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you can put together a kid-friendly trip in Serbia, you can do it almost anywhere.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Serbia-with-kids-The-Sargan-Eight-train-in-Serbia-great-activity-with-kids-1024x683.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Serbia-with-kids-The-Sargan-Eight-train-in-Serbia-great-activity-with-kids-1024x683.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Serbia-with-kids-The-Sargan-Eight-train-in-Serbia-great-activity-with-kids-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Serbia with kids\" class=\"wp-image-58254\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The S\u030cargan Eight train in Serbia, great activity with kids!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Traveling with kids <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">DOESN\u2019T<\/span> mean missing out<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s a common misconception, which is that many people claim that traveling with children makes you miss out stuff.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I think the whole idea of \u201cmissing out\u201d depends entirely on expectations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If I travel to Tanzania with James, it\u2019s only natural that I won\u2019t be climbing Kilimanjaro or overlanding by <em>matatu<\/em> all the way to Burundi. But I\u2019m not missing out on anything, because I already know that\u2019s not the kind of trip we\u2019re taking. And if I really want to climb Kilimanjaro, I can always come back another time on my own.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Similarly, when we went to Ecuador with James, climbing Chimborazo was never part of the plan. Instead, we spent three days on a local farm in a tiny village nearby, where the incredibly welcoming locals embraced us and made us feel part of their community, probably because we were a family.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Had I been traveling alone, I would have probably attempted Chimborazo. But I wouldn\u2019t have stayed on that farm, and I certainly wouldn\u2019t have spent hours hanging out with local families.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If I want to do something crazy, like hitchhike across Afghanistan to reach the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/jam-minaret\/\">Minaret of Jam<\/a><\/strong>, or spend four days overlanding to Kaieteur Falls in Guyana, I will do that alone or with a friend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So stop saying that traveling with kids means missing out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sure, you may see fewer things, but in return, you slow down, spend more time in places and often have far more genuine interactions with locals than you would as a solo traveler.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Traveling with a child is simply a different experience, just like traveling solo, with your girlfriend or with a group of friends.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each travel style comes with its own advantages, limitations and beautiful moments.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Traveling-in-Ecuador-with-kids-Near-Chimborazo-at-6200m-its-one-of-the-tallest-mountains-in-South-America-1024x683.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Traveling-in-Ecuador-with-kids-Near-Chimborazo-at-6200m-its-one-of-the-tallest-mountains-in-South-America-1024x683.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Traveling-in-Ecuador-with-kids-Near-Chimborazo-at-6200m-its-one-of-the-tallest-mountains-in-South-America-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Traveling in Ecuador with kids\" class=\"wp-image-58258\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Near Chimborazo, at 6200m, it\u2019s one of the tallest mountains in South America<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Traveling as a family is easy, but single parenting is a completely different game<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s another misconception: that traveling with children is difficult.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sure, it comes with its own challenges, but traveling as a family is actually much easier than people make it sound.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What is difficult, however, is traveling alone with a child. That\u2019s a different league.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">James\u2019 mother and I separated some time ago, but I am fortunate and privileged enough to still be able to go on several-week trips with him because her mother has always supported the idea of James growing up traveling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, whenever I travel alone with him, I am reminded of just how much easier things are when there are two of you.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let me give you a simple example.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s late at night. You\u2019re in your hotel room. Outside, it\u2019s snowing and freezing cold, and your child suddenly says he\u2019s thirsty. You realize you forgot to buy bottled water, and he\u2019s already in his pajamas. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When there are two of you, one parent simply runs downstairs while the other stays with the child. When you\u2019re alone, things become more complicated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s just one tiny example.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now multiply that by every meal, every bathroom break, every train ride, every time your child gets sick, and the countless tantrums in the middle of the street while you\u2019re carrying all the backpacks by yourself.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When traveling alone with James there are moments when I wonder:<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>What the hell am I doing here?<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some situations can be rough, but all good moments always make up for the bad ones.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Somewhere-in-Switzerland-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Somewhere-in-Switzerland-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"58256\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Somewhere-in-Switzerland-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Somewhere in Switzerland\" class=\"wp-image-58256\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Somewhere in Switzerland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Backpacking-in-Switzerland-with-James-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Backpacking-in-Switzerland-with-James-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"58244\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Backpacking-in-Switzerland-with-James-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Backpacking in Switzerland with James\" class=\"wp-image-58244\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Backpacking in Central Europe with James<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Children adapt to everything, adults complain more<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We have been running <a href=\"https:\/\/expeditions.againstthecompass.com\/tours\/\"><strong>ATC Expeditions<\/strong><\/a> for quite some time now, bringing hundreds of travelers from all kinds of nationalities, ages and backgrounds to some pretty unusual places.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And after taking James on multi-country road trips, long bus journeys, campervan adventures and even jungle regions in the Pacific, I can genuinely say that some adults can certainly be more difficult, dramatic and demanding than most children.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Children adapt to almost everything, especially when they are younger.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They won\u2019t complain about shit accommodation, and they don\u2019t care about limited food options, as long as they are having with you. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remember that, wherever you travel, there will always be children. There will always be diapers and there will always be food for children.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_25651-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_25651-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"58295\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_25651-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-58295\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Guatemala-Mexico border<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_27331-768x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_27331-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"58293\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_27331-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-58293\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Chiapas, Mexico<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everything I\u2019ve shared in this article is based on my own experience and my genuine opinion after five years of traveling with James.