We have all these inspirational quotes we see everyday- at the bottom of the diary page, on other people's whatsapp, on school notice boards, facebook memes, instagram and countless other sources too- Carpe Diem!! Seize the day! Live in the present! Your life is measured in smiles and people who remember you and so on and ...you get the idea.
Us parents these days are a gullible lot.
We instantly fall for these life marketing fancy words like a kid for candy.
We instantly believe our life will remain unchanged post-baby, as it was pre-baby.
We want to seize the day!! Today.
We try to make an example of ourselves by extra participation in travels, 'weekend getaways', hanging out in the trendy restaurants and any other way to convince ourselves that life is just as cool as it was, as sleep deprived as you may be.
We pack our bags, baby's bags, jars of fresh and cooked baby food, milk bottles, sterliser, baby carriers, booster chair, car seat, diapers, back up diapers, back up back up diapers, emergency medicines, and and other 'equipment' like nebuliser among other essential items that we 'may' need for the baby!
Fresh determination shining in the eyes to successfully enjoy the 'trip', have a 'relaxing' time and come back with about 500 pics posted to Facebook kind of is the theme.
Even if you can feel the satire in my voice, this is really an article I'm writing to actually help you in that brave endeavor you have embarked upon.
It's true that travel means different things for different people. For some it's getting from A to B. For some it's the journey that matters. But for mums- no matter what kind of travel it is- It's all Business.
It's like being the entourage of a super mega rock star- do we have their favorite drink? favorite food? favorite toys? favorite chair? favorite blanket and what not! Do you need water? Need to play? Baby's hungry/needs changing/is bored/is cranky. Everything else, even the real purpose of the visit, everything is secondary- casually sitting in the back seat of your priorities.
Here are a few tips to make your life on the road with backpack babies- a bit easy:
1. Helpful Husband/Boyfriend/Partner -
God has been really kind to me there. Not to show off or brag, but I'm just very thankful from the bottom of heart that- I know I'm good if I'm travelling with my husband. He is the polar opposite of those men who I see sauntering around in airports/hotels, followed by completely kid-harassed wives. Its a mess. Men those who don't help out - You sorry pieces of sh*t - STEP UP ! Women who are married to these unhelpful sods, have 'The Talk'. Ask nicely, Ask nastily, request, threaten, blackmail, reward - whatever it takes- your husband/partner is your first pillar, who needs to step in and step up to make your holiday, and life a bit easier. Or if you can afford it - Travel with help.
2. Travel with Kid Friendly Company-
Travelling alone with your kids is a big no no. You need to have someone to actually holiday with. Even you and your husband would get tired eventually. So either travel with a kid friendly family or friends who like your kid/s. An ideal scenario will be to travel with people who have kids in a similar age group. If the kids get along well- Jackpot!!
An already frustrated, single friend who hates kids, might not be an ideal company.
Choose your co-travellers carefully.
3. Kid friendly destinations-
Travel to places where your kid/s will enjoy as much as you do. Have some activities planned around them. If that is not a choice, have engaging toys or tools like crayons etc with you to keep them busy. For longer road trips, keep their favorite videos etc in offline mode.
The resorts/hotels like Mahindra Resorts- specially design entertainment for kids of different age groups. You can think of a membership to such places.
There is no big need to travel to Base Camp of Mt.Everest with your kid in tow. Maybe for later- when they've grown up a bit!
4. Pay attention-
Most importantly - Pay attention. Why are they crying/whining? Are they really tired/hungry/thirsty? or craving attention? Talk to them. Play with them- help them notice interesting things. Play with colors, numbers. Make it engaging for you both/all. Carry food/water and all essentials with you even if you know you'll get it everywhere you go. These small snacks can be life savers.
Don't be a helicopter mom- but make sure you KNOW at ALL times where's your kid at. Keep them away from cliffs and heights and deep waters and strangers that are too friendly. Everyone who's too friendly to your kid should always be aware of your hovering presence and the fact that Mama Bear knows no fear.
We have been travelling a lot since my kid was about 4 months and have had a beautiful experience each time, thanks to some of my learnings as listed above!
