We have a 4 year old. Last year we spend three weeks camping in Iceland and 3 weeks trekking to Everest Base Camp. She stayed with grandparents. People are too worried about leaving their children with family. You can still have a life without your child for a small part of the year. In fact, the old adage of absence making the heart grow fonder is true. This year with her being 4 we are going to take her with us on a more relaxing holiday but im sure that next year we may get itchy feet for something more adventurous. Will we take her with us... maybe... maybe not. She'd be just as happy with the grandparents as she would on a holiday with us to be honest. So for us, it hasnt really affected us in any way, other than the fact that we have the most wonderful daughter to tell about our travel :)