tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58761900850497594022024-03-13T04:58:15.670-07:00WHEN THE POOP HITS THE PROPELLER!So you've decided to travel with your kids? Congratulations! You're going to need some sanity-saving advice to survive the journey. Fear not, I've been there and I've lived to tell the tale! Let Poopy Propeller guide you...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-13196363312908776112015-11-02T19:30:00.000-08:002015-11-02T19:30:08.748-08:00TOP TEN TIPS FOR TRAVELLING WITH THE KIDS<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It doesn’t require a miracle or magic… these tricks are simple and
successful for keeping your sanity on your next family holiday. With Christmas just around the corner, I've decided to share my ultimate top ten tips for a stress-free family vacation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wish me luck!! </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It was only today that I flew solo with two kids under-five and a
microwave (that’s a long story) from Sydney to Vanuatu. But, needless to say,
here I am, just a few short hours later, alive, un-frazzled, (un-microwaved),
writing my next feature piece, in peace. So, there’s something to be said for
that yes? Yes… and still, no. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">While it may sound smug for me to say I made it un-frazzled, let me tell
you, it has taken years of self inflicted torture, travelling the globe with my
two toddlers in order to discover a few tricks of the trade that make the world
of difference. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohjtldKGiVo/VjgoAwl6IRI/AAAAAAAABtQ/vMQn9bC4KfI/s1600/2015-05-14%2B16.18.37-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohjtldKGiVo/VjgoAwl6IRI/AAAAAAAABtQ/vMQn9bC4KfI/s320/2015-05-14%2B16.18.37-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">enjoying the moment with Francesca</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It doesn’t have to be so stressful to embark on international travel
with little ones, for this kind of trip, if you do it often and you know where
you’re going. That’s all I’m going to say on that one, because I am sure I am
being hated and judged by many right now for the fact that both of my muppets
are asleep, exhausted, I have a gin and soda in hand and I can hear the waves
crashing as I type this… and I literally only spent three hours in the air to
travel direct from Sydney to the most exquisite island in the South Pacific..
Don’t hate me, just follow a few simple steps on your next holiday with the
kids, and then you’ll be so glad you decided to do that family vacation!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But, yes, admittedly, no all trips are like this. Memories flash to that
hiddeous once-and-never-again night flight to Bali with the kids when they
decided to scream like chukky until half an hour before landing. Don’t think I
haven’t been there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My least favourite memory of travelling the globe with very small
children is one that has traumatised me for life. I experienced something of a
panic attack (for the first time in my life) while stuck in a window seat on a
flight from London to L.A. with my 18 month old daughter on my lap and the
plane was stuck on the tarmac for three hours before takeoff. Isabella decided
to experience a bout of projectile vomiting. The hostesses were, shall we say,
less than helpful, and my darling husband was blissfully unaware, busy sipping
champagne in business class after he had accepted the last minute offer of an
upgrade. I sat there, covered head to toe in vomit, unable to leave my seat or
climb over the two passengers next to me, a child screaming and convulsing as
if possessed on my lap. I actually considered pretending to be a security risk
just so I could escape this scenario. And yet, two years later, I have since
travelled a huge chunk of the world, with two kids in tow… and I’m still
married! The moments, when they do go right, of seeing the beauty of the world,
with your babies by your side, is indescribably beautiful. So, here are a few
handy ways to make that happen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SeVEDHoBJ1c/Vjgn54W-G_I/AAAAAAAABtA/5r2Ay_n6EgY/s1600/2015-05-12%2B13.54.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SeVEDHoBJ1c/Vjgn54W-G_I/AAAAAAAABtA/5r2Ay_n6EgY/s320/2015-05-12%2B13.54.47.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">enjoying the little things with Isabella</td></tr>
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</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">See the
world from a kid’s perspective<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Instead of stressing the entire way from start to
finish, because the kids are asking ridiculous questions, or are fascinated by
an ant when you’re trying to get them into a taxi, think again about the entire
purpose of a holiday. It is to slow down, to see things from a different
perspective and to spend quality time together, which con often mean doing
ridiculous things in your eyes, but to them, are amazing and full of discovery.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Be relaxed
about all items except the passports<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I spent the first two years of travel filling my
suitcases with nappies and wipes, bottles, sunblock, kid’s toys etc etc, until
I finally realized that I wasn’t travelling to the moon. Even in the most
incredibly remote tropical island third world destinations, I have always
managed to find all of these items available in shops! Leave the bulk packing
behind, travel lightly and just take your essentials. The rest you can collect
along the way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Switch off<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I love arriving in foreign accommodation options
and seeing they choose not to provide a TV. Seriously, this makes me smile
every time, because it takes the pressure off me to turn the darned thing off
and force my kids to open their eyes to their surroundings and their family
members standing right in front of them. The same goes for all the travel
paraphernalia that you may be tempted to bring along. Leave the portable DVD
player at home and bring some pencils and colouring in books instead if you
really need to give them some distractions!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mti6ZX9M_D4/VjgoHjZgjUI/AAAAAAAABtc/5pgGiQH9E74/s1600/2015-05-16%2B14.09.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mti6ZX9M_D4/VjgoHjZgjUI/AAAAAAAABtc/5pgGiQH9E74/s320/2015-05-16%2B14.09.50.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look mum, i've stolen the import buggy!</td></tr>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Choose your
destination carefully<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This applies to both the location and the
accommodation. Hotel rooms are possibly the trickiest scenario with kids.
Closed in spaces without outdoor escapes are hard. Kids sense a kind of cabin
fever. It’s also wise to choose a villa without a pool attached, if you’ve got
little ones that cant swim unattended. You wont be able to close your eyes for
a moment. Get the garden villa and then hang by the main pool instead!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If you are going to do a trip to a destination that
involves a sizeable flight, drive, train etc then I do suggest staggering the journey.
Stop overs can be some of the most rewarding moments on the trip. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Embrace
your destination<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Just because you’re a long way from home doesn’t
mean you can’t explore all the local kid-friendly activities, cafes, parks and
playgrounds. Think like a local and for that matter, ask the locals who have
kids the same age where they would recommend you go. The best activities are
usually the ones that suit your destination. Last week I had both my kids
kayaking in Vanuatu one day and horse riding through a lagoon the next. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The transit
tricks<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Just when you are most dreading the waits in
airports and the hellish in between moments getting to and from your family
paradise, think again. Many airports now fast track families with young kids.
Some airlines now even have complimentary inflight nannies! The kids meals are
really well thought out and so are the kid’s entertainment packs. And, did you
know that almost all airlines carry spare nappies, milk and other bits and
pieces for those unfortunate inflight dilemmas where parents get caught out
unprepared. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Always carry
an umbrella<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8uF6vwFx1EA/VjgoHVTS7NI/AAAAAAAABtY/xnXZInY8HoU/s1600/2015-05-16%2B10.20.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8uF6vwFx1EA/VjgoHVTS7NI/AAAAAAAABtY/xnXZInY8HoU/s320/2015-05-16%2B10.20.57.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least Dad loved the adventure!</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">An umbrella pram, that is! They’re the ones that
cost about $30 from kmart and fold up totally flat, like an umbrella. These are
the prams that can go anywhere, don’t have to be checked in as luggage and can
even go right up to the gate of the plane with you, ready to be handed back to
you the second you step off. Oh, and if you lose it, or break it, they’re super
easy to replace! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Escape the
kids<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Just because you’re on a family holiday doesn’t
mean you can’t steal some moments to be grown ups, without the kids. It will
make the world of difference. It doesn’t matter how young they are, your
marriage is important, and a couple of hours of hiring the hotel babysitter is
going to give you all the more sanity to enjoy the rest of the trip. Some of
the best babysitters I’ve ever had have been the ones provided by hotels around
the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Lead the
way<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It’s so easy for us big people to forget that our
little ones are absorbing every tiny detail. If you get stressed, they get
stressed. If you’re chilled out, even when the sh*t hits the fan, then they’re
going to respond and handle challenges better too. Holidays, when families are
suddenly in each others’ pockets for bigger periods of time, are major moments
for kids to learn from our examples. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Leave the guilt at home<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When the kids say they’re bored, or miss their
mates, or hate the place they’re at, or you’re having a massage while hubby
feeds them lunch… these are the moments when your internal voice needs to
toughen up. A family holiday is not the worst thing in the world you can be
doing to your kids. A short break away to an amazing new place is incredibly
good for them, no matter how much they whinge. For them to see you looking
after yourself in these moments is also equally as important. They can’t
respect someone who doesn’t respect themself. Keep the perspective healthy and leave
your self-doubt at the door, along with your sarong, as you climb up onto that
massage table. You deserve it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A glass of wine always helps!<br /></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Ps, The microwave survived the journey to our little family holiday
house, after Tropical Cyclone Pam destroyed so much, white goods are impossible
to get over there in Vanuatu! I did secretly pack it into the kid’s travel pram
bag. Those things are amazing! Sssshhhhh!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica;">-------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-25102556390216496202014-12-10T02:58:00.000-08:002014-12-10T02:58:26.746-08:00So, you're travelling... with kids... at Christmas... OH DEAR. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g6QXY_06EmQ/VIghUGZ1mBI/AAAAAAAABls/tWBDsYqRCDA/s1600/IMG_8144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g6QXY_06EmQ/VIghUGZ1mBI/AAAAAAAABls/tWBDsYqRCDA/s1600/IMG_8144.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You're smiling... for now</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2al6HroRn2A/VIgi2Oy_iNI/AAAAAAAABmg/_E2GpNIinFo/s1600/IMG_8128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2al6HroRn2A/VIgi2Oy_iNI/AAAAAAAABmg/_E2GpNIinFo/s1600/IMG_8128.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing the walls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Every year we do it to ourselves! We make that decision to either stay at home and face the onslaught of relatives and inevitable family disasters, laced with a demolished house, the clean up that goes with hosting a Christmas feast and the inevitable declaration to our better halves at the end of the day (if you're still on speaking terms) that you're NEVER going to do that again!!!<br />
<br />
Or, you fool yourself into thinking a little trip away with the kids, to escape the rush and chaos of Christmas at home might be the better way to go. You're wrong!!!!!<br />
<br />
