5 Things We Ditched to Prepare for Full-Time Travel With a Toddler (and Why It Feels So Good)

Anca
Apr 30
3 min read

Updated: Jul 20

(And How It’s Already Changing Our Life.)

As we prepare to travel full-time with our toddler, we realized that before we even book a flight, we need to shift how we live at home -one habit, one mindset, one tiny win at a time. Before we pack our bags for good, we’re packing lighter in ways that go way beyond luggage.

Here are five big things we’ve already ditched, and the small everyday wins that came with each one.

1. Bye, Bye Diapers!

Toddler in a bathroom holding a toilet seat. White walls, toilet paper holder, and potted plant in the background. Curious expression. — Emily loves to empty her own potty into the big toilet.

Potty Trained = No More Diaper Bag

Emily took to potty training faster than we ever imagined, within just a few days. We are so proud of her fast adjustment.

One day we were juggling diapers, wipes, backup clothes, and emergency snacks… and now? No diaper bag. No panic about finding changing stations or wondering, “Did we pack enough?”

We gained suitcase space and so much more peace of mind.

2. No More Pacifier

Four pacifiers on a striped fabric, with one pink and the others white and yellow. The word "MAM" is visible on the pink one. — The collection of retired pacifiers we bid farewell.

We said goodbye to the paci (aka DoDo in Emily language) gently, and surprisingly, without a scandal.

Every two days, we secretly snipped a tiny piece off the pacifier until it no longer “worked” the way she liked.

By the time it was barely a nub, Emily simply moved on. No drama, no midnight meltdowns, no frantic searches under the crib.

It is one less thing to carry, and one more moment of watching her grow up before our eyes.

3. She Eats With Us Now

Child in floral shirt eagerly bites pumpkin pie slice at dining table, bowl of berries nearby. Cozy indoor setting. — Emily loves to feel like a grownup and do everything by herself.

Gone are the days of sippy cups, plastic kids' plates, and travel booster seats.

Now, Emily sits with us at the table, drinking from a real cup and eating off a real plate, just like us.

She especially loves stealing her papa's chair whenever he leaves the table for even a second. (It’s her new favorite game, and honestly, we don’t mind losing a seat to her joy.)

Teaching her to eat like an adult makes everyday meals, and soon, restaurant meals around the world so much simpler.

4. No More White Noise Machine

Child sleeping on a sofa, hugging a teddy bear. Wears an orange shirt. Pillow has a sun pattern. Calm and cozy atmosphere. — Emily and her sleep buddy "Snuggle", who's helped during the transition off the pacifier.

We used to pack that sound machine everywhere, and it took so much space. We traded the steady hum of the white noise machine for the real world: fans, distant conversations, birdsong, city traffic, ocean waves.

Emily now practices falling asleep wherever we are, tuning in to the natural sounds around her and becoming a more resilient sleeper without even realizing it.

It’s one less gadget to pack, and one giant leap toward flexibility and freedom.

5. No More “Just in Case” Mindset

A smiling couple with a child stand on a wooden walkway in a lush, green forest. They're dressed in light, casual clothing.

The biggest thing we’re letting go of?

The belief that we have to pack for every possible “what if.”

We’re learning that resilience isn’t about carrying backups for every worry. It’s about trusting ourselves and teaching Emily that we can figure things out wherever we are.

Fewer bags. Fewer fears. More space for adventure.

Final Thoughts:

Preparing for full-time travel with a toddler isn’t just about passports and packing lists. It’s about preparing ourselves, emotionally and mentally, for a life with: