Nathalie Walton: Traveling to 7 Countries with a 3 Year Old

As crazy as it sounds, last year when Everett was three we traveled to seven countries with him. It’s chaotic and maybe not advisable, but we really enjoy flying together. [Laughs] Everett loves airports and the airplane and figuring out how it works. I joke that we treat traveling with our child like he’s Prince George (without knowing how Prince George actually travels).

How to make travel more exciting and less anxiety-inducing for the family

We’ll give Everett unlimited screen time, sugary juice, chocolates, special stickers—everything he normally doesn’t get at home to intentionally create this environment that he really looks forward to and gets excited about. Instead of approaching travel with anxiety we reframe it so it’s fun. That makes the experience special for the whole family.

Back at home, we love cooking a meal together after school. Our specialty is cheesy eggs because you can crack an egg and melt cheese on top. In a few minutes, voilà! There’s dinner.  Then Everett will take a bath which he adores because he gets to use all of my luxury bath oils while he’s playing with his toys. A family of dinosaurs and a literal kitchen sink live in our bathtub now.

Everett is in a phase where he pretends he’s different animals using his powers on us. He’s currently into being a jellyfish so he’ll “sting” us at the dinner table. I’m going to make him a big jellyfish costume with an umbrella and glued-on streamer tentacles. That way he can really embody it.

On caring for yourself and asking for help as a parent

I find so much parenting advice to be really bad, but one suggestion I take to heart is the importance of caring for yourself as a parent. Like put your own oxygen mask on first because if you don’t, you’re not going to be serving anyone very well. For me, that means taking solo mom trips even for two days so I can recharge or dropping him off at grandpa’s house for a one-night sleepover so that Max and I can sleep in on the weekend. Taking time like this requires help, but I think asking for it if you’re able is really important.

My favorite thing about parenthood is how it’s allowed me to make memories that I never even had growing up. When we were in France, there was this castle in the Loire Valley that inspired The Adventures of Tintin. They had a 3D exhibit with illustrated murals and dog sculptures. I experienced this book come to life not only as an adult but as a child filled with wonder because I was experiencing it through my son’s eyes.

Nathalie Walton, a consultant and founder of Expectful, and Max Carter-Oberstone, a lawyer, are avid family travelers. They live with their son, Everett (4), in San Francisco. Their interview appeared in It’s More Fun with You: 36 Families on the Everyday Magic of Raising Kids, a limited-edition book by Charmspring.