But, if you're going to do it anyway, then you're going to need some help. So, here it is.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l1W0Rdfz-ys/VIghYD5Qb9I/AAAAAAAABl4/D_nkXlcWAu8/s1600/IMG_8248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l1W0Rdfz-ys/VIghYD5Qb9I/AAAAAAAABl4/D_nkXlcWAu8/s1600/IMG_8248.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use Santa as your trump card!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>1. SANTA DOESN'T BRING PRESENTS TO KIDS WHO ARE NOISY ON PLANES!</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54sdZwTZ6vg/VIghabLeJtI/AAAAAAAABmI/xjn_4Ahsl7Y/s1600/IMG_8436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54sdZwTZ6vg/VIghabLeJtI/AAAAAAAABmI/xjn_4Ahsl7Y/s1600/IMG_8436.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy family flight... or is it?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1QrGOfkA0Y/VIghdLTA8fI/AAAAAAAABmQ/5BoQT4SR8ug/s1600/IMG_8443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xlR3rE4QAj8/VIgi-n1hzDI/AAAAAAAABnc/ooe_tqVjxIA/s1600/IMG_9303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xlR3rE4QAj8/VIgi-n1hzDI/AAAAAAAABnc/ooe_tqVjxIA/s1600/IMG_9303.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Car trips are so much fun... NOT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is the sentence that will bring you much joy. It's more effective than a lollipop. Than a gobstopper. Than actually pushing them out the window of the plane itself. Use it wisely and sparingly. Keep it secret. Keep it safe.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>2. CAR TRIPS</b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EPI8GdpE2ks/VIgi7z9paII/AAAAAAAABnA/xvnaznuo1AU/s1600/IMG_9014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EPI8GdpE2ks/VIgi7z9paII/AAAAAAAABnA/xvnaznuo1AU/s1600/IMG_9014.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A messy example...car crash waiting to happen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1QrGOfkA0Y/VIghdLTA8fI/AAAAAAAABmQ/5BoQT4SR8ug/s1600/IMG_8443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1QrGOfkA0Y/VIghdLTA8fI/AAAAAAAABmQ/5BoQT4SR8ug/s1600/IMG_8443.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did we really need all this?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In a nutshell, avoid them at all costs. If there's no alternative, and you're keen on a divorce, then I suggest packing plenty of visual tools - iPads (with headphones), toys they've never seen and for god's sake, keep all snacks and toys to a "non mess" standard. There's no faster way to crash your car than by the distraction of a spilled yoghurt or dropped bottle of juice all down the back of your neck.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OuQJABTKk8o/VIgi1Y9qRLI/AAAAAAAABmc/g5kakqq1dYE/s1600/IMG_8161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OuQJABTKk8o/VIgi1Y9qRLI/AAAAAAAABmc/g5kakqq1dYE/s1600/IMG_8161.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find a new kitchen sink!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>3. LEAVE THE KITCHEN SINK AT HOME</b><br />
<br />
That's right, a lighter pack is a happier pack. You may think you neeeeeeed the prams, the bikes, the extra outfit options for each child in case of every weather scenario, the bath toys, the sand castle building implements... but you don't. And neither does your back or your sanity. When kids are in a foreign environment, the last thing they want is their "old" toys. They are happier (and healthier) being introduced to the joys of completely new surrounds and all the adventures that can go with it. We all know most of it never makes it home with us anyway!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ws1hqX0OrY/VIgi_baobDI/AAAAAAAABnk/lBUEzNL1IeQ/s1600/IMG_9594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ws1hqX0OrY/VIgi_baobDI/AAAAAAAABnk/lBUEzNL1IeQ/s1600/IMG_9594.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, a conversation... about television</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>4. TURN IT OFF!</b><br />
<br />
We often feel like the kids call the shots. We get to that breaking point where we believe it's just easier to let them have whatever they (think) they want rather than argue and start world war three. So, what's the answer... don't even have the option. When you're away from home, you have the perfect excuse and they can't argue with you... "we didn't bring the xbox". "This villa doesn't have Foxtel". "There's no wifi in paradise". Go outside and play!!!<br />
<br />
<b>5. INTRODUCE THE RAINBOW OF FOODS!</b><br />
<br />
We all think we know our kids. But think back to when you used to HATE seafood... (hopefully, you've grown out of that one). Holidays away are the perfect chance to see where your ever-evolving kids' tastebuds are at. Don't be shy. It's not just stuff they've never tried before, it's stuff that's simply cooked differently than at home. Perhaps leave the ingredient details out of the conversation until they've finished.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--msyFzK0Aj4/VIgjBBI8YJI/AAAAAAAABn4/iT6GmrolNDg/s1600/IMG_9752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--msyFzK0Aj4/VIgjBBI8YJI/AAAAAAAABn4/iT6GmrolNDg/s1600/IMG_9752.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">busted kissing!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>6. MARTYRS HAVE NO FUN</b><br />
<br />
You've worked so hard, you and your partner, to get to this stage. If you're on a holiday, with your kids at Christmas time, then that's all that needs to be said. You deserve a break!! Book ahead and line up one night, that's the bare minimum, just one night, with a local, highly recommended babysitter that you're comfortable with, and take some time alone, without the kids. It will be the difference between a trip from hell and a trip from purgatory. Chances are, if the kids do even notice that you've gone, they're going to appreciate you more for having some self respect. My small tip, if they're not already asleep when you leave, make sure you sit them down and give them a really adult explanation of what's happening. Mum and Dad are going out for dinner. Our friend "Flossy" is going to be here to hang out. We have our phone. We love you. We will be home soon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-biPFJJxZ-jM/VIgi7n6kkEI/AAAAAAAABm8/FeydPrBKBpA/s1600/IMG_8680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-biPFJJxZ-jM/VIgi7n6kkEI/AAAAAAAABm8/FeydPrBKBpA/s1600/IMG_8680.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Be a big kid!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H3mLRsQsNUo/VIgi9-T--uI/AAAAAAAABnY/_Dnbx7UsARg/s1600/IMG_9141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H3mLRsQsNUo/VIgi9-T--uI/AAAAAAAABnY/_Dnbx7UsARg/s1600/IMG_9141.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stop and smell the sea water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>7. TAKE THE TIME</b><br />
<br />
The whole point of going to all this effort is to spend some quality time together as a family. Let's face it, chances are some sort of drama or disappointment has already gone down, either with missed flights, sick kids, under-parr accommodation, stolen wallet, torrential rain, missing cat, flat tyre, etc etc... so why not use this opportunity to stop caring about all the logistics, all the usual cares of your world and just sit for a bit, with your kids. Do NOTHING. Breathe. Watch the clouds. Pick flowers. Build sand castles. Write a letter to Santa. Whatever it is, just reconnect with your kids. It's the "Holiday Mum and Dad" that they will remember for the rest of their lives - and quite probably describe you as at their wedding... so make it good.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gYdoEleJyBY/VIgi8glZ8dI/AAAAAAAABnI/brfR3cHhP9w/s1600/IMG_8552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gYdoEleJyBY/VIgi8glZ8dI/AAAAAAAABnI/brfR3cHhP9w/s1600/IMG_8552.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too young to care</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>8. BREAK ALL THE RULES</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GuxTZLoy5Qk/VIghYUvwnBI/AAAAAAAABl8/LEZCLegFPek/s1600/IMG_8238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GuxTZLoy5Qk/VIghYUvwnBI/AAAAAAAABl8/LEZCLegFPek/s1600/IMG_8238.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or your family photos will look like this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Put the camera away. Remember the moments. Stop tidying up. Eat chocolates. Let the kids stay up late and look for shooting stars. Build a bonfire (except on extreme fire danger days). Turn off your phone. Sleep in. Let the kids sleep in bed with you. Play loud music. Dance like a parent. Tell Dad jokes. Be sprung kissing in front of the kids. Play in the rain. Be a kid again, with your kids... show them how its done... and let them show you how it's done again!!!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HGfhUSLxbB8/VIgi6BG15kI/AAAAAAAABm0/cEUhPsPhnNk/s1600/IMG_9013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HGfhUSLxbB8/VIgi6BG15kI/AAAAAAAABm0/cEUhPsPhnNk/s1600/IMG_9013.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleep ins are the BEST!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w9BC9Q_L9Is/VIgjCWLGOFI/AAAAAAAABoE/FfdjamhdBEs/s1600/IMG_9885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w9BC9Q_L9Is/VIgjCWLGOFI/AAAAAAAABoE/FfdjamhdBEs/s1600/IMG_9885.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touch the sky butterfly!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Y1QrGOfkA0Y%2FVIghdLTA8fI%2FAAAAAAAABmQ%2F5BoQT4SR8ug%2Fs1600%2FIMG_8443.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1QrGOfkA0Y/VIghdLTA8fI/AAAAAAAABmQ/5BoQT4SR8ug/s1600/IMG_8443.jpg" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1QrGOfkA0Y/VIghdLTA8fI/AAAAAAAABmQ/5BoQT4SR8ug/s1600/IMG_8443.jpg" with "https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1QrGOfkA0Y/VIghdLTA8fI/AAAAAAAABmQ/5BoQT4SR8ug/s1600/IMG_8443.jpg" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-23777846537445364892014-08-20T03:40:00.001-07:002014-08-20T03:40:07.559-07:00GREAT EXPECTATIONS...AND SURPRISE REALISATIONS<div class="MsoNormal">
A few weeks ago my husband and I took our
first official international trip away together… without our two small kids.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RvnReUfD9NE/U_R5EC9USlI/AAAAAAAABkQ/NsA9OLcZEXQ/s1600/IMG_1491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RvnReUfD9NE/U_R5EC9USlI/AAAAAAAABkQ/NsA9OLcZEXQ/s1600/IMG_1491.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look kids, two hands!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I feel the need to write that final line
once again… without our kids… because of the weight that it carries, or rather,
doesn’t carry. Do you know what I’m talking about? The lightness of travelling
without prams, nappy bags, toys, bottles, and so on and on and on. And then
there’s the screaming… well, the only screams were mine, screams of joy, as I sipped champagne at the airport, with two hands, all to myself!!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We drifted through the flight, read books,
watched movies, napped, even… had. a. conversation. Insane!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vK_AwRN64hs/U_R5GMJLd4I/AAAAAAAABkY/-Fq7olqR_X0/s1600/IMG_1534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vK_AwRN64hs/U_R5GMJLd4I/AAAAAAAABkY/-Fq7olqR_X0/s1600/IMG_1534.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We swam, we lazed, we loved every moment!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Then there was the destination itself. We slept
till we woke naturally. We wore white clothes without the need for several
changes throughout the day from food, poo, vomit, dirt and other unidentified
substances. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We drank cocktails. We had lazy long
lunches. We spoke with other human beings for more than ten seconds without interruption. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hRizSqDzjTg/U_R5GnpRX1I/AAAAAAAABkc/S3rkKAhJYIs/s1600/IMG_1544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hRizSqDzjTg/U_R5GnpRX1I/AAAAAAAABkc/S3rkKAhJYIs/s1600/IMG_1544.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is me in paradise (Vanuatu) still using my two hands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US">And we missed our monsters like crazy. It
was the longest four days of my life. I cried when we called them. I thought of
them constantly. My heart ached for them. We searched for awesome little
presents for them all day long. We practically bolted through the airport upon arrival home
to throw ourselves back into their arms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">That was the trip without kids. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And then, last week, I foolishly attempted
a trip of a different kind – with an outcome I could NEVER have expected. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Hubby was in Germany for work. I decided
to seize the opportunity to visit my gorgeous Mum, who happens to live on the
NSW Mid North Coast in a seaside sleepy sunny village called Sawtell. It also
happens to be a seven hour drive from Sydney. When you consider I did this
drive as a solo adult, with a one year old, a three year old and our two dogs,
it was more like taking seven years off my life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I was also attempting a detox. No alcohol,
caffeine, carbs, sugar, dairy… or anything delicious or calming for the nervous
system. I had a grilled chicken salad at McDonalds. It was HELL!!!!!!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kA2zh-3cszM/U_R5KJLPKCI/AAAAAAAABlI/Z_JGGor-M7I/s1600/IMG_1596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kA2zh-3cszM/U_R5KJLPKCI/AAAAAAAABlI/Z_JGGor-M7I/s1600/IMG_1596.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All calm at the beach with Granny</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US">When we drove into the driveway at my
folks, the first thing they said was “darling, have a glass of wine” and the
second thing they said was “there’s no way you’re driving back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The week was beautiful. Sunshine, swims, reading
books, making sand castles, listening to old tunes, mum’s cooking, walks on the
beach, day trips to the Butterfly House and nearby rivers in lush rainforests. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2KMNn1klOME/U_R5JLPWjPI/AAAAAAAABlA/8HxUEqsH5d0/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2KMNn1klOME/U_R5JLPWjPI/AAAAAAAABlA/8HxUEqsH5d0/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma with Frenchie at the Pet Porpoise Pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US">And then there were my kids. My youngest
may have been teething, out of her routine, frustrated at not being able to do
as much as her sister, going through a clingy faze, a tad snotty, missing her
Dad, having a growth spurt, constipated, or all of the above, but for whatever
reason, she was hell on wheels!!! Screamed, wanted to be held, constantly,
screamed some more, cried, whinged, a tornado of destruction. She broke me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This was hands down one of the hardest
weeks of my parenting existence… and my life to date. I was in tears daily. I
took long walks on the beach simply to calm down and learn to breathe again. I
was a bundle of anxiety and stress on what should have been a really enjoyable,
calm and grounding week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And it was on this trip that I told my
husband via skype in Germany that my previous desire to one day down the track
expand our family to three kids, was now 100 per cent out the window. Along
with my alcohol free diet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This was actually a big decision for me. It
wasn’t about my longing for another beautiful little cherub of a baby. Of
course I would love that. There’s nothing better. But this was about my belief
in myself as to whether or not I would be capable of being a good parent to
another little cherub of a baby. And the outcome, from deep in my heart was no.
