Taal Lake, Tagaytay City way back 2014

Traveling supposed to be for relaxations and throwing off you to an indulging new experience and explorations. But as a mother, we have an extra job to take care off. I couldn’t just leave my child while I am enjoying myself. I always wanted my child to experience what I am experiencing. If I have the chance to take her to where I am going I certainly take her as my travel buddy.

She is now 8 and traveling is not that hard these days. But when she was a baby; Ooh..  with all those dilemmas! I had a lot of adjustments and a lot of experiments on how I could have a relaxing off the road wanderlust.

at Divine Mercy Monastery of the Carmelite Nuns of the Holy Trinity, Ligao – Tabaco Rd, Ligao, Albay

Let me take you down to my memory lane. When she was newly born, there are small travels that we made, not to mention those times that we had to visit the pediatrician, family gatherings to attend and paying 5-6 hours traveling to my family in Naga City. We usually stayed there a minimum of 1 week and longer.

I was carrying a huge baby bag, full packed with feeding bottles, milk, distilled water, sanitizer, baby wipes, tissues, towels, diapers, extra clothes and a lot more. I am not comfortable carrying strollers, so I opted to a rocking bed baby carrier. I find it more convenient and relaxing for my child and myself as well. It is like a rocking bed, yet it is petite and simple. Traveling with it is at ease, whether commuting by small or big cars, buses and in all kind of transportation. I don’t need to take place for it to park. I usually just put it on my lap while my baby is lying; her back is at full rest when she gets tired I will just have to adjust the level for her to be in a high level for her to sit. It was a great help to me.

Rocking bed at the same time a very convenient baby carrier
Rocking bed at the same time a very convenient baby carrier
Rocking bed at the same time a very convenient baby carrier

When she was a toddler, there were also little adjustments, I have to carry more essential needs aside from those diapers, milk, baby wipes, tissues etc. Food, jacket, umbrella, story books, coloring books,  toys, more extra clothes during those times, vitamins and I am always prepared, I always carry a medicine along the way such as mosquito repellent lotion, baby sun protection, thermometer, Aceite de Manzanilla (anti-flatulent), Paracetamol and cool fever.

I always see to it that I am carrying only one bag, so my other hand is for her hold.  I always trained her to walk while on the street. One thing I never stopped doing until now is to always hold her hand whenever we went outside. Or if my 2 hands are occupied with a lot of things, I always instructed her to hold tight onto my shirt. In that way, we won’t lose each other among the crowd.

Ready to hop up on the bus heading to Cavite from Alabang with my friends

When she was newly born until she reached her toddler stage, I refrained myself from wearing accessories. Babies usually tend to touch everything they see, pull everything they reached and put in their mouth to taste. I also switched my high heeled shoes and wedges to flats. So I can run conveniently anytime when needed.

Off the road

on the bus
Jeepney ride

Time passes by and she goes to school. By this time I was free from all those “hard times of carrying a lot of stuff,” I am now free to wearing anything I want, I can wear high heels as much as I wanted too comfortably. Children who are aged 5 to 7 are busy and fun. They are extremely concrete thinkers and process words literally. I always asked her to carry her own backpack when we travel. She prepares the necessary things that she should bring. I let her put all the handy things that she needed when we are on the road. But be careful when you are traveling by air. Hand carries restrictions are: liquids, aerosols, and gels will only be allowed in cabin baggage if they’re kept in containers of not more than 100ml each, even if the containers are only partially filled. Containers must be carried in a clear, re-sealable plastic bag. The total volume of the bag must not exceed 1 liter. Make sure that you have a travel kit for your lotion, shampoo, and conditioner.

 

Our luggage off to Cebu City

There were times when she gets dizzy if we traveled by bus, sometimes the bus is the only means of transportation to reach our destination. Vomiting is a horrible experience for me. One time, I was not expecting that she will vomit; it was our travel to Legazpi, Albay. I have nothing but a tissue and baby wipes. It was abrupt and she just fired up. I end up cleaning the floor. After that incident, I always let her drink Meclizine HCL an hour prior to our departure and I always carry a Methyl Salicylate Menthol ointment to relieve dizziness when it starts to flare up. The good thing is she never throws up in a plane, only on public buses.

When packing our luggage, I always tried to carry only one luggage to be more convenient. One compartment for all of her stuff and the other compartment is for me.

at NAIA Terminal 3
At the boarding gate
pleasantly sitting inside Cebu Pacific Air

With every destination we embarked, every place we visit, I educate her to learn something from it. To discover a thing from that certain place. I let her buy something that she will remember. I want her to relive the memories of that place in her heart.

Christy Ann Hughes, my former high school classmate, a long distance friend and a mother of Eira (turning 6) and Noah (4). They are living in the UK. Recently, they had their first long journey to the Philippines.

Hughes Family

She shared “based on my experience before you travel, talk to them about the travel, that it will be a long journey so they know what to expect and they have the idea on how to entertain themselves by involving them on packing their things or some small toys in their small backpack so in that case it gives them excitement and makes them less bored on the long journey. And always stay calm whenever there is a situation because they can sense it if your stress which makes it more difficult to deal with.  They need to understand that they can help their mom’s or dad by being a good boy or good girl and always listen It makes them feel good that they are involved, they think they are important. Because it’s all about communication making the most of the journey by thinking you are having an adventure yourselves or a new experience for them to learn”.

 

Eira and Noah are excited for their first long journey, and first time to visit Philippines
Stop Over
Arrival at NAIA

“Involving my children makes them feel inspired that they can help and it boosts their confidence. It also helps you to communicate better with them and vice versa. Less stress less resistance especially on a long journey, it needs fewer tantrums, kids’ outburst their frustrations when they get misunderstood most of the times” in addition to her statement.

Going back to UK

 

For the entire mom on the go out there, don’t get intimidated having a piece of extra baggage to carry, enjoy the path of motherhood along your journey. Make memories that will last a lifetime. It is always an inexplicable joy if you are with your children.

Salute to all the mom out there!

Priceless moments with her children… A happy mom!