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having a son who loves traveling doesn\u2019t make us special, and certainly not better than anyone else. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I simply believe that, just like any other passion or hobby, children often end up embracing what their parents genuinely love.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In our case, we focused on traveling. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article is not meant to tell parents how they should raise their children, nor to suggest that everyone should travel the way we do.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But if you are also passionate about traveling and, for whatever reason, have been postponing it because you think having children means the end of your adventures, I hope these reflections encourage you to overcome those fears and simply go.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because if there is one thing I have learned over the last five years, it is that children don\u2019t stop us from traveling.<\/p>\n<p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Read more blogging articles<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>\t<!-- comments --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"styled-separator is-style-wide\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/>\t<!-- #respond --><\/p>\n<p>\t<!-- YOU MAY ALSO LIKE (based on categories??) --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Joan Torres 8 Comments Last updated on June 18, 2026 Traveling with kids This August (2026) will mark five years since I became a father. Over all this time, my life has obviously changed. I no longer have the freedom to go on long-term trips by myself, but I am still privileged enough to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7059874,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[122547],"tags":[11254,5200,956,7861,1003],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-7059873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-digital-nomad","tag-learned","tag-lessons","tag-son","tag-traveling","tag-years"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>7 Lessons I learned after traveling with my son for 5 years - Som2ny Network<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"7 Lessons I learned after traveling with my son for 5 years - Som2ny Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"By Joan Torres 8 Comments Last updated on June 18, 2026 Traveling with kids This August (2026) will mark five years since I became a father. Over all this time, my life has obviously changed. I no longer have the freedom to go on long-term trips by myself, but I am still privileged enough to [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Som2ny Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-09-17T10:18:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"admin\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b85e3c3dc0e1daea076524dc8810c371\"},\"headline\":\"7 Lessons I learned after traveling with my son for 5 years\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-09-17T10:18:58+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873\"},\"wordCount\":2190,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Slovenia-with-James.avif.avif\",\"keywords\":[\"Learned\",\"Lessons\",\"Son\",\"Traveling\",\"Years\"],\"articleSection\":[\"digital nomad\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873\",\"name\":\"7 Lessons I learned after traveling with my son for 5 years - Som2ny Network\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Slovenia-with-James.avif.avif\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-09-17T10:18:58+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Slovenia-with-James.avif.avif\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Slovenia-with-James.avif.avif\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":800},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?bp_activities=1\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"7 Lessons I learned after traveling with my son for 5 years\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/\",\"name\":\"Som2ny Network\",\"description\":\"Daily Deals\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Som2ny Network\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4a0953c4-logo-300x86-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4a0953c4-logo-300x86-1.png\",\"width\":300,\"height\":86,\"caption\":\"Som2ny Network\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b85e3c3dc0e1daea076524dc8810c371\",\"name\":\"admin\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/729ae85bf62b9917e93538db2f2688ca?s=96&r=g&default=https%3A%2F%2Ffivemor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fbuddypress-first-letter-avatar%2Fimages%2Fdefault%2F96%2Flatin_a.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/729ae85bf62b9917e93538db2f2688ca?s=96&r=g&default=https%3A%2F%2Ffivemor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fbuddypress-first-letter-avatar%2Fimages%2Fdefault%2F96%2Flatin_a.png\",\"caption\":\"admin\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?author=1\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"7 Lessons I learned after traveling with my son for 5 years - Som2ny Network","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"7 Lessons I learned after traveling with my son for 5 years - Som2ny Network","og_description":"By Joan Torres 8 Comments Last updated on June 18, 2026 Traveling with kids This August (2026) will mark five years since I became a father. Over all this time, my life has obviously changed. I no longer have the freedom to go on long-term trips by myself, but I am still privileged enough to [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873","og_site_name":"Som2ny Network","article_published_time":"2026-09-17T10:18:58+00:00","author":"admin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"admin","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873"},"author":{"name":"admin","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b85e3c3dc0e1daea076524dc8810c371"},"headline":"7 Lessons I learned after traveling with my son for 5 years","datePublished":"2026-09-17T10:18:58+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873"},"wordCount":2190,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Slovenia-with-James.avif.avif","keywords":["Learned","Lessons","Son","Traveling","Years"],"articleSection":["digital nomad"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873","name":"7 Lessons I learned after traveling with my son for 5 years - Som2ny Network","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Slovenia-with-James.avif.avif","datePublished":"2026-09-17T10:18:58+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Slovenia-with-James.avif.avif","contentUrl":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Slovenia-with-James.avif.avif","width":1200,"height":800},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7059873#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?bp_activities=1"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"7 Lessons I learned after traveling with my son for 5 years"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/","name":"Som2ny Network","description":"Daily Deals","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#organization","name":"Som2ny Network","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4a0953c4-logo-300x86-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4a0953c4-logo-300x86-1.png","width":300,"height":86,"caption":"Som2ny Network"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b85e3c3dc0e1daea076524dc8810c371","name":"admin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/729ae85bf62b9917e93538db2f2688ca?s=96&r=g&default=https%3A%2F%2Ffivemor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fbuddypress-first-letter-avatar%2Fimages%2Fdefault%2F96%2Flatin_a.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/729ae85bf62b9917e93538db2f2688ca?s=96&r=g&default=https%3A%2F%2Ffivemor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fbuddypress-first-letter-avatar%2Fimages%2Fdefault%2F96%2Flatin_a.png","caption":"admin"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/fivemor.com"],"url":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?author=1"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7059873","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7059873"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7059873\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7059874"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7059873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7059873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7059873"},{"taxonomy":"dealstore","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fdealstore&post=7059873"},{"taxonomy":"offerexpiration","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fofferexpiration&post=7059873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}