I was done. Spent. Capput. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And so, as we boarded that plane to come
home, with my step dad driving our car and the dogs the seven hour journey back
to Sydney for me (world’s greatest man!!!) I thanked the gods for my two
magnificent children (who only screamed for the entire duration of the one hour
flight home) and I thanked the gods for the journey that helped me reach such
an important conclusion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We never know what the outcomes will be
from our travels. We often have such expectations, or fantasies about our trips
away, with or without our kids. But they are so rarely met. The one thing I do
know is, I never lose appreciation for home and for that feeling of unity when
we walk back in the door, safe, healthy, together, wiser and
grateful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-14366367193454728682014-07-08T04:26:00.000-07:002014-07-08T04:26:14.978-07:00BALI BELLY...LAUGHS!!! How to survive the island paradise with kids.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--dzurtzHCKk/U7vSuNp5T2I/AAAAAAAABiE/IxknpWgj6tU/s1600/IMG_1212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--dzurtzHCKk/U7vSuNp5T2I/AAAAAAAABiE/IxknpWgj6tU/s1600/IMG_1212.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family holiday in Bali... we survived!</td></tr>
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We took a trip to Bali a couple of weeks ago. Score fifty points! We took the kids. Minus ten points. We chose to stay at three different locations during our two week trip. Gain ten points and lose five. We also attempted a day of shopping in Seminyak with the kids. Deduct fifteen points. But we made up for it by booking sitters so we could escape for a few amazing romantic nights out on the town! Bonus thirty points! Overall, it was a win win experience, and i've got a stack of tips for you if you're headed to Bali with the gidgets any time soon. Here they are!<br />
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We flew Sydney to Denpasar on Garuda. The airline was shocking, but not the worst I've seen. And we flew overnight, landing around midnight. Our three year old had a nice little dose of phernergen and slept like an angel!! Our 14 month old chose to have the biggest spack-attack i've ever seen from her and then slept for the final hour of the flight. Go figure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1BWDWxNOq0U/U7vTEBszo5I/AAAAAAAABiM/Ai-iLuI8hPQ/s1600/IMG_0662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1BWDWxNOq0U/U7vTEBszo5I/AAAAAAAABiM/Ai-iLuI8hPQ/s1600/IMG_0662.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half an hour before landing</td></tr>
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The must-do tip for the actual travel side of the journey was that we pre-booked an express customs chauffeur for about $30AU per person, which meant that we could bypass all customs and immigration queues, all visa lines, and are personally escorted past the other hundreds of bedraggled passengers with kids screaming with fatigue all waiting in line, straight to our car and driver ready to deliver us direct to our hotel.<br />
<br />
The only downside was that our pram (the $25 target umbrella pram special!) was the last item to come out through the compulsory oversized baggage area - so almost everyone in those long lines at customs eventually overtook us anyway!!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v69l7ujVj9s/U7vTY6TMC4I/AAAAAAAABiU/PZdgYfVdSKw/s1600/IMG_1222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v69l7ujVj9s/U7vTY6TMC4I/AAAAAAAABiU/PZdgYfVdSKw/s1600/IMG_1222.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parents-escape dinner in Seminyak!</td></tr>
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We stayed in the heart of trendy Seminyak at the U Paasha hotel - which had THE BEST breakfasts and the most incredible rooftop pool!!! The rooms were fantastic and the hotel was right in the best position on Jalan Laksmana (the main shopping street) only a few doors down from Seminyak Square and only a short cab ride to some of the most incredible restaurants in Bali.<br />
<br />
They also offered a babysitting service if you book more than 24 hours in advance. And these girls were sensational! In fact, Balinese women generally are!<br />
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We also took a boat trip to an island called Nusa Lembongan (where we got married four years ago) and spoiled ourselves in true Bali island style with a private villa with our own pool a house-girl, babysitters, gardeners, and even masseuses that only charge $13 an hour. This was the most extraordinary experience. If you are looking for a very special treat, then this is the way to go.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BEguKf3cc3E/U7vTpYVIA2I/AAAAAAAABic/Qc13IWa1uPk/s1600/IMG_0737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BEguKf3cc3E/U7vTpYVIA2I/AAAAAAAABic/Qc13IWa1uPk/s1600/IMG_0737.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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The best part was that we were just a short beach stroll away from an amazing beach club called Sandy Bay Beach Club that was super kid-friendly and served the most delicious fresh juices and homemade gelato of all time!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nbBobFyeEcE/U7vT9Np6MiI/AAAAAAAABis/mR41bgG2t9k/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nbBobFyeEcE/U7vT9Np6MiI/AAAAAAAABis/mR41bgG2t9k/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meep Meep!!</td></tr>
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Some people may find this next bit a little controversial - but we also hired a motorbike while we were there on this island (with practically no cars or real roads). People move around this island either on foot, on motorbike, or on golf cart. Its slow. Just the way we like it.<br />
So, with both our daughters between us (Frenchie strapped onto me in a baby bjorn) we putted off on little adventures around the island. Issy was so comfortable on the bike she actually fell asleep on one ride! Frenchie spent the rest of the Bali holiday pointing at every vespa she saw and screaming until I let her sit on them all, immediately pacifying her. There were many.<br />
(*nb: For the record, there's no way I would do this back on mainland Bali, no matter how many local Indonesian twelve year old kids you see confidently riding motorbikes in and out of peak hour traffic through Kuta!)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-79CyA52M4-0/U7vT_AyTbmI/AAAAAAAABi8/pkf9u7x3Bp4/s1600/IMG_1049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-79CyA52M4-0/U7vT_AyTbmI/AAAAAAAABi8/pkf9u7x3Bp4/s1600/IMG_1049.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>We collected shells. We spent all day every day in the pool. We hung in hammocks. We had afternoon siestas. We picked flowers. We stood still. We had quality family time.<br />
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Back on the mainland we headed up to the famous cliff / surf spot of Uluwatu where we stayed for three nights and hung out at various kid friendly beach clubs and hidden surf locations that only the locals will tell you about if they like you! I got in good with my morning yoga instructor and she spilled the beans on all the amazing little gems in the area!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TbGpgtNCdcI/U7vUBqVnX7I/AAAAAAAABjo/l_BVr0CrSZU/s1600/IMG_1214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TbGpgtNCdcI/U7vUBqVnX7I/AAAAAAAABjo/l_BVr0CrSZU/s1600/IMG_1214.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Point Beach</td></tr>
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Either way, you need to check out the incredible cliff-side cafe and surf shack area of Blue Point Beach. Make sure you go Allll the way down the stairs to the cave at the beach. You won't regret it, even when carrying a toddler in thirty five degree heat!!<br />
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And, for a day of really cool relaxation, the kids will be stoked at the gondola ride down the cliff face to Finns Beach Club at the Semaya Resort. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7HWGV-r_3Nw/U7vUB4dG5sI/AAAAAAAABjY/wX2I9lqXvT8/s1600/IMG_1220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7HWGV-r_3Nw/U7vUB4dG5sI/AAAAAAAABjY/wX2I9lqXvT8/s1600/IMG_1220.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finns Beach Club</td></tr>
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It's a little hair raising, but so worth the ride!! And for a special dinner or two, you need to book a cliff-side table at the Alila Resort (it's the one in all the magazines!) and at the Karma Kandara Restaurant. The views are the ocean equivalent of "The Wall" - and yes, you will feel like John Snow when you stand on the edge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TgZDIhill_M/U7vUAhU3eCI/AAAAAAAABjI/j2KK1PZ-aJw/s1600/IMG_1145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TgZDIhill_M/U7vUAhU3eCI/AAAAAAAABjI/j2KK1PZ-aJw/s1600/IMG_1145.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karma Kandara</td></tr>
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And then finally, to cap off the trip back in Seminyak, Steven and I discovered some really exceptional spots for dinners once the girls were down. Methis was phenomenal. Potato Head was mind blowing. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7udY2jBBJ5k/U7vT_mfm1ZI/AAAAAAAABjA/uBaYMmaTs1A/s1600/IMG_0877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7udY2jBBJ5k/U7vT_mfm1ZI/AAAAAAAABjA/uBaYMmaTs1A/s1600/IMG_0877.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potato Head</td></tr>
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And Sarong has the best crispy fish in the world. The Rock Bar at the Ayana Resort is out of this world. But the list was endless. I spent the entire trip imagining ways we could live in Bali, like expat kings, being warm, creative and free. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nPlhyruSS-g/U7vUDFy93XI/AAAAAAAABjw/wrSHdqNeTAs/s1600/IMG_1225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nPlhyruSS-g/U7vUDFy93XI/AAAAAAAABjw/wrSHdqNeTAs/s1600/IMG_1225.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living the dream</td></tr>
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And while I will continue to quietly plot this fantasy in my mind from our wintry cold reality back in Sydney (it's winter here in July for my international readers needing a reminder) I take comfort in the knowledge that we went, we saw, we conquered... and we will go again, as soon as we humanly can!! You should go too.<br />
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Terima Kasih<br />
(Thank you)<br />
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And my other favourite phrase..."Berapa harganya?"... "how much is this?". It's only a problem when they answer you back in Indonesian.<br />
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Let me know if you need any extra tips!!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-45177780505446759062014-05-12T15:23:00.001-07:002014-05-12T15:23:45.432-07:00SHOCK HORROR! TRAVEL NEWS OF THE WEEK THAT WILL MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b>I heard a horrifying story in the news this week</b> – one that will make your toes curl up – and at the same time, might make you feel better about any trips you are planning to take with your little ones any time soon.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cI37XDglcnc/U3FHYSXc4GI/AAAAAAAABgY/5hOkEkNDqpI/s1600/choir_2901539b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cI37XDglcnc/U3FHYSXc4GI/AAAAAAAABgY/5hOkEkNDqpI/s1600/choir_2901539b.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emergency crews on the ready for the sixty sick kids!<br /></td></tr>
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An emirates flight bound for London from Dubai was loaded with SIXTY children travelling as part of a children’s choir. That’s horrifying in itself. But it’s the fact they all contracted severe food poisoning during the long haul flight that will make you gasp.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All but a five of the sixty children came down with sudden vomiting and diarrhoea during the flight with flight attendants rushing to provide sick bags in time and the children forced to line up to share the limited toilet facilities.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thank goodness the children have all made a full recovery now – but my thoughts remain with the fellow passengers who must still be suffering trauma beyond belief!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>In other news,</b> something that will put you at ease for where our airlines are headed – namely in favour of travelling families, Etihad airlines have recently launched their new “FLYING NANNIES” program with over 500 flight staff across the international airlines’ services now entirely dedicated to helping out with travelling kids in the skies. Trained in child psychology and masters of the art of distraction, these fluorescent clad airlines staff spend the duration of the flight entertaining and caring for small children, regardless of what class they are travelling in.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtGFejFJzzU/U3FHpEpICXI/AAAAAAAABgg/GB6OvKVNn_0/s1600/Flying+Nanny+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtGFejFJzzU/U3FHpEpICXI/AAAAAAAABgg/GB6OvKVNn_0/s1600/Flying+Nanny+1.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Etihad's super nannies! I want to fly Etihad next time!</td></tr>
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Now that’s a smart idea!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>And in another sign of the times</b>, this one’s so futuristic it might just be our grandchildren who will benefit from it but a 3D designer has created an invention that will mean we no longer have to travel with luggage. That’s right! No suitcases, no overweight charges, no stress with juggling bags and kids, no problem if you’ve forgotten anything… all you do is 3D print your travel items when you get to your destination!! Everything from bags to sunglasses, dresses and shoes!<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I said, maybe not quite one that will be available for us just yet, and no mention of nappies being printed in 3D – but hope for us all, nonetheless.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-joeWu5SqpoM/U3FIoktWVOI/AAAAAAAABgs/cgaYxqGKVoo/s1600/3d+luggage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-joeWu5SqpoM/U3FIoktWVOI/AAAAAAAABgs/cgaYxqGKVoo/s1600/3d+luggage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where do i find 3D Nappies?</td></tr>
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<b>And, here’s a winning top tip of the week</b> for travelling with little ones, courtesy of my pregnant friend Jo who flew as a solo adult from Sydney to London with her three year old son. She was particularly pleased to find one advantage of flying with kids (in amongst so, so many obvious disadvantages!). She said she never had to wait to use the toilet, with all passengers insisting she jump the qeue with her little one… a rare treat when we know the frustration of having to stand in line for what can sometimes seem an age and your bladder is close to bursting!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am yet to clarify whether or not she trained her son up to say the words “Mummy, I really need to poo” whilst waiting in said qeue, but either way, I’m impressed!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Have a lovely, poop-free week my friends, wherever in the world you find yourself. </div>
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Rosie</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-12598320863318810212014-04-14T04:25:00.003-07:002014-04-14T04:41:40.251-07:00DEAR KATE AND WILLS...Dear Kate and Wills - first of all, congratulations on making it to the last place on earth, in one piece, with baby on hip and looking so incredibly poised!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRKLkDrRwmM/U0u_2-V4ScI/AAAAAAAABes/ShZdkoP8LUQ/s1600/kate+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRKLkDrRwmM/U0u_2-V4ScI/AAAAAAAABes/ShZdkoP8LUQ/s1600/kate+.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ten points for surviving a risk é situation!</td></tr>
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Of course, I am sure the lear jet, the nannies, the world class wardrobe and the many, many organisers would have helped. But something tells me this young couple is, in many ways, a little more human than the pedestal we love to put them on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dT8q0JkV4v4/U0vDTa5PiAI/AAAAAAAABfQ/4CT0aYixSkg/s1600/royal+nanny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dT8q0JkV4v4/U0vDTa5PiAI/AAAAAAAABfQ/4CT0aYixSkg/s1600/royal+nanny.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The royal nanny</td></tr>
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I applaud them for taking their child-free holiday to Mauritius a month before their three week journey down under. (Although they copped it from many other sources). I admire their decision to leave George in the capable hands of the nanny (s) - the main one of whom I read has had James Bond-esque siege get-away driving training and is something of a black-belt assassin - while they fulfil their royal duties at various functions.<br />
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I adore the way they have been hands on with little baby George at the times that they do have together as a family - and have even structured part of their trip around child-friendly activities in an effort to truly make this a family-friendly adventure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rUzei9F0RYA/U0vAFV3jhrI/AAAAAAAABe0/XJAFb5efej8/s1600/kate+george.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rUzei9F0RYA/U0vAFV3jhrI/AAAAAAAABe0/XJAFb5efej8/s1600/kate+george.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate and George attend a play date in NZ</td></tr>
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There's only one conclusion to be made really - Wills and Kate have clearly read my blog and have followed my advice!!!<br />
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Because if they have, they'd know that it is really important to take a little time on a trip away to explore the local region, the local wines, the local cultures - and not all of them are child friendly... but just because you have brought the kids with you, doesn't mean you have to view a foreign destination through a child's eyes. You're still an adult, in an adult<br />
relationship, with adult ideas and an adult mind.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7K0U80wu3c/U0vDKYnAT2I/AAAAAAAABfI/oZYr-5lQoHg/s1600/kate+boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7K0U80wu3c/U0vDKYnAT2I/AAAAAAAABfI/oZYr-5lQoHg/s1600/kate+boat.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot the new parents!</td></tr>
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Ok, so not all of us have our own lear jets, and not all of us can afford to take our nannies away with us... but there are ways around that, for us mere morsels.<br />
<br />
I have to say I am blown away by the news that Etihad offers nannies on their long haul flights. Over 500 of them have been trained to help out families on their services, with training in child psychology and experts in the art of "distraction". Sounds like a dream come true - eat your heart out Mary Poppins!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wSXdXJUMcK0/U0vDbAKD-ZI/AAAAAAAABfY/suFPTRY6TGk/s1600/etihad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wSXdXJUMcK0/U0vDbAKD-ZI/AAAAAAAABfY/suFPTRY6TGk/s1600/etihad.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Etihad - you are my new favourite airline!</td></tr>
