Usually, when an email newsletter hits my inbox, days go by before I have a chance to read it… no matter how interesting it looks.
But when I saw that Emily Stimpson Chapman’s guide to traveling Rome with kids had dropped, I sat right down and read the entire thing in one sitting, oblivious to the mounting chaos from my kids.
If you’ve ever thought about doing a family pilgrimage or traveling to Italy with children, you’ll want to bookmark her guide, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Taking Small Children on Pilgrimage to Italy. She explained how they handled every possible issue, plus shared the best gear for this kind of trip and all the details you could ever want to know.
I can’t possibly do all her brilliant advice justice, so definitely check out her guide for all the ins and outs. But I did want to take note of her recommended items in case my family should be lucky enough to have an international trip in our future.
And I couldn’t help but wonder: Is it really worth all the effort to bring little kids on a pilgrimage to Rome? Chapman graciously answered my questions about that too!
3 Things to bring
Chapman mentioned several travel items that made the trip easier, including the luggage they used, kids’ headphones and backpacks, inflatable kids’ beds for the plane, and so much more. It was hard to choose which of her recommended items to feature here, but I took special note of these three.
1A really great stroller
Strollers are “absolutely necessary if you are taking toddlers or preschoolers to Rome in the summer,” she said. But not just any stroller: “You need a small, narrow, super sturdy, super light stroller that collapses quickly and can be carried easily.”
She did lots of research and ultimately went with the UPPAbaby Minu V2 Travel Stroller. After taking the stroller to Rome, she gave this review: “That was truly one of the best purchases of my adult life.”
As a mom of four young kids, I was surprised I had never heard of this stroller. I’m very intrigued and after reading her review, I put it at the top of my list if we need to replace our stroller someday.
2A great travel pillow
While Chapman used the most ingenious inflatable travel beds for her children to sleep on the international flight, she was able to get some good rest herself thanks to a great neck pillow.
She and her husband used the FlyHugz neck pillows, and she said, “I slept most of the flight and I think it helped me a ton.”
Anyone who flies regularly might want one of these. It can be so hard to sleep on an airplane and being able to catch a comfortable nap makes a big difference!
3A way to clean up on the go
Parents know how quickly kids can get messy. Chapman mentioned bringing Shout Wipes, and I immediately added them to my shopping list (how has it never occurred to me in 10 years of parenting to carry Shout Wipes?!).
“I brought about 200 Shout Wipes for on-the-go spot removal,” she said. “That seemed excessive, but we ran out by the last couple days. You can truly never bring enough Shout Wipes when traveling with small children.”
Why take kids on a pilgrimage?
As much as I enjoyed reading all about the trip, I couldn’t help but wonder if all the work, effort, and expense of taking little children on an international pilgrimage was worth it. As she always does, Chapman gave the most beautiful explanation:
Little kids are little kids. They are going to squabble with their siblings, complain about the food, and break down in 10 new ways each day, whether you are home or in Italy. You can't stop them from being little kids.
But going on pilgrimage can be part of the process of helping them become the adults God made them to be. It makes the faith come alive for them in a real and concrete way — a way that no book or show can replicate. It expands their vision of the world and God, teaching them how much bigger and more beautiful both are. It introduces difficulties and frustrations into their life that can't simply be overcome by mom or dad saying yes to their demands.
And most of all it gives them grace. The graces of pilgrimage are real. They are powerful. And their effects are long. I don't know when my children will need the resources of deep grace they are building up through their encounters with saints and holy places, but I love knowing those graces are there for them when they need them. And I trust, in time, they will make a difference in my children's lives.
After reading that, I’m ready to plan a family pilgrimage myself, although with a destination closer to home. I’m so grateful for Chapman’s advice on traveling, and most of all her encouragement to find ways to build up for our children “resources of deep grace.”
