I went on my first international trip with a baby and toddler. It would've been a disaster without my in-laws.

Carmen Varner recently experienced her first international trip with her husband and two young children, with the help of her in-laws and extended family. The trip, which took place in Mexico, proved to be more manageable and enjoyable with the support of her larger family. Carmen, her husband, their three-year-old and almost eight-month-old children, and various family members traveled from San Diego to Querétaro, Mexico, for a wedding.

The family stayed in a hotel across the hall from each other, which allowed the children to spend time with their grandparents and cousins while the parents got ready. The trip required several transfers, but the extended family was able to handle various tasks, such as arranging a new hotel and transportation when the flight was delayed.

Having more people around also made the experience more fun, as there were various ages and interests among the travelers. The family felt more at ease having extra sets of eyes on the children, especially during stressful moments or when dealing with toddler tantrums. While the family enjoyed their time in Mexico, Carmen prefers to wait a few more years before taking her young children on another international trip, as they currently require frequent naps and diaper changes.