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More than that, so many hotels now offer babysitting services that go above and beyond. I recall a trip to Hawaii with our daughter Isabella and I was so anxious about leaving her for the first time with a hotel babysitter - although I needn't have been worried. As it turned out, when we returned she handed me a document detailing almost every five minutes of her evening with Isabella, including everything from snacks eaten, games played, sleep times and bowel movements!!! I was tempted to frame the document and save it for Issy's 21st!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wuok7G162Oo/U0vJH4QVA6I/AAAAAAAABf4/hhx7OBDCn14/s1600/IMG_1734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wuok7G162Oo/U0vJH4QVA6I/AAAAAAAABf4/hhx7OBDCn14/s1600/IMG_1734.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Issy does Waikiki!!</td></tr>
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But the point I'm trying to make is this. Kate and Wills, if you're reading this (as I suspect you must be), congratulations on this trip. First of all, you made the right decision to travel as a family unit. No-one gets left behind.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ln7M8hlqZEM/U0vDErqZclI/AAAAAAAABfA/TyFUT5kakxM/s1600/kate+drink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ln7M8hlqZEM/U0vDErqZclI/AAAAAAAABfA/TyFUT5kakxM/s1600/kate+drink.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult drinks (no straws, no spillage, no sippy cups!)</td></tr>
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Second of all, you're travelling as a married couple, enjoying each others' company. Thirdly, you're doing the right thing by George (by George!) to not drag him along to any and every ribbon cutting ceremony. And lastly, Kate, you should have drunk a teensy bit more of that red wine you sampled in New Zealand the other day - because I'd really love it if you guys told the tale one day of your romantic trip down under that ended up as George's little baby brother or sister. Her name could be Adelaide? Or his Sidney? Perhaps Victoria???<br />
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Oh and one more thing - Please tell George he's welcome to pop over any time for a playdate while you're here in Aus. I just know he would get on swimmingly with my daughters Isabella and Frenchie... yes, Princess Frenchie, kinda has a nice ring to it doesn't it?!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_HWuHc6ivQ/U0vEXCBdZOI/AAAAAAAABfs/DmUBislm39k/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_HWuHc6ivQ/U0vEXCBdZOI/AAAAAAAABfs/DmUBislm39k/s1600/image.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frenchie...The future Mrs Prince George!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8cNDoJiLM2w/U0vD9LcfJmI/AAAAAAAABfk/crfcfEw-78k/s1600/george.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8cNDoJiLM2w/U0vD9LcfJmI/AAAAAAAABfk/crfcfEw-78k/s1600/george.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh George, stop looking so adorable! </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-3011468147886292702014-03-05T02:11:00.000-08:002014-03-05T02:11:26.560-08:00THE DREADED EASTER BREAK!So March is officially upon us. Which means the next big break (and school holidays) is just around the corner. This year in Aus, Anzac Day is on the radar along with Easter, making it a double whammy of anxiety and excitement, depending on how many red wines you've had.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ztgEYKmHRfk/Uxb2DJICZ6I/AAAAAAAABd0/fBc0dQO8h-M/s1600/easter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ztgEYKmHRfk/Uxb2DJICZ6I/AAAAAAAABd0/fBc0dQO8h-M/s1600/easter.jpg" /></a></div>
But one thing is undeniable... most of us over reach when we plan for a short break, particularly at this time of the year - post Christmas and New Year, at the tail end of the warmer months for Aussies, or just starting to visualise the light at the end of the tunnel for my northern hemisphere friends! And, if you're like me, you are still aghast at the pace the year has started out at... and quite rightly, deserve a decent break.<br />
Why on earth then, do we all seem to fall into the trap of over shooting our family holiday plans for Easter? We suddenly think we need to travel hours, to ambitious destinations, with an itinerary up to our eyeballs, a budget that's even more of a stretch, perhaps even combined with other kids / families / friends.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-fYxiV_ux0/Uxb2B1FeLCI/AAAAAAAABdk/vV4KRRarwA4/s1600/easter+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-fYxiV_ux0/Uxb2B1FeLCI/AAAAAAAABdk/vV4KRRarwA4/s1600/easter+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I say stop!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's like the UK rail system that shuts down every summer from overheating... why do we not pre-empt this and learn from years gone by?! Easter breaks should be just that, breaks. Especially given our need for a step away from the vibrations of our already manic start to the year. This is a time to reboot, recharge and reconnect... with ourselves, our kids, our partners and our sleeeeep!!!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-chE57H1owSg/Uxb2B-nINeI/AAAAAAAABdo/rMFoCsM3mE4/s1600/disney+crowds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-chE57H1owSg/Uxb2B-nINeI/AAAAAAAABdo/rMFoCsM3mE4/s1600/disney+crowds.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A blissful day at Disneyland!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Since when did gigantic family theme parks, water slides, long haul flights and action adventure tours count as R&R? Say no to stress this Easter! Instead, step off the map.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c1USk_Z-024/Uxb2D_LaZTI/AAAAAAAABeI/7X1kz6TA9ZQ/s1600/water+slides.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c1USk_Z-024/Uxb2D_LaZTI/AAAAAAAABeI/7X1kz6TA9ZQ/s1600/water+slides.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who's idea of fun was this!?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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There's no set formula for doing this, I should add a disclaimer here! But there are a couple of ways to try and get it right:<br />
<br />
1. Do leave home if you can. It's like trying to write an email when you've got a teething baby at your ankles. The house ain't always a place of sanctuary, no matter how hard you try.<br />
<br />
2. It doesn't have to mean a long distance or a big budget. Wherever you can get to that speaks to your soul. Remember, this trip is very much about Mum and Dad chilling out - and as kids go, they can make their own fun just about anywhere on the planet. We too often make the mistake of booking destinations or themes that are designed for the kids, giving them all the power and we wonder why the holiday was a nightmare, with the kids having everything they could want and yet still being hard work?! It's because Mum and Dad aren't relaxed, and therefore neither are they! And the more we try to cater for them, the more they feel our eyes on them and the more demanding they get!! Seriously - less is more. I can sense you nodding at your computer now - especially if you have older kids?!<br />
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3. Observe the limit. I'm not actually talking about drink driving here. This is a given. I'm referring to your own limitations. If you need to get off the grid, don't go somewhere busy. If you want to avoid the small talk, don't travel with another family. If you need to feel grass under your feet, spend quality time with your children, sit without electronic interference, dim the lights, not have to drive anywhere for days, not have to worry about large crowds, restaurant protocol, locking doors and looking decent, then this is the holiday break of the year to do it.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--P7I7Rqy_iQ/Uxb2Cj_LClI/AAAAAAAABeE/zcDIwtHgNgU/s1600/easter+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--P7I7Rqy_iQ/Uxb2Cj_LClI/AAAAAAAABeE/zcDIwtHgNgU/s1600/easter+4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One chilled out holiday bunny</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
4. Bring it back to your own childhood holidays. Eating ice creams in the sand, fish and chips at sunset, barbecues alongside friendly strangers in the caravan park, the smell of coconut sunblock, walks along the shoreline at dusk, searching for crabs, catching fire flies in the garden, midday naps, cuddles, dancing in the thunderstorms, riding a bike to the corner store, morning swims before brekkie, the things that slow us down, help us breathe, bring us closer without having to say a word.<br />
<br />
5. Give yourself time to unwind. If you're like me, it can take a few days (at least) to really detox from the hectic pace we've been working at. The constant damage control of being a parent is not a choice... it's a constant mind space. And once it's there, it's very hard to budge. So on this trip, allow a few days of the anxiety before you start to notice you don't leap, shout, whinge or hover every time your child reaches for something liquid across the table.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O3CQX2jg6ms/Uxb2C7LT0II/AAAAAAAABeA/uES6qSdhWFU/s1600/easter+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O3CQX2jg6ms/Uxb2C7LT0II/AAAAAAAABeA/uES6qSdhWFU/s1600/easter+5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stop the clock, reconnect</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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6. Less is more. Don't fill the car / suitcases with so much paraphernalia that you feel weighed down before you even leave the house. This is the trip that allows the kids to re-discover what being a kid used to mean. Leave the technology behind. Leave the games. Leave the work. Just take your bare essentials and each other and let mother nature provide the rest. But please, don't forget the nappies.<br />
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7. Bring it back with you. I'm not one for carting half the world home with you after a journey - but this Easter, allow yourself to bring home some shells, some photos, new recipes, new memories... these are the things that will help you get through the next chapter of crazy-busy... until, the next holiday.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2RAHLtwIfUM/Uxb2B4DDL8I/AAAAAAAABdc/HYeW3lilNCs/s1600/easter+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2RAHLtwIfUM/Uxb2B4DDL8I/AAAAAAAABdc/HYeW3lilNCs/s1600/easter+3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter collectibles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNFbLOEUBSQ/Uxb0FnBESjI/AAAAAAAABdI/sQmaOSg_KyI/s1600/glamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNFbLOEUBSQ/Uxb0FnBESjI/AAAAAAAABdI/sQmaOSg_KyI/s1600/glamp.jpg" height="244" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paperbark camp, NSW south coast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Oh, and for those of you who are anti-camping. Google "Glamping". I'm sure even Jesus would approve. Happy Easter everyone!!<br />
<br />
Rosie<br />
xxx <br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-15515538962162537032014-03-02T19:04:00.001-08:002014-03-02T19:07:02.980-08:00VANUATU WITH THE KIDS!!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I
promised I would start blogging in detail about specific destinations to travel
with your kids. No better place to start then, than Vanuatu, one of my top
three favourite places in the entire world.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I-_OP6OaoAA/UxPaPEx9DSI/AAAAAAAABaM/Acw_X9jMuiQ/s1600/37872_428100920848_7194630_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I-_OP6OaoAA/UxPaPEx9DSI/AAAAAAAABaM/Acw_X9jMuiQ/s1600/37872_428100920848_7194630_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local kids at Champagne beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AUnYiSBP94w/UxPbrknxEoI/AAAAAAAABag/2ILDTy9ewTM/s1600/7734_174889630848_2289244_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AUnYiSBP94w/UxPbrknxEoI/AAAAAAAABag/2ILDTy9ewTM/s1600/7734_174889630848_2289244_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Air Vanuatu - and the airport at a nearby island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">It
only takes a heartbeat to fall in love with Vanuatu. It’ll hit you the moment
you step off the plane – after a surprisingly brief three and a half hour direct
flight from Sydney (a godsend when you’ve got the little ones!) – and you are
swamped by a sensory explosion of warm sea breeze, the pungent smell of sweet
tropical frangipanis (as opposed to the other familiar pungent smells we
parents are usually swamped by), the sights of lush verdant jungle as far as
the eye can see and the foot-tapping drums and melodic voices of a local band
to welcome you at customs. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">And when I say customs, I mean two blokes sitting
behind a wooden desk smoking cigarettes and smiling because they have possibly
just had kava for lunch. You know this is going to be a great holiday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">As
far as the kids are concerned, this is the lushest playground they’ve ever
seen. An instant dose of freedom and let me just say outright, our kids are
like sharks, they can smell our fear, and our state of relaxation – and when
you step foot in this South Pacific Island Paradise, all your usual stresses
will evaporate, faster than your first cocktail, and somehow, your kids will
just follow suit!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Bn0G7vM7LM/UxPcIMv6crI/AAAAAAAABas/SDNKirX8yFM/s1600/IMG_1713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Bn0G7vM7LM/UxPcIMv6crI/AAAAAAAABas/SDNKirX8yFM/s1600/IMG_1713.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My evaporating cocktail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Western
rules don’t seem to apply in Vanuatu. And for most Aussies, that’s the best
reason to go somewhere for a little time out. Vanuatu has no parking meters, no
speed limits and word has it, if you’re caught drink driving it’s a $50 on the
spot cash fine and then you’re sent back on your merry way… behind the wheel. In fact, you will notice almost every car on the road simply has the kids sitting on laps, front seat and all, no carseats required. I'll leave it up to you if you choose to embrace this culture while you're there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-apkiMQ8VAy4/UxPbU_eHkNI/AAAAAAAABaY/mnKAZcaDlFY/s1600/IMG_5689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-apkiMQ8VAy4/UxPbU_eHkNI/AAAAAAAABaY/mnKAZcaDlFY/s1600/IMG_5689.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isabella's first driving lesson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Not
that I judge a place purely by its lack of regulations, and as a parent, I’d
like to think we are not driving around with drunk drivers on the roads, but it
is a reflection of Vanuatu’s culture in general. It was no accident this
tropical smorgasbord of 82 islands in the South Pacific was voted the happiest
place on earth in 2011 by the <span style="color: #2d343e;">New Economics
Foundation’s Happy Planet Index. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bg1LoyVz-vY/UxPdpKOksUI/AAAAAAAABbQ/vcWw1wzDGas/s1600/35125_428100595848_496687_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bg1LoyVz-vY/UxPdpKOksUI/AAAAAAAABbQ/vcWw1wzDGas/s1600/35125_428100595848_496687_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happiest people on earth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">It’s hard to be depressed in a place where the water temperature
never dips below 22 degrees even in the heart of winter. A place that’s known
as the premier scuba diving destination in the South Pacific for it’s vibrant
and untouched coral reefs… a place where the average café will have coconut
shell crab and fresh banana and pineapple juice smoothies on the daily
menu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your kid’s taste buds will explode
here, while your wallet won’t!!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLKPS61_iAQ/UxPw9mchA4I/AAAAAAAABco/3kq-ljjQKpY/s1600/7734_174890275848_8012557_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLKPS61_iAQ/UxPw9mchA4I/AAAAAAAABco/3kq-ljjQKpY/s1600/7734_174890275848_8012557_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh lobster for lunch anyone?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">And if you’re thinking this is just another tropical island
getaway where you spend all day every day working on your tan, dozing in a
hammock under a coconut tree with the smell of freshly caught fish grilling
along side while your kids play happily by the shoreline giggling with the
island children who teach them how to catch crabs - sure, you can do that. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_WG2_LIZ2U/UxPuTCtYg5I/AAAAAAAABb0/NdqSk2BoQDQ/s1600/IMG_4889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_WG2_LIZ2U/UxPuTCtYg5I/AAAAAAAABb0/NdqSk2BoQDQ/s1600/IMG_4889.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When was the last time you finished a book?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But
you can also go high octane, if that’s more your style and if the kids are a
little older and need some stimulation… Like abseiling down the middle of a roaring
waterfall. Or standing on the edge of an active volcano on the island of Tanna,
watching the fluorescent orange sparks of lava spew into the air right before
your very eyes… one of the only places in the world where tourists are
permitted to do this. Whatever your energy level, Vanuatu promises to keep your
kids entertained and deliver the best family photos your fridge will ever see!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yLwjWy2I-Mw/UxPdMM8iPjI/AAAAAAAABa8/_A8MQP8xkCw/s1600/37611_428100630848_4588559_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yLwjWy2I-Mw/UxPdMM8iPjI/AAAAAAAABa8/_A8MQP8xkCw/s1600/37611_428100630848_4588559_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Tanna Volcano... and my explosive hubby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">What most people don’t realise about Vanuatu is that it’s an
archipelago of volcanic origin. And apart from watching it at it’s most fiery,
you can also witness the effect it has on the colour of the water that flows
from the volcanic mountain ranges underground, through limestone caves and then
back up into pools of luminescent azure called ‘blue holes’. As the water filters
through the limestone it is naturally purified resulting in fresh water
swimming holes. To swim in these, found dotted within lush jungles throughout
the maze of islands can be described as a celestial experience. Imagine if the
little ones could boast learning to swim in a pool like this!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AQYVpiKV8Gs/UxPdc2LESDI/AAAAAAAABbE/1OGU06Ko1Nk/s1600/IMG_2649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AQYVpiKV8Gs/UxPdc2LESDI/AAAAAAAABbE/1OGU06Ko1Nk/s1600/IMG_2649.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Blue Holes in Vanuatu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">You would think the locals would worship these swimming holes as
their religion, but here’s the quirky part. Still on the island of Tanna, a
short flight from the capital island of Efate, the Ni-Vanuatu (inhabitants of
Vanuatu) have chosen a rather unorthodox deity to revere… none other than the
United Kingdom’s Prince Philip. It’s an official movement, within which Prince
Philip is recognized as God, since his visit to the island in the late 1940’s.
