Christina Milian and Her Daughter Share Their Travel Hacks

Christina Milian is living at the center of her dream. She’s abroad in Paris, happily married, and cultivating her teenage daughter, Violet, 15, to develop a global perspective, while enjoying life with her two younger sons, Isaiah, 5, and Kenna, 4.

Raising her children abroad and being immersed in different cultures has empowered Milian’s parenting, and she is embracing travel and exploration with her kids, using it as a tool for empowering them as well.

Parents had the opportunity to speak with Milian and Violet about their recent travel experiences, ways that they embrace their own personal heritages, and how travel has strengthened their mother-daughter bond. 

Raising Multicultural Kids

As a Latina woman raising multiethnic, multicultural kids, Milian does not shy away from using music to infuse cultural heritage and appreciation for history in her kids.

“We are a very close-knit family. My mom is like the pinnacle of the family, and the matriarch. I think between the music, she’s very aware of Celia Cruz. And, just like any other Latina artist out there, music really runs through our veins as well as the food, and [other aspects] of the culture. We still speak Spanish to each other sometimes. But, we’ve come to learn other languages like French now, too,” Milian explains.

When thinking about her cultural identity and ways that she stays rooted, Violet agrees with her mom.

“I try to make sure that when I’m listening to artists, I’m listening to people who are Hispanic and that I’m reminded of who I am.”

Milian chimes in, “I think that’s really natural with our family, with both of her dad and me being in music. So, music is definitely a key. And, even her stepdad is a musician. So, music has definitely been a key to bringing a lot of us together.”

She’s aware that being multicultural and multiethnic encompasses many things, and that there are benefits to staying open to it all, especially when one is parenting children with the hopes that they will be empathetic and caring toward others.

“We know this is who we are [in reference to their ethnic identities], but now this [new identity] is actually who we are, too. So, it’s [their cultural identities] a combination of a lot of things,” she says 

How Milian Keeps Her Kids Grounded

Parenting and doing the work to keep her kids grounded requires intentionality. Milian shares that spending time having unique experiences together keeps them humble and connected.

“Violet has a natural ability to be herself. She’s got a warm heart. She’s wonderful with her little brothers, and she’s traveled the world. She’s very cultured and has experienced many different things. While she has a family in entertainment, we’re just a grounded unit, and we do a lot of things together that make memories more than anything. It’s about making memories that make her a better person, and I think that’s what makes Violet so special.”

Violet adds, “I surround myself with a good, diverse group of friends, too. And, I just try to keep a positive attitude.”

Family Bonding Through Travel

One way Milian bonds with her children is through travel. Milian and Violet recently partnered with Trainline for their first campaign together, showing families how train travel can make European vacations easier, more fun, and teen-approved.

“I feel like we’re living the dream. This is my dream that I’ve had for any child. Before she was born, I said, ‘Someday I wanna provide for my kids. I want them to be able to see the world. I want them to travel. I want them to learn about culture.’ It’s very much who I am. And that’s how we’re explorers. And so, since Violet was born, she’s traveled like crazy. Living in Paris, we’ve had the opportunity to see more of Europe, especially when we travel by train.”

And, now that she’s parenting two different age groups, Milian is intentional about having travel time set aside for her and her teen.

“Her little brothers, Isaiah, and Kenna, they’re 4 and 5 years old, and they’re crazy, and everybody wants to do something different. So, it’s all about making sure everybody’s happy, but at the same time, we’re exploring and learning in the process. So I try to make it fun for everyone,” Milian says. 

And that’s why Milian loves using Trainline.

“They make it so easy, because they have a quiz that you take that figures out your travel persona. And, from that, you can gather the places that fit your persona as well as your children, your little children, your husband, etc. It’s like a whole family experience that just makes it so easy [to plan travel]. You can literally go from one country to another country in Europe,” she says.

Violet loves traveling by train too, because for her, it’s relaxing.

“I like to play games on my phone, watch my brothers play, or sometimes I’ll do a puzzle or read a book. But, I especially like to draw, though. I love drawing,” she exclaims.

When traveling, particularly with differing age groups, it’s important to have select times to cater to the needs and personality of each child. This is especially true when smaller kids are involved, and parents might have to tend to them the most on vacation, which is oftentimes not fair.

“But, Violet is 15, and I love having my own experiences with her, especially since she’s going to be an adult soon. So, we have our own thing. When we go to Strasbourg, we go to the Christmas market, and we bring back these things [ornaments, momentos] and we have these things and memories that are going to be in our family forever,” Milian says.

Violet also adds, “Traveling to Strasbourg is one of my favorite travel memories! They love to celebrate Christmas there [especially at the Strasbourg Christmas Market], and it’s crazy, because no other place celebrates Christmas as much as they do! It’s almost like a Christmas movie!”

Family Travel Hacks

When traveling with kids, Milian knows that it’s important to have a plan, and she offers a few hacks.

“Well, first off, pack snacks. One of our favorite things to do is always pack a little snack for everybody,” she says.

Milian also says to make room for little adventures along the way. Violet has some advice for parents to consider when traveling with teens.

“Make sure that when traveling, your child or teenager gets to see historic places, and also make sure that if they want to go somewhere, make sure that they’re learning it [the history of that place] at the same time. You can’t just come back and be like, ‘Oh yeah, I took some pictures.’ You also need to make sure you learn from that experience, too,” Violet says. 

Violet shares that the best part about traveling is the “culture shock” that you get with each new destination. While her ideal destination as a teen is “anywhere near a beach,” the benefits of travel for her are that “you get to learn a lot more. It’s like having a history class, but you also get to experience different fashions, cultures, and foods.”