Samsonite Dream Rider
30 l, S
Ode to the children's suitcase: a blessing for stressed parents
26/10/2023
Translation: machine translated
Travelling with a young child can be stressful. If my holiday route takes me through an airport, I need a lot of nerves. I'd never have imagined before that a child's suitcase that you can sit on would prove to be a real balm for my nerves.
I hate airports. Just thinking about all the people there and all the procedure, my body produces stress hormones galore and cranks up the sweat production. I'm not reassured until I've left the destination airport.
Since we've been travelling with our daughter, this uneasiness has become even more pronounced. Already stressed, I'm finding it even harder to keep an overview in all this chaos with a toddler.
I'm not sure I'll ever be able to do that again.
Source: giphy.com
A valuable aid on four wheels
Even for a child, the airport doesn't seem to be a beloved place. With our soon-to-be five-year-old daughter, this manifests itself in different ways: just before the security check, she's desperate for one of her Schleich animals or a colouring book. These are, of course, in the suitcase we've already registered. Or maybe she doesn't need to go to the toilet at all and less than five minutes later she needs to go anyway. And, of course, it's an emergency. Or suddenly she doesn't want to walk any more.
Situations like this, combined with my high stress levels, harbour unprecedented potential for conflict and put a strain on the nerves of the whole family. Even my wife, who usually walks around the airport deeply relaxed and cool-headed, is now not so relaxed.
I'm sure you're thinking.
You're probably thinking, "Well, you can't give up flying if it's so awful."
Of course, that would be the easiest solution. And at the same time, the one that would literally take our dream destination further away. Fortunately, we've found a kind of compromise with a child's suitcase that she can sit in. It makes the airport trip easier for both our daughter and me.
They see me rollin'
This suitcase is just brilliant. If Zoé doesn't like walking any more, she sits on it, holds on to the handles at the front and we pull her along. If she pushes on her legs, she can also ride on her own with the suitcase. Always within sight, of course.
Source: Sofia Vogt
If there are no seats at the airport, Zoe at least always has one with her suitcase. Zoe's toys, among other things, are of course stored in the suitcase, so they're always within reach. Even on the plane, because the child's suitcase easily passes as hand luggage with its dimensions.
Source: Sofia Vogt
The suitcase just doesn't have a solution for its sudden and urgent need. On the other hand, it does allow us to get to the nearest toilet quickly. Anyone who has been in such a situation knows that every second can then count.
Avanti piccoli
The child's suitcase is fairly easy to pull, even with extra weight perched on top. The rigid plastic wheels roll smoothly and at the same time indicate the ideal direction: namely forward. So it's best not to cut corners at speed. In principle, it's best to glance back from time to time as you pull the suitcase along. After all, your child is sitting in it. Or at least should be.
Source: Patrick Vogt
This nerve balm comes at a price
We bought the suitcase last spring. I wish I'd had it a year earlier. Besides, there are cheaper brands and models out there that, as well as looking good, are distinguished by capacity and size. There are even some that allow you to turn the seat into a bed on the plane.
It's true that, depending on the brand, model and equipment, a suitcase like this isn't cheap. No wonder, because I think it's worth its weight in gold. Our children's suitcase keeps my nerves in check. And for that, if I can afford it, I don't hesitate to put my hand in the wallet.
The first of many suitcases
According to the manufacturer, our suitcase is suitable for children aged between three and eight and weighing up to 50 kilos. But because of its size, I doubt our daughter would still want to sit in it at eight, let alone be able to. So I'm painfully aware that our rolling happiness at the airport is limited in time. On the other hand, she will certainly be old enough to carry and pull her suitcase herself.
Or it will be up to me to keep carrying extra luggage. At least there won't be any extra weight on it. Yes, I think that scenario is closer to reality. Here we go again: "Hello stress, my old friend ..."
Headline photo: Sofia Vogt
I'm a full-blooded dad and husband, part-time nerd and chicken farmer, cat tamer and animal lover. I would like to know everything and yet I know nothing. I know even less, but I learn something new every day. What I am good at is dealing with words, spoken and written. And I get to prove that here.