But if that’s what makes them happy then perhaps we’re the ones missing out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">This free-spirited island mentality goes beyond religion. In the
north of the islands, a person’s wealth is determined by how much one can give
away to others. As you can imagine, the wealthiest men in these villages change
rank much more rapidly than those on our traditional Forbes’ lists.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">After a trip to the Volcano and the Blue Holes, and perhaps a
quick visit to worship Prince Philip, you’re going to need to feed the kids up
with a decent meal. And it seems you’re in luck. The main source of income for
65 per cent of Ni-Vanuatu is agriculture and fishing. Although the number one
produce, over that of food crops is Kava, an age old herbal drink derived from
the root of a pepper plant, with hallucinogenic properties, Vanuatu being a
tropical fruit climate is never short of spices, papaya, mangoes, pineapples,
sweet potatoes, and coconuts, all of which form the basis for most meals, along
with the fresh local fish affectionately known as Poulet Fish (Chicken fish)
due to its abundance in the warm waters – and more specifically, the fact they
can pool a broad range of different fish into the one title. Every menu boasts
Poulet Fish. Even the most determined little eater won’t be able to resist the
flavours of Vanuatu’s menu!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hKSe4eHNHMM/UxPd-X-AAII/AAAAAAAABbU/MhS0NoQ8szA/s1600/IMG_4977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hKSe4eHNHMM/UxPd-X-AAII/AAAAAAAABbU/MhS0NoQ8szA/s1600/IMG_4977.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find time for a romantic meal at The Havannah<br />
(no kids allowed here, sadly!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">Need a nap? Afraid of getting hit on the head by a falling
coconut and keen on the idea of air conditioning for a good night’s sleep? Then
you have a plethora of choices, whether in and around Efate’s capital Port
Vila, or a short drive around the island to more remote luxury resorts, or
perhaps you choose to venture further afield to a nearby island such as
Hideaway, Espiritu Santo, Iririki, Mele, Bokissa or Erakor, there’s something
for every budget and every taste, and ALL of them LOVE kids! (with one
exception, the child-free resort of Havanna).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">And if the kids need entertaining in between their watersports
and jungle zipline adventure tours, you can teach them a little bit of the
national language Bislama. It’s a pidgin language, more widely spoken than the
official languages of French and English and has a comical array of expressions
such as “big bird in sky belong Jesus Christ”. Which means, airplane.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zrd9D1PBWjA/UxPkpvhsVVI/AAAAAAAABbk/OBvkwCUlTr0/s1600/IMG_4853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zrd9D1PBWjA/UxPkpvhsVVI/AAAAAAAABbk/OBvkwCUlTr0/s1600/IMG_4853.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids chatting amongst themselves in Bislama</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">But the part that will tear your heart out most as you head to
the airport for your flight home is discovering Vanuatu is an income tax haven.
Like me, you’ll be scribbling down the local real estate agent’s phone number
while stocking up on your new favourite coconut oil shampoo and Tanna coffee,
convinced this is a better way of life and you’ll be traumatised at the thought
of how many parking fines you’ve got waiting for you when you get home. Thank
God – or should I say thank Prince Philip – it’s so easy to return here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> THE KID FRIENDLY SPECIFICS:</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">FLY: Air Vanuatu operates two flights a day into Port Vila on the island of Efate - the Capital of Vanuatu. The flight is just over three hours from Sydney and if you book early enough, they can be really reasonable. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">STAY: There are SO many accommodation options available. The best thing is, almost every option is a kid friendly one, with swimming pools, wide gardens and warm clean beaches on offer. Some of our personal favourite hotels / resorts are: </span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">1. Mangoes Resort.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">2. Irririki Island Resort</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">3. Paradise Cove Resort</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">However, if you are brave enough, I would also suggest looking at private villa / beach house rentals that can offer a full time cleaner, babysitter, chef etc. Of these, you simply can't go past:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">1. Villa 25, Dream Cove</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">2. The Boathouse, Dream Cove</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">EAT: Port Vila itself is a very basic little town centre. (My fave is Elan).There are a couple of cute little cafes here, but if you're staying in your own villa, you're going to need to do your groceries - and there's a great little supermarket just out of town (not the busy one in the town centre) called Bon Marche. Please note that for some very odd reason, Vanuatu doesn't have (at all!) fresh milk. It baffles me, being a dairy producing island, but the only milk you can buy is long life milk. Took me ages to get my head around it. This can be an issue if you have little ones. You will also need to be wary of the water situation if your kids need sterilised water. Although it's nothing like Bali, it's probably still safe to buy bottled water and to boil all bottles etc. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">And as a small little sanity-saving note for the parents - I HIGHLY recommend you hire a babysitter (just book through your resort or villa $25 per 8 hour day, seriously!!) and take yourselves over to The Havannah Resort (about a 35 minute drive from Port Vila) for a romantic lunch on the pontoon. Book in advance to secure the best spot!)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">TO DO: There are fantastic little local craft markets in town most days. I always find beautiful baskets, rugs, jewellery, kids clothes, hats, sarongs etc here. Shopping wise, don't rule out Bon Marche for a stack of seriously cheap kid's toys, especially for water sports. (i.e., don't bring the stuff from home, its so much easier buying it here - even the reef walking shoes!). The other shops in town mainly consist of hot dollar style asian shops, with the bonus of loads of cheap dvd's and tourist knick knacks... and one or two fabulous boutiques for the serious shopper to be found (Frangippani Bay). There's also a fantastic new kid's shop in town that's owned and run by Aussie expats with an eye for great kids toys and all the practical paraphernalia you may need for your holiday at local Vanuatu prices (The Red Elephant).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">Other than shopping, be sure to visit the blue holes through a local tour group. Evergreen Vanuatu is a good one. They can also likely line you up with any water sports activities you may like to do. Canoeing is a definite! Horse riding on the beach is also a winner. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSracrrkkGM/UxPvGgHclFI/AAAAAAAABcM/-58xRDNBZIE/s1600/7734_174891575848_4542978_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSracrrkkGM/UxPvGgHclFI/AAAAAAAABcM/-58xRDNBZIE/s1600/7734_174891575848_4542978_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm on a horse.</td></tr>
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And don't forget the waterfall abseiling!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AxB6W6wTZkA/UxPu6KZ2-iI/AAAAAAAABcE/v4OE-v8UOkw/s1600/35046_428100995848_2462765_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AxB6W6wTZkA/UxPu6KZ2-iI/AAAAAAAABcE/v4OE-v8UOkw/s1600/35046_428100995848_2462765_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's actually me there at the top!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s_XUtLGJRtk/UxPunFR7hwI/AAAAAAAABb8/ptTFtNGr-S0/s1600/7734_174892475848_2566849_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s_XUtLGJRtk/UxPunFR7hwI/AAAAAAAABb8/ptTFtNGr-S0/s1600/7734_174892475848_2566849_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canoe into a blue hole</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">I recommend booking in for a lovely little sunset boat cruise around Port Vila's harbour one evening. It's a fantastic way to see the island as the sun sets across the bay. Meridian Charters do a lovely one. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">I also suggest hiring a car and doing a little road trip to a resort called Tamanu for a relaxing lunch. It's surprisingly easy to get around here. And if you get lost, it's part of the adventure! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">HEALTH: There's a great little French Medical Clinic in town in the event of any emergencies. The Doctor is one of the best i've ever met. And we did meet him once, when Isabella had a strange rash the week we were there. He pointed out that infection can be one of the big problems for kids, as there are so many island-borne bacteria there that our kids aren't usually exposed to. Also, Malaria does exist in Vanuatu. The chances of you or your kids getting it are very slim, but always good to be aware of and for this reason, I am always adamant about mozzie spray while we are there. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1JLfgF0culY/UxPvdBr46PI/AAAAAAAABcU/WWaaknlQHEI/s1600/IMG_5686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1JLfgF0culY/UxPvdBr46PI/AAAAAAAABcU/WWaaknlQHEI/s1600/IMG_5686.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isabella helps with the dishes</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #2d343e; font-family: Arial;">MENTAL STATE: This is where the most important information lies. The best thing about being away from home - is exactly that, you're away from your usual routine, your usual rules and your usual woes. Let yourself enjoy this trip, because if you can't let your hair down in Vanuatu, then where in the world can you?(Actually, you won't have a choice in Vanuatu, it's so humid your hair will have a mind of its own!). The kids will love you for your laid back island holiday style - and so will your hubby - and you may just find cutting a few corners makes you see your home routine in a new light by the time you get back. Remember, letting the kids climb into bed with you while you're away, or letting them eat dinner in the sand is not going to ruin them forever. In fact, it may surprise you just how well behaved kids can be when they're having the time of their lives! <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k-FgV-nlKvc/UxPwvApeXZI/AAAAAAAABcg/I-BcVhj2bOo/s1600/34862_428100965848_6648630_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k-FgV-nlKvc/UxPwvApeXZI/AAAAAAAABcg/I-BcVhj2bOo/s1600/34862_428100965848_6648630_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happiest kids on earth.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_dZ0iIRNt6c/UxPxupY0t3I/AAAAAAAABc0/VPpHC-Mwe10/s1600/IMG_2767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_dZ0iIRNt6c/UxPxupY0t3I/AAAAAAAABc0/VPpHC-Mwe10/s1600/IMG_2767.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Holidays in Vanuatu!</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-43542407988254943612014-02-27T03:00:00.000-08:002014-02-27T03:00:06.568-08:00GONE WALKABOUT...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7_HvBuKl_3w/Uw8ZCq1iwoI/AAAAAAAABZk/zQZuuUTqPD8/s1600/aussies+on+hols.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7_HvBuKl_3w/Uw8ZCq1iwoI/AAAAAAAABZk/zQZuuUTqPD8/s1600/aussies+on+hols.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aussies do holidays with energy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's true that most people around the world believe Australians are at the bottom of the universe. In many ways we are. But when it comes to travel, it means that when we set sail, we do it properly! We go for extended periods of time. We get our hands dirty. We play nicely with the strangers we meet. We live in the moment. We take the kids with us. And on that insanely long plane journey home, we comfort ourselves with plans for the next trip in the very near future!<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
My travels have been no exception and as such, I consider myself extremely lucky to say i've now managed to somehow visit quite a few destinations around the globe, either solo or with my husband and now, with the kids. Here are a few of my personal favourites.<br />
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<span lang="EN-US">SOUTH
PACIFIC / ASIA</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Vanuatu, </span>Fiji, Bali, Thailand, Hong Kong, New Zealand</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">AUSTRALIAN
ISLANDS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Magnetic Island, </span>Heron Island, Double Island</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">AUSSIE
HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The Great Barrier Reef, </span>Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Mid North Coast, Port Douglas, FNQ, NSW Snowy Mountains, The Blue Mountains, The Hunter Valley, Tasmania, The Barossa Valley, The Murray River</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">USA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Hawaii, </span>Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York, Portland</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">CANADA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Vancouver, </span>Whistler Ski resorts, Lake Louise, Banff</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">CENTRAL / SOUTH
AMERICA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Mexico, </span>Buenos Aires, Chile, Uruguay</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">EUROPE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">England, </span>France, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Greece (Santorini), Portugal, Czeck Republic (Prague), Belgium (Bruges), Denmark (Copenhagen), Corsica, Canary Islands, Austria (Vienna)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">SOUTH
AFRICA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Capetown, </span>Johannesburg, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, Sun City, Kruger National Park</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I'm not listing these destinations in an effort to brag. It should be said that I have visited these locations in various states of glamour. Some from a romantic Five Star perspective, many from a back packing viewpoint - and now, obviously, quite a few as a family. A majority of these trips have been far from glamorous! I even once cycled around Italy in a bikini. Seriously. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EHVIQnAxbKg/Uw8Z5IdajFI/AAAAAAAABZ8/cBVhrEcQVU0/s1600/aussie+ending.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EHVIQnAxbKg/Uw8Z5IdajFI/AAAAAAAABZ8/cBVhrEcQVU0/s1600/aussie+ending.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not me in a bikini - nor is it Italy</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">So, the reason I am listing these destinations is to say that I am available to anyone planning a trip to any of these destinations, to provide a personal insight into how they should survive the journey with kids in tow. I'm not just standing here giving you advice you could gain from google, I really have lived to tell the tales. And I would LOVE to pass on this personal detail to you. Feel free to email me any time. In the meantime, I am aiming to begin a new section of this blog, with specific chapters for many of these countries / cities / towns / beaches / rivers / train lines / roads / restaurants / hotels / bus stops / taxi ranks / kids clubs. You know what I mean. Taking requests now!! </span></div>
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Thanks for reading and stay tuned! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">love Rosie</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zun49AoJJFs/Uw8ZRf4mZOI/AAAAAAAABZw/je0nuGypOoA/s1600/aussie+jump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zun49AoJJFs/Uw8ZRf4mZOI/AAAAAAAABZw/je0nuGypOoA/s1600/aussie+jump.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go Aussie Go!!!<br /></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-24152350320184390502014-02-16T02:58:00.000-08:002014-02-16T02:58:08.873-08:00PACK AND DASH - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DE0SflvnqYo/UwCYmHAlkqI/AAAAAAAABZM/hy1tQpcYLvs/s1600/IMG_7327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DE0SflvnqYo/UwCYmHAlkqI/AAAAAAAABZM/hy1tQpcYLvs/s1600/IMG_7327.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MY MOST PRACTICAL ADVICE EVER</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is perhaps the most practical blog I am ever going to post. Keep it secret, keep it safe. This list of what to pack when travelling with your kids is going to come in seriously handy.<br />
<br />
There are two bags. One is the suitcase, for yourself and your two little ones. The other is your carry on bag. Then, you have your umbrella pram ($25 from target thank you very much) and your travel cot if required. (If you've got the dosh, get your hands on a baby bjorn travel cot. They seriously weight less than half of a standard travel cot and can be assembled in less than ten seconds. Remember, even a second hand e-bay version is a good option, assuming it hasn't been exposed to dust or used without a mattress protector.)<br />
Obviously, with the lists below, you will pick and choose what applies to you, depending on the location you're going to, the ages of of your children and if you're breastfeeding or not etc etc.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
THE SUITCASE:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z471h2Swzpw/UwCY1J_gfpI/AAAAAAAABZU/aR2z-XbTGZg/s1600/IMG_7485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z471h2Swzpw/UwCY1J_gfpI/AAAAAAAABZU/aR2z-XbTGZg/s1600/IMG_7485.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">READY MUM! Almost...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nappies - for the baby, at least six per day. For the toilet trained toddler, bedtime nappies, plus extras for long car trips / plane rides, when they may fall asleep. Always pack extra nappies! I know you can buy them when you're away - but who wants to waste time going shopping for nappies - and often when it's urgent?! The way I see it, you're going to be left with loads of space in the bag as you get through the nappies and this leaves room for extra things like shopping! Besides, nappies weigh very little.<br />
Swim nappies.<br />
Disposable nappy bags.<br />
Disposable nappy change mats.<br />
Wipes - both wet ones for hands and face - and the disposable flushable wipes for when you're out and about - saves SO much time instead of trying to bag or bin dirty wipes!<br />
Sanitising hand gel.<br />
Nappy rash ointment.<br />
Baby panadol / nurofen (whichever is your medicine of choice) and don't forget the syringe.<br />
Phernergen (if your kids are old enough and if you've done a trial at home before hand to test for the adverse reaction!). See previous blogs of mine for the full low-down<br />
Baby bath gels / kids shampoos / hair brush / moisturisers<br />
Hair bands / clips<br />
Kids toothbrush and toothpaste<br />
Bandaids and antiseptic cream<br />
Kids suncream<br />
Baby nail trimmers / nail file (depending on how long you're going for)<br />
Mosquito repellent (kid's deet-free version)<br />
Kid's hats<br />
Rash vests / bathers / swim floaties<br />
Pyjamas - warm and cool (air con can be so cold in hotel rooms!)<br />
Favourite sleep aid (bunny / blanket)<br />
Bedtime books (the smaller and lighter the better)<br />
Any favourite DVD's for those emergency moments in hotel rooms (and when dealing with jet lag)<br />
Any specific bottles / dummies / formulas etc<br />
Your bottle brush and small container of dish liquid (tightly sealed!)<br />
A separately sealed bag (plastic) containing any travel sized long life milk or food items such as baby squeeze pouches / teething rusks<br />
Baby bibs / spoons / sippy cups / water bottles<br />
Spare small resealable sandwich bags / small tupperware containers for making packed lunches and snacks when you're out<br />
A small container of laundry liquid - great for emergencies even if you only have a sink<br />
(depending on the age of your baby, travel microwavable sterilising bottle bags and your breast pump)<br />
Kid's shoes<br />
Warm clothes for the evenings<br />
When it comes to clothing choices - remember layers are best. And always opt for cotton leggings over jeans etc (they weigh less in your bag and are so much more comfortable for kids on long journeys!) Pack at least two to three outfits per day<br />
A lightweight rain jacket<br />
The pram waterproof cover<br />
Muslin cloths for breastfeeding / covering sleeping children in prams & cots / swaddling etc<br />
Any medical certificates you need<br />
Kid's sunglasses<br />
Kid's undies<br />
Any lightweight beach or pool toys that your kids are attached to<br />
Any small non-perishable food you can take for emergency breakfasts / dinner for the kids. Eg, Porridge sachets / kid's tins of spaghetti. Room service can be so expensive and sometimes doesn't cater well for kids - and can take forevvvvvver to arrive when your kids are losing it with hunger!<br />
Kid's socks<br />
A large spare plastic bag for dirty laundry<br />
<br />
<br />
FOR YOU:<br />
Disposable breast feeding pads<br />
Panadol / nurofen<br />
Walking shoes<br />
Bathers<br />
Mobile phone charger / car charger<br />
Camera (don't miss those amazing moments!) and charger<br />
Your medicare card that identifies your children's names along side yours (for domestic travel, obviously you will need passports for international)<br />
Toiletries - and don't forget the waterproof mascara for those extra hard days!<br />
Your multivitamins<br />
A pack of hydralite - great for a daily rehydration when you're away from home and not always remembering to drink enough water -and also a bonus if you get a sick tummy and need to flush it out!<br />
The rest I am sure you can think of for yourself<br />
<br />
<br />
CARRY ON BAG<br />
The iPad (fully charged and uploaded with kid's entertainment)<br />
The travel lunch box bag - packed with snacks, drinks, formula / milk<br />
Nappies (as many as you can carry!), wipes, disposable nappy mat, nappy poo bags<br />
Sanitising gel<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GVxx2oanz20/UwCYZZxKk6I/AAAAAAAABZE/anCX8ha3gZI/s1600/IMG_6317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GVxx2oanz20/UwCYZZxKk6I/AAAAAAAABZE/anCX8ha3gZI/s1600/IMG_6317.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The carry-on toy bag. Who's a big girl now?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Passports<br />
Muslin wrap<br />
Spare change of kids clothes<br />
Kid's jumpers (cold air con on planes)<br />
The phernergen<br />
Something for the kids to suck on for takeoff and landing to equalise their ears (e.g., drinks, lollipops, dummies)<br />
Your sunglasses, wallet, phone, foreign currency, travel visas, travel itinerary<br />
A pen<br />
Paw Paw ointment - god's gift for everything<br />
The baby bjorn<br />
A shawl / cardigan for yourself<br />
Toys for the kids (see my previous posts on detailed advice for this, namely the $2 dollar shop toys!) - although if you've got a toddler, you might want to pack a small "plane bag" for them that they can drag along on wheels themselves - makes them feel big and special - and takes the weight out of your bag. Make sure you name tag it.<br />
<br />
And on a small note - make your life easier - leave your favourite heels / boots at home, along with your bling jewellery, large belt buckle and gold rimmed sunglasses - anything that makes that airport security screen faster and smoother is now your best friend.<br />
<br />
The very last things to remember to pack are your sanity, your self compassion, your sense of adventure, your sense of humour and your compassion for your kids... this is just as overwhelming for them as it is for you. But it's always worth it in the long run.<br />
<br />
Bon voyage!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-79797111939228188822014-02-02T02:18:00.002-08:002014-02-02T02:18:14.924-08:00DIRTY LAUNDRY AND YOUR HEADSPACEA cheesy old one-liner of mine is that if you're going to have baggage it may as well be Gucci. Well, wouldn't you agree it has never applied more than when you're travelling with the little ones? <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTjTzYOLPaY/Uu4ZAirlCgI/AAAAAAAABYc/7P56dMq4RQw/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTjTzYOLPaY/Uu4ZAirlCgI/AAAAAAAABYc/7P56dMq4RQw/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this what your 'baggage' looks like?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Because let's face it, they have a way of making our personal 'baggage' resurface more than anyone else on earth can do... and for us parents, it can be the nastiest, most offensive conveyor-belt-covered-in-dirty-laundry style baggage imaginable. The type you take one look at and pretend you've never seen before in your life. Yes, whether we like it or not, we have the potential to lose it on the road with the kids mores than at home... we are stretched to breaking point, without our usual aids and necessities that get us through. (insert bottle of red here)<br />
<br />
So, How do we take a trip with the kids and maintain our dignity... keep our baggage intact? IS it even possible to achieve such a weighty task? And more importantly, how do we make it home, without a broken back and scar tissue that prevents us from wanting to pack that baggage and haul it off again with us for yet another trip down the track?<br />
<br />
Let's break it down. The top parenting experts advise us to be mindful of the extra pressure kids are under when out of their comfort zones. Their levels of anxiety from unfamiliar surrounds can <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9WdUN3PBaa0/Uu4ZdJ9jzjI/AAAAAAAABYk/iqM8e466LG8/s1600/IMG_9014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9WdUN3PBaa0/Uu4ZdJ9jzjI/AAAAAAAABYk/iqM8e466LG8/s1600/IMG_9014.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look Mum, I found your favourite lipgloss <br />and rubbed it all over my eyes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
skyrocket (visualise hideous tantrum here), causing panic attacks or public freak-outs at the most untimely moments (visualise running for the final boarding call of a flight while your names are being called). All because they are experiencing several things for the first time and often don't have a point of reference to help familiarise and calm themselves with. (e.g, This plane isn't the same as Mummy's car... if you're late for it, it's not going to sit patiently in idle until you've finished playing with your lego)<br />
<br />
We're also fully aware that kids don't have a level of shame when it comes to public displays of bad behaviour. In fact, the greater the audience, the greater their cause can be when getting what they want. We also often forget to inform our kids of every detail of our itinerary, so when they fail to comply with Mummy's daily agenda broken down into pockets of scheduled time specifically chosen with such precision so as to manage a trip to Sea World along with a morning nap - we feel that it's them pushing our buttons - instead of realising it's just them being on happy little kid-time, existing in the moment even when screaming defiantly "But I'm not tired!!!" at the top of their lungs while we carry them to the car because their arms and legs have begun to stop working. They often don't know any better.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nx8Oq9zymzY/Uu4Z1_4rwMI/AAAAAAAABYs/0CHYdH6MQu8/s1600/IMG_8166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nx8Oq9zymzY/Uu4Z1_4rwMI/AAAAAAAABYs/0CHYdH6MQu8/s1600/IMG_8166.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We survived our recent trip to SeaWorld - and so did the dolphin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So back to the original question - how do we keep our dignity and baggage intact? Perhaps it's easier than we think. You know that moment, when we see the path laid out before us, the two options - where we either turn left and drop our bundle, lose our dignity, behave like a screaming five year old and spontaneously self combust. Or, we turn right and we take a deep breath, we remember that these little ones are doing their best to cope with a challenging situation, away from home, away from security, with different physiological demands, not knowing what unexpected hurdle will be thrown at them next, how much waiting time, hot, hungry, bored, tired...<br />
<br />
And that's when it clicks. That compassion that we find for our kids - we need to also apply to ourselves. Because we are all stuck on that tarmac together. We are all cramped into that tiny hire car with a flat tyre on the side of the highway. And even more so, you're the one who is expected to calmly change that tyre while they get to sit in the back sucking on lollypops saying "are we there yet?!" No wonder we lose it. No wonder we end a holiday exhausted. No wonder we secretly sometimes look forward to the holiday ending so we can get home to do the laundry. Since when did being a parent mean we became super human?<br />
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So, the next time you see a parent's baggage on show, or you feel like yours is about to spill all over the zebra crossing as you race for the only taxi with a child seat, cut yourself some slack. Your baggage is more than likely far from Gucci and you're doing a bloody good job carrying it everywhere. I also find that it can help to explain to your little ones, no matter how little, that Mummy and Daddy are feeling very tired, sad, hungry etc too, just like them and that it would be really wonderful if they could do their very best to hang in there just a little bit longer until you can all stop and have an ice-cream together at the same time. Even if your little one is too little to understand, just saying those compassionate words out loud can feel like a weight (of heavy Gucci baggage) off your shoulders. And every now and again, your little ones might just surprise you.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FwgKam529-c/Uu4aRdVdB8I/AAAAAAAABY0/U6dcsVNlg58/s1600/IMG_8963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FwgKam529-c/Uu4aRdVdB8I/AAAAAAAABY0/U6dcsVNlg58/s1600/IMG_8963.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You sit down Mum, i'll do the groceries today.<br /></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-29798115796496662772014-01-22T02:38:00.004-08:002014-01-22T02:38:40.141-08:00AMATEUR HOUR AND ADVICE FOR GRANNIES<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bv_N2_FWa00/Ut-OObu8GfI/AAAAAAAABXc/ep1E8pusP1Y/s1600/IMG_8860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bv_N2_FWa00/Ut-OObu8GfI/AAAAAAAABXc/ep1E8pusP1Y/s1600/IMG_8860.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This seat's taken...<br /></td></tr>
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This week's travels have taken Frenchie and I on a short plane trip to my home town of Coffs Harbour (NSW Mid North Coast, Australia). It's just a one hour flight, and after the amount of travel i've done now with kids, I still managed to <strike>surprise</strike> flabbergahst myself at the amateur error I made on this journey.<br />
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I committed the greatest travel sin. What's the number one item you should make sure you don't leave home without? More important than your phone, your keys, the baby formula... more important than your husband... the NAPPIES!!!<br />
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And, of course, this is the fatal error I made, during the flight! I am fully aware that if I had realised prior to take off, I could have bought some. But mid air, in a teeny-tiny little Qantas-link twin engine puddle-jumper, these galleys are stocked for nuts, water, cookies and that's about it, no spare nappies. And I don't need to spell it out to you how it was that I came across this revelation. <br />
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So, after amateur hour passed, and we survived the flight without the nappy actually exploding, it was off to see Granny. This is where the real expert swooped in and reminded me how it is done.<br />
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Gone are the days when you could just throw the kids in the car, perhaps propped up on a phone book, seatbelt optional and hit the road with a cigarette in one hand and the cassette player pumped to full volume. Our parents' restrictions were, shall we say, loose.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6A4j7ji0la0/Ut-XPbJf-aI/AAAAAAAABXs/9T5G5kA5gDI/s1600/IMG_8759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6A4j7ji0la0/Ut-XPbJf-aI/AAAAAAAABXs/9T5G5kA5gDI/s1600/IMG_8759.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandpa duties, under control.</td></tr>
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It amazes me then, when I see grandparents (especially Grandfathers!) rock up to airports nowadays, with child seats accurately hired or bought and correctly installed, little umbrella prams ($25 from Target folks!!) and even the portable cot set up at home - seriously, those cots are insanely hard to work out - worse than assembling Ikea wardrobes!! But this is exactly what my folks managed to do. Wow.<br />
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But it was more than the logistics. These people are over 70 years of age. They have seen it all, and now, they've earned a darned good rest. Then along come the grand kids. Screaming, throwing tantrums, food and toys in every direction. Tightly wrapped in cotton wool, even tighter wrapped in new-age parenting rules and all the do's and don'ts of a modern over-regulated society. These kids are precocious, with shorter attention spans and bigger demands than ever. These are the kids that learn how to use iPhones and iPads before they can even spell the words. And we expect the Grandparents to nail the tasks in one! It's a phenomenal challenge we set them. And yet, I am immensely proud to say that the Grandparents in question took the challenge in their (double-hip-replacement) stride.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DtvfM_UfJEk/Ut-beIrdk1I/AAAAAAAABX4/vbnJHqB4Fr0/s1600/IMG_8835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DtvfM_UfJEk/Ut-beIrdk1I/AAAAAAAABX4/vbnJHqB4Fr0/s1600/IMG_8835.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not bad for 70! Go Granny!</td></tr>
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As I said, it's about more than the logistics. Because while us new-parents swoop in, knowing all when it comes to routines, self-settling, immunisation reminder apps, how to change a nappy with one hand and the latest organic travel food puree sachets, these are the people who remind us of the bigger picture. That it doesn't matter if baby gets their hands dirty learning to feed themselves, that it's really lovely to just let baby go nappy-free and feel the air on their bums for the first time in months, that a little bit of sand in their diet might just work like extra fibre at the end of the day.<br />
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Grand parents are there to keep us grounded. And what a magnificent job they do of it. So, the next time you shudder at the thought of a trip to see yours, and all the stress it's going to bring to a disrupted routine and the lack of attention to detail, think again. Because it's this break from the detail that reminds us how quickly our children grow, how important it is to let them play and get dirty and how lucky we are to have our children spend time in the arms of our parents.<br />
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So, advice for Grandparents. Sure, give it a go being all hip and organised, all strapped in and fan dangled with the latest carseats and highchairs. But most importantly, keep reminding us of the more important details, of the beauty of sunshine on our babies' backs, of just sitting and playing on the floor, of letting them fall asleep in our arms, of letting them hold the spoon, of leaving the shoes behind. And for this, we thank you for your endless wisdom. It will stand the test of time, long after the iPhones have been replaced.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NYrRSQLa7KU/Ut-ciTI5s_I/AAAAAAAABYE/te8AaHdG-jQ/s1600/IMG_8801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NYrRSQLa7KU/Ut-ciTI5s_I/AAAAAAAABYE/te8AaHdG-jQ/s1600/IMG_8801.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look Mum...Granny gave me a 'sand-wich'! </td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-7547633823158278632014-01-15T03:00:00.001-08:002014-01-15T03:00:47.573-08:00MILES - STONESTwo very significant events happened within our family this week. The first, our baby daughter Francesca learned to crawl. The excitement of this milestone was only slightly overshadowed by the fact that she learned to crawl on the skanky carpet of the Gate 19 Jetstar lounge of Sydney Domestic Terminal Departure Lounge while we were waiting for a one-hour-delayed flight to Queensland.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5thVNCbP6o/UtZiCpjSavI/AAAAAAAABWk/OA_3Tys5kjQ/s1600/IMG_6676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5thVNCbP6o/UtZiCpjSavI/AAAAAAAABWk/OA_3Tys5kjQ/s320/IMG_6676.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crawl baby, crawl! </td></tr>
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For just the briefest moment I felt a twinge of guilt that such an exciting event happened in such a transient, soul-less location. But at the same moment, there's that level of excitement that no parent can deny, even when their child is crawling across dirt-trodden carpet, worn down by hundreds of thousands of weary, grotty travellers, across hair, belly button fluff, crumbs, dandruff, pavement scum... your child is crawling!!! So, for this, we thank you, Jetstar, for your delays and tardiness. For your lack of apologies and your sub-standard, overpriced services. Thank you. Without this delay, with scunjy carpet, we may not have been such a present and captive audience (among tens of other adoring fellow cheering passengers, might I add) for our tiny, eight month old daughter's first crawls. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How many points should a two year old have?</td></tr>
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The second significant event to happen to our family this week is our eldest daughter Isabella (age two-and-a-half) received her first frequent flyer mileage status points update. Again, I met this milestone with a moment of pause and trepidation before celebration. How many two and a half year olds have mileage status point updates? (And a blog dedicated to them for that matter?!) And would it be morally wrong for a mother to claim her daughter's mileage points for upgrades before she is old enough to claim them herself???<br />
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But, I guess upon reflection, of both these milestones in the past week, the old reinforcement comes that keeps us trucking, together, across the skies year after year. If we had been at home, with one or both of us travelling solo then we would have missed these precious moments, however skunjy and fraught with angst, they would have just passed us by as a team unit.<br />
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So, for that, I thank you Jetstar. I thank you Sydney Domestic Terminal. I thank you Qantas Frequent Flyer. And most of all, I thank you, my husband Steven, for keeping us together as a family, across the skies, rain, hail or shine. And let's face it, a family-load of mileage points is better than none!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SeNCePLgmlw/UtZpna0zVpI/AAAAAAAABXM/Ml16h55O6go/s1600/IMG_8689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SeNCePLgmlw/UtZpna0zVpI/AAAAAAAABXM/Ml16h55O6go/s320/IMG_8689.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Jacobs, rain, hail or shine. </td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-71016357537131549362014-01-11T02:42:00.000-08:002014-01-11T02:42:07.470-08:00SURVIVING THE ELEMENTS<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-49evBMAcEgM/UtEfx-P63GI/AAAAAAAABV0/1cY4ffilfoM/s1600/IMG_8667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-49evBMAcEgM/UtEfx-P63GI/AAAAAAAABV0/1cY4ffilfoM/s1600/IMG_8667.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Has anyone seen the kids?</td></tr>
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We have just returned home from a ten day holiday at Port Douglas (Far North Queensland) where we hired a small private villa for the four of us, plus another family with a two year old. It was one of those trips that could either be a very, very good idea... or a seriously fatal mistake.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-39CbdL3NITA/UtEZ1D7g1-I/AAAAAAAABVI/FwlrZGEGsBA/s1600/IMG_8455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-39CbdL3NITA/UtEZ1D7g1-I/AAAAAAAABVI/FwlrZGEGsBA/s1600/IMG_8455.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braving the elements at bath time </td></tr>
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Thankfully, due to the amazing friends we have, it was a brilliant trip. Although, it wasn't without several adventures and dare I say it, a handful more incredibly helpful tricks of the trade gained along the way.<br />
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This was officially our first "group holiday". In some ways travelling with another family (including the flights) was a fantastic experiment. The kids kept each other entertained. Between four parents we were able to tag team for a couple of nice dinners out. And eight hands were definitely better than four when it came to getting all the routine kid things done in a foreign environment, like bath time!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eDtxM5Zci2Y/UtEZohs5VwI/AAAAAAAABVA/Z4nvZVw3jts/s1600/IMG_8434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eDtxM5Zci2Y/UtEZohs5VwI/AAAAAAAABVA/Z4nvZVw3jts/s1600/IMG_8434.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inflight creche!</td></tr>
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In other ways however, it was tricky at times. The kids wanted to do the same stuff at the same time, such as sitting together on the plane (Steven drew the short straw for the outbound flight and created something of a creche!) And as you can imagine, tantrums broke out if parents attempted different rules for different kids, like who was allowed to eat a meal in front of the TV or who was allowed to go swimming or not etc.<br />
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But, I guess that's the thing about being away from home - you break some rules, you allow certain habits to slide and you compromise with what's a priority to you in order to get through the holiday in one piece. And in my experience, breaking the rules on a trip hasn't made it at all difficult for us to re-instate our usual rules the second we get back through the door at home.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lFvAuBwIBco/UtEclHeGsMI/AAAAAAAABVU/4BHVmVo6VXE/s1600/IMG_8652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lFvAuBwIBco/UtEclHeGsMI/AAAAAAAABVU/4BHVmVo6VXE/s1600/IMG_8652.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frenchie's first stinger suit experience!</td></tr>
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But speaking of 'surviving' the trip... it has to be said that this trip was one of the most challenging for us with kids, for several very real, very scary reasons. The first was the fact you couldn't swim at the beach. At all. If you're not familiar with The Great Barrier Reef, then you'll be amazed to know that a particular breed of jelly fish contaminate the oceans of Far North Queensland in the summer months and a sting can be fatal, especially for kids. We did do a day trip out on the reef to an island called Low Isles and there they allow you to swim, but only if clad in a 'stinger suit' that thankfully is no longer a bright blue smurf-colour, but now more of a James Bond black. And they make them for kids - although as you can see below, they aren't exactly a great fit on infants!<br />
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The second hazard, and it's a significant one, was that our villa was located directly next door to a crocodile infested creek. Seriously. In fact, almost every water-way was crocodile infested. And there were signs up everywhere telling you so. It was only after I had been pushing my two-year-old Isabella on the local playground swing that i noticed a sign in front of the equipment saying "Achtung! Crocodiles inhabit this area. An attack could be fatal".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AbjH9R3taqY/UtEdYPC2YUI/AAAAAAAABVg/igIoaU_Gspo/s1600/IMG_8497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AbjH9R3taqY/UtEdYPC2YUI/AAAAAAAABVg/igIoaU_Gspo/s1600/IMG_8497.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crocodiles inhabit this area. Seriously, that's the sign!</td></tr>
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And to think I am usually dealing with such concerns as applying enough sunscreen and did I remember the favourite pink drink bottle? In a strange way, it helped put my usual dilemmas in their place.<br />
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But the mother of all dangerous elements came when the two large birds we had seen nesting in our backyard all week began behaving very strangely and we discovered the reason why. A large, brown, aggressive snake had been casing the yard in search of the bird's egg. And he won. We googled the snake after having got a close look at it through the window (I HATE snakes!!!) and after consulting the local reptile park experts, we are almost certain it was a coastal Taipan, common to the region. No big deal - just the world's third most dangerous snake. In our back yard. A long haul flight with a screaming child is never going to be so scary again.<br />
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And so, we passed the week in one piece, just. The kids are still bests. The parents are all still laughing (and breathing). And a few new lessons were learned in terms of breaking the rules, compromising with other families, teaching our kids about the genuine dangers of the world and I even managed to almost finish a magazine after ten days!! Can't wait for our next group holiday!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JHTghJFggR4/UtEfiKZ8Y6I/AAAAAAAABVs/S_Rzn47r9VM/s1600/IMG_8662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JHTghJFggR4/UtEfiKZ8Y6I/AAAAAAAABVs/S_Rzn47r9VM/s1600/IMG_8662.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We survived the trip!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-35294672851445635082013-12-25T21:34:00.002-08:002013-12-25T21:34:38.890-08:00LIFE CHANGING TRAVEL FACTSTIP 1:<br />
Did you know that the 100ml liquid rule doesn't apply to baby liquids? Im not kidding. With any luck the world's terrorists aren't reading my blog. And no, it doesn't mean you can now sneak through your extra bottles of perfume and Chandon in the name of "baby liquid". But it does seriously change a few things if your child is still on the bottle.<br />
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Put simply, it means that when you are passing through customs (anywhere in the world, including Los Angeles!) and the security check requires you to declare all liquids, you simply pull out the bottles of liquid that are required for your baby's journey and identify it as such. If it isn't in a sealed container i.e, a poured bottle of milk, then the interesting thing that they are usually required to do is to run the bottles through a particular scan to test if it contains an explosive substance of any form, and then (this was the part that really threw me the first time, I though they were taking the piss!) they ask you to sip a small amount of the liquid in front of them to prove it is edible. (once again, another good reason why you shouldn't attempt to hide your extra duty free perfume using this method).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S08vMoNZD4Y/Uru9iqK209I/AAAAAAAABUc/bEcxoMRQXOk/s1600/IMG_3261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S08vMoNZD4Y/Uru9iqK209I/AAAAAAAABUc/bEcxoMRQXOk/s320/IMG_3261.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have your milk and drink it too!</td></tr>
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In saying that, I want to also point out that almost every international and most domestic airline I have travelled with have happily and promptly provided any milk and bottle top ups I have requested during flights, at no charge. If you require your own special milk (or breast milk etc) and don't want to rely on the airlines for it, then the air staff are also more than capable of storing your milk in the galley fridges for you too, since a long haul flight requires your milk to remain chilled (along with your state of mind).<br />
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Airlines have been around for a while. Long enough to know that a dilemma such as a hungry baby or a child with an explosive nappy is a potential threat to inflight safety, and as such, MANY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS STOCK EXTRA NAPPIES AND FORMULA IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES. Never a good idea to rely on this emergency stash, but good to know all the same. Think of it as your parachute.<br />
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TIP 2:<br />
Next, the baby bjorn rule. It drives me nuts every time I have to pass through a customs security check point at an airport, and every airport has a different rule when it comes to the "baby bjorn" rule. This refers to whether or not they require you to remove your (often sleeping) angel from the baby <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bjorn again!</td></tr>
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bjorn, put it through the security conveyor belt (the bjorn, not the baby) and then re-attach baby to your bjorn two metres and one X-ray machine later. I am the first to agree that safety comes first and I am more than willing to oblige by any rules that mean we are all less likely to be blown up mid air, but it would make my day a lot easier if the airports across the globe (or even just the ones in Australia) could agree on the same protocol. However, because there are some airports that don't require you to remove the bjorn and sleeping baby (because it has no metal in it at all) I always make the effort to ask at each airport before I automatically remove it. Those few times when they wave you through are so, so worth it.<br />
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TIP 3:<br />
Flushable wipes. Oh yes my friends, they exist. They can be found in your average supermarket (Woollies, Coles in Aus) in the toilet paper section (strangely not in the baby products area) and they come in the exact same travel friendly packaging as your regular Johnson & Johnson baby wipes. Only, they can be flushed!!!!! Wooohoooooo!!!!! No more man-handling poopy nappies in your left hand, poop covered wipes in your right hand, whilst precariously balancing your <strike>wriggling</strike> super cute baby above a teeny tiny, ecoli strewn airplane toilet. Flush and walk away!!<br />
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INTERESTING FACT 4:<br />
Being Australian, it is common practice to be handed an infant seatbelt as soon as you board a plane. (Domestic included). In fact, a plane is not permitted to take off if a child is not wearing a seatbelt, be it their own if they are older than two years of age, or the special separate one that attaches to yours so they are sitting on your lap for babies. So, you can imagine how odd it is when you board a flight, anywhere in America, for example, and the flight stewardesses say "a <i>what</i> sweetie?!" when you ask them for an infant seatbelt. I don't know the reasoning behind why they don't provide them (ahem, CHEAP airlines!!) but according to the safety regulations, you are also better off NOT STRAPPING YOUR <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Issy strapped in, age three weeks</td></tr>
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INFANT INTO YOUR OWN SEATBELT as a back up option. Apparently, if in the event of an incident, the force of your own body would potentially crush your infant strapped inside your belt - which would be more damaging than the impact they would receive by being simply let to fly around the cabin. As I said, either way, I simply cannot understand why ANY airline would allow any passengers, especially the infants to travel without a seatbelt, but that's the way it is. And that's the reason why you can't strap them inside yours.<br />
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TIP 5:<br />
If your little one is of the age where he/she can sit patiently and engage in an iPad or portable DVD player etc of any form, then they must also (according to most airlines) have their own set of headphones. I learnt this the hard way on a flight from LA to CANCUN, Mexico. Two year old Isabella has recently discovered kids movies we downloaded to our iPad as a brilliant form of inflight entertainment. Much to our delight also!!! So you can imagine how frustrated we were when we were told she "had to have the device plugged into headphones or on silent" for the comfort of other passengers. Does anyone know a two year old who enjoys wearing small ear plugs?? And no, we didn't have a lovely set of children's head phones at hand. So, she simply had to watch Nemo on silent. Seriously.<br />
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So, they are some tips of the day. Again, they are things i've found out the hard way. If you've got any more to add, PLEASE email them through!! As the General in the kid's movie "Ants" would say, "It's for the good of the colony!"<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-26171056923789009952013-12-19T03:11:00.000-08:002013-12-19T03:11:12.084-08:00TWO MUMS ARE BETTER THAN ONE!In recent discussions with my friends, family and colleagues (and total strangers) I have become increasingly aware of just how many personal tips Mums and Dads have for travelling with kids but have never thought to share them!<br />
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Let's change that! Because quite seriously, some of these tips are fantastic!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you hold my child please?</td></tr>
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Like, for example, my friend Caroline who has a darling little 20month old boy called Edward and is six months pregnant with her second. She is English but lives here in Australia. Hence, she has some experience when it comes to travelling with little ones on long haul flights.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rather sit next to this one?</td></tr>
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Caroline mentioned yesterday that she has found a very distinct difference between the treatment she is given from airline staff if she makes an effort to "spruce up" her little one prior to boarding the plane! In other words, if she boards that flight with darling little Edward covered in snot, breakfast and half a container of play dough, whilst still wearing his <strike>half disintegrated</strike> favourite spaceship pyjamas, then she is in for a rough flight. On the other hand, if she boards with Edward, hair neatly combed, shoes on the right feet, clean t-shirt, nose freshly wiped, and perhaps a cute teddy bear tucked under one arm, the response is instantly a positive one... from airline staff and from fellow passengers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, this is taking it one step too far!</td></tr>
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Perhaps that one should be an obvious one. But, I have to say, in my experience of sitting next to fellow travelling parents with their kids, nine out of ten of them think it is acceptable to let their little ones resemble homeless monsters just because they are on a plane. It doesn't do them any favours. And understandably, there's no way in hell you're going to have them looking immaculate when you're disembarking (or even half way through that flight) but its the first impression that makes the difference.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Try the Trunki for a cool travel case</td></tr>
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Another great tip from a dear friend Jo. She recently bought her little boy Ollie a "Trunki" suitcase for the long haul flights she does with him from Australia to the UK. A Trunki is essentially a kid's travel case on wheels, with a lead you pull along like a horse and the kids can either pull it themselves (hello novelty!) or sit on it and be pulled along by Mum or Dad through the airport. They are usually groovy colours and i'm yet to see a kid with one who isn't grinning like a cheshire cat. They easily fit in the overhead lockers on flights and are a great way of keeping their gear separate from your own. Also, a brilliant alternative for toddlers, if you're now travelling without the pram or have checked it in with your luggage and want to zoom around the airport without using the <strike>grotty</strike> kindly supplied airport prams. Kind of like a pram and a travel case in one... kills two birds with one stone. They're not out of control expensive either - around $60 AU. A good investment if you do a fair amount of travel - or even as little overnighters for visiting friends.<br />
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Another tip is all about child psychology in the lead up to the trip. Our kids may be young, but they ain't stupid and you would be amazed how far a little bribery can go. Even if it is on your terms either way! Reason with them. Practice your Balinese bartering on them. Describe to them what is on offer, in their favour on board that plane, if they behave their very best. There is inflight entertainment (movies, games, tv series). There are desserts with the meals. There's a bag of toys they've never seen before that you cleverly bought at the Hot Dollar shop the week before. Seriously, word them up. And then they are essentially working for the reward system by getting these things as incentives for being a little angel instead of jumping on board, behaving like ratbags and then being given a stack of entertainment to get them to pull their heads in (negative reinforcement).<br />
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So, these are just a few tips i've gained from amazing, brave, well travelled women I know. I'd also like to hear your tips, if you're reading this and you've got one to add. Email me. rosiejacobs24@gmail.com<br />
I bet you've got one...<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-20338748896056129342013-12-14T03:25:00.001-08:002013-12-14T03:25:27.981-08:00ON THE UPSIDE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It dawned on me yesterday, while telling a friend about my exciting new blog, that what I have begun to do to myself is not only experience several degrees of hell while travelling with kids, but now I am essentially re-living that hell by writing about it all over again!</div>
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But as you know, the reason I am choosing to continue to do so is in the hope that it may in some way help others avoid my hellish experiences as they travel. </div>
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It also dawned on me that there are in fact, several surprise upsides to consider about your trip with the littlies that you may want to focus your thoughts on instead of the poop. And there are some fantastic upsides! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suddenly bath time becomes fun again!</td></tr>
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For example, if you're a stickler for routines (most parents realise kids benefit enormously from routines and a regular order to their day. i.e, dinner, bath, book, bed = Foolproof) then you may be relieved to hear the following. Your fears about them being away from home, in a foreign environment, with foreign times, foods, people, baths, beds etc... let them go. (The fears, not the kids). You'll know what i'm talking about when I say that I am always surprised that my child has graduated to the next stage of development - be it moving up to a 'big girl bed' or finally letting go of the 'bottle of milk at bedtime'. <b>A trip away does in fact become the most perfect time to remove bad habits from home (without them sometimes even noticing!) or a clever time for you to introduce an exciting new stage for them, in a fun and adventurous way (that then comes home with them too!)</b></div>
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On our last trip to Mexico, the villa we rented in Tulum had a second bedroom with two single beds. We have been wanting to move Isabella into a 'big girl bed' for a little while now at home, instead of the cot. She is two. So, we bought a little butterfly mobile to hang above the big girl bed in this villa, threw the second mattress down on the ground next to it and turned it into an exciting new holiday adventure for her to sleep in a big girl bed. She loved it so much that when we got home we raced out and bought the big girl bed and she is now happily transitioned into it without even so much as a yelp of disagreement!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big girl bed success!</td></tr>
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I also noticed on another trip when Isabella was just about seven months old and we were touring around Chile and Uruguay that she suddenly learned the art of crawling (instead of just body sliding) and even crawling up and down stairs, as well as pulling herself up onto her feet whilst holding the furniture. Why, suddenly was this happening when I had been trying so hard at home to get her to grasp these new stages?? What did Chile have that our home didn't? The answer... carpet. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course i'll put my pyjamas on mum!</td></tr>
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And, if you're like me and you dread certain parts of every day that you know, like clockwork, are going to be painful, like the post midday sleep cranks that your toddler gets, or the hideous game of cat and mouse that happens when you are trying to get them dressed for daycare in the mornings, or the tantrums that inevitably come when they are bored, have seen their own toys a thousand times, watched their own dvd's backwards and upside down two hundred times... a trip away is the most amazing chance to have a well earned break from those daily grind habits and if you're really clever, not allow them to resume again when you get home. (This usually involves talking to your child as an adult and telling them how awesome it has been for both parties to not have to do those yukky tantrums anymore and how proud you are of how grown up they are now that they don't need to do it anymore!) Doesn't work every time, but its always worth a shot! </div>
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So, the next time you feel that wave of anxiety at the thought of the upheaval of a trip somewhere with the kids, remember too the feeling of banging your head against the wall at the monotony of those tiny things in your daily life that drive you nuts, but that you're probably just accustomed too also. <b>Your next trip is your chance to sneak in all the changes you've been wanting to make at home! </b></div>
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NB. It is still worth mentioning that it takes a little faith and creativity on your part to allow those changes to happen... taking some risks, like letting your adorable little angel sleep in a big girl bed without all the whiz bang side protectors and monitors etc that you'd normally have at home. Take some chances. Break the rules. Make some changes. You might be amazed. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-11920765112063419452013-12-06T22:02:00.000-08:002013-12-07T16:58:15.883-08:00SHORT FLIGHT OR LONG HAUL... SIZE DOESN'T COUNTYesterday I flew solo with both the kids from Sydney to the Gold Coast (about an hour and fifteen minutes for those not familiar). It's a quick trip for the weekend to meet up with Steven while he is working up here hosting a travel conference. Only three nights away - but that's better than us not seeing him at all for a couple of weeks while he's on the road.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">literally climbing the walls!</td></tr>
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Anyway, it took me about two hours to pack, including everything from the suitcase filled with clothes, nappies, toiletries, bedding, swim gear, medicines, baby foods, formulas, the car bassinet, nappy bag, Issy's toy bag for the flight, bed-time books, the pram and thank god I already had a travel cot lined up at the accommodation.<br />
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But, it dawned on me, when we were finally in the air and as Isabella was refusing to sit in her own seat with her seatbelt on, play dough splattered across the aisle, Francesca screaming for a feed and the hostess asking me for $6 for the (life-or-death) glass of white wine I had ordered to go with my lunch (how very dare she?!!), which was inconveