From Diaper Bags to Boarding Passes
The Beautiful Chaos of Traveling with My Young Adult Daughters
Dawn
6/1/20241 min read
There was a time when traveling with my daughters meant packing three changes of clothes per hour, tracking down a lost teddy bear in a crowded airport, and praying they’d fall asleep before the plane took off.
Those days are gone.
Now, the diaper bags have been replaced by chic carry-ons, the tantrums have evolved into mild bouts of being "hangry," and instead of me holding their hands to cross the street, they are using Google Maps to make sure I don’t walk into traffic.
Traveling with your young adult daughters is a whole new ballgame—and honestly? It’s the best trip I’ve ever taken.
The Shift in Dynamic (Or, Who Is the Boss Now?)
When your kids become adults, the vacation dynamic shifts in the most fascinating ways. You go from being the All-Powerful Tour Director to a member of a very democratic, slightly chaotic committee.
The Itinerary: I used to plan days around nap times. Now, we plan days around "golden hour" for the perfect Instagram photo and finding local coffee shops that serve a killer oat milk latte.
The Packing: I no longer have to pack for them, but I do have to accept that my favorite sweater will mysteriously end up in one of their suitcases by day three. (Sharing is caring, right?)
The Conversations: This is the absolute best part. We aren’t just talking about school or chores anymore. We’re talking about their careers, their dreams, and life. We’re laughing at the same jokes and genuinely enjoying each other as people, not just as parent and child.
The Ultimate Destination
If you are currently in the thick of the toddler travel years—dragging a stroller through an airport while covered in spit-up—hang in there. The chaotic packing lists and airport meltdowns eventually pave the way for something beautiful: a travel partnership built on friendship, mutual respect, and a shared love for exploring the world together.