Feel free to add more tips/your experiences that make your travel more enjoyable with your little ones! (and doesn't make you pull all your hair out).
Us parents these days are a gullible lot.
We instantly fall for these life marketing fancy words like a kid for candy.
We instantly believe our life will remain unchanged post-baby, as it was pre-baby.
We want to seize the day!! Today.
We try to make an example of ourselves by extra participation in travels, 'weekend getaways', hanging out in the trendy restaurants and any other way to convince ourselves that life is just as cool as it was, as sleep deprived as you may be.
We pack our bags, baby's bags, jars of fresh and cooked baby food, milk bottles, sterliser, baby carriers, booster chair, car seat, diapers, back up diapers, back up back up diapers, emergency medicines, and and other 'equipment' like nebuliser among other essential items that we 'may' need for the baby!
Fresh determination shining in the eyes to successfully enjoy the 'trip', have a 'relaxing' time and come back with about 500 pics posted to Facebook kind of is the theme.
Even if you can feel the satire in my voice, this is really an article I'm writing to actually help you in that brave endeavor you have embarked upon.
It's true that travel means different things for different people. For some it's getting from A to B. For some it's the journey that matters. But for mums- no matter what kind of travel it is- It's all Business.
It's like being the entourage of a super mega rock star- do we have their favorite drink? favorite food? favorite toys? favorite chair? favorite blanket and what not! Do you need water? Need to play? Baby's hungry/needs changing/is bored/is cranky. Everything else, even the real purpose of the visit, everything is secondary- casually sitting in the back seat of your priorities.
Here are a few tips to make your life on the road with backpack babies- a bit easy:1. Helpful Husband/Boyfriend/Partner -
God has been really kind to me there. Not to show off or brag, but I'm just very thankful from the bottom of heart that- I know I'm good if I'm travelling with my husband. He is the polar opposite of those men who I see sauntering around in airports/hotels, followed by completely kid-harassed wives. Its a mess. Men those who don't help out - You sorry pieces of sh*t - STEP UP ! Women who are married to these unhelpful sods, have 'The Talk'. Ask nicely, Ask nastily, request, threaten, blackmail, reward - whatever it takes- your husband/partner is your first pillar, who needs to step in and step up to make your holiday, and life a bit easier. Or if you can afford it - Travel with help.
2. Travel with Kid Friendly Company-
Travelling alone with your kids is a big no no. You need to have someone to actually holiday with. Even you and your husband would get tired eventually. So either travel with a kid friendly family or friends who like your kid/s. An ideal scenario will be to travel with people who have kids in a similar age group. If the kids get along well- Jackpot!!
An already frustrated, single friend who hates kids, might not be an ideal company.
Choose your co-travellers carefully.
3. Kid friendly destinations-
Travel to places where your kid/s will enjoy as much as you do. Have some activities planned around them. If that is not a choice, have engaging toys or tools like crayons etc with you to keep them busy. For longer road trips, keep their favorite videos etc in offline mode.
The resorts/hotels like Mahindra Resorts- specially design entertainment for kids of different age groups. You can think of a membership to such places.
There is no big need to travel to Base Camp of Mt.Everest with your kid in tow. Maybe for later- when they've grown up a bit!
4. Pay attention-
Most importantly - Pay attention. Why are they crying/whining? Are they really tired/hungry/thirsty? or craving attention? Talk to them. Play with them- help them notice interesting things. Play with colors, numbers. Make it engaging for you both/all. Carry food/water and all essentials with you even if you know you'll get it everywhere you go. These small snacks can be life savers.
Don't be a helicopter mom- but make sure you KNOW at ALL times where's your kid at. Keep them away from cliffs and heights and deep waters and strangers that are too friendly. Everyone who's too friendly to your kid should always be aware of your hovering presence and the fact that Mama Bear knows no fear.
We have been travelling a lot since my kid was about 4 months and have had a beautiful experience each time, thanks to some of my learnings as listed above!
Feel free to add more tips/your experiences that make your travel more enjoyable with your little ones! (and doesn't make you pull all your hair out).
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