This Texas Toddler Just Became the Youngest American to Visit Every Continent

Max Smith, 2, is the youngest American to visit all seven continents. His mom, Lesley Carter, advises parents to pack light but always bring a stroller on trips. Courtesy of Lesley Carter/TNS

By Sarah Bahari From The Dallas Morning News

Dallas—Max Smith played drums in Rwanda, raced down sand dunes in New Mexico, and rode a camel in Dubai.

The 2-year-old recently returned from a cruise to ice-covered Antarctica.

That makes Max the youngest known American to visit all seven continents.

The Frisco toddler has traveled the world with his mother, Lesley Carter, who founded the travel blog Bucket List Publications more than a decade ago.

Carter, 42, said she is used to the confused questions from friends and strangers. How does she manage the overnight flight, the cranky toddler, the exhaustion? But mostly, why travel with her son when he won’t even remember it?

Max Smith, 2, sees the skyline of Chicago as he travels the world. Courtesy of Lesley Carter/TNS

“Well, then why hug your child, why take them to the park, or read them a book at this age?” she usually replies. “They learn so much right now.”

Carter, who is originally from Canada, took her first solo flight to visit relatives at age 8 and loved the feeling of independence. When she graduated from college, she backpacked around Europe and was hooked. Since then, she has visited more than 100 countries.

Max Smith, 2, checks out Quebec City, Canada. Courtesy of Lesley Carter/TNS

While pregnant with Max, Carter came up with a plan for her son to break the record for the youngest American to visit all 50 states. But COVID-19 arrived in the United States at the end of her pregnancy, making travel difficult, if not impossible.

Max Smith, 2, with his mom, Lesley Carter, in the Dominican Republic. Courtesy of Lesley Carter/TNS

Wondering if Max could break any other records, Carter did some research and learned Max could become the youngest American to visit every continent. An infant from Europe managed the feat in 2008 before her first birthday.

Max Smith, 2, walks on the equator in Uganda in October 2022. Courtesy of Lesley Carter/TNS

So Carter began making plans. A 16-hour direct flight to Dubai in May 2022. Fiji in September of that year, followed by Ireland, then Rwanda and Uganda.

Max Smith, 2, with his mom, Lesley Carter, on a visit to Dubai in April 2022. Courtesy of Lesley Carter/TNS

Often, it’s just Carter and Max. But Carter’s husband, Cord Smith, and her 10-year-old daughter, Athena, join them in the summer as school commitments slow down.

It’s not always easy, Carter said. Babies cry. They need sleep. They refuse to sleep. They won’t sit in the stroller. They refuse to get out of the stroller.

“You have to accept that sometimes you are going to be the parent with the screaming child,” she said. “It’s part of traveling with a child. Once you’ve accepted that, you’ll feel a little better.”

Carter is now making plans for their summer travel—a trek through Europe by train.

“Nothing makes me happier than traveling,” she said. “Now is the time. He might not remember it, but I’m certain I will.”

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