Things I have learned from traveling to India with my two-year old son, James.
1. Don’t be afraid.
“So, you’re going to India?”
“Yep.”
“For how long?”
“Two weeks.”
“You’re not bringing James are you?!?”
“Sure. Why not?”
“OMFG!! You’re crazy! I wouldn’t do that… What if something happens? Isn’t it dangerous? Aren’t you afraid?”
“Yeah, 18 hours on a plane with a 2 yer old. I’m terrified.”
Other than trying to figure out what to do on a plane for 18 hours (21 on the return flight) there is no fear bringing a two-year old to India. As a nice taxi driver told me in Delhi: “We wouldn’t have 1.2 billion people if we didn’t revere children here.”
2. If your 2 year old has blonde hair, you may as well be traveling with Brad Pitt.
There are more and more Westerners traveling to India all the time, and blondes always get extra attention. But the percentage that travel with children is very small, and the percentage of those who have blond hair is small again. This makes blond babies very rare in India. Everywhere we went, people would crowd around us and ask to have their photo taken with our “gold boy”. While we were at the Taj Mahal, we were filmed and photographed constantly…from all angles…it was eerie.
3.Don’t go in May
It’s HOT.
4. Don’t bring a stroller/car seat/crib
Indian people all live without these things - you can too. There’s no point in bringing a stroller as there is little in terms of even pavement anywhere. There are no car seats and really, your kid will squeal with delight while standing on your lap as the CRAZY FUCKING DRIVERS in Delhi navigate the traffic (read: cows standing in the middle of the road, trucks stopped in the middle of high speed traffic, bikes riding right at you and total disregard for any rules.) Also, the concept of a Tuk Tuk to your kid as they ride in the back is nothing short of freedom. And a crib… unless you’re staying in one place the entire time (which you won’t) I suggest you pack light.
5. Bring crackers. Lots of crackers.
Sure, eating curry for three meals a day for two weeks sounds appealing to an adult (oh wait, no it doesn’t), but to a child who has only ever eaten green curry once and was terrified and confused at the pain that slowly grew in his mouth with every delicious bite, it is not. Bring something familiar from home for him.
6. Be prepared to bond.
In India, things don’t seem to ever really get calm. There’s not a lot of time sitting in one place where your kid can sit and play on his own. There is a lot of sitting on trains in tiny compartments, traveling on small boats, on crowded planes and in the cramped back-seat of cars. It’s a great time to learn to play with your kid in order to pass the time. I grew closer to James than I ever have been before.
Bottom Line
For the most part, James handled things better then us adults. He avoided all the stomach problems we had, had a better temper than us, played tonnes of games and interacted with people everywhere. I suppose I could title this: India With Two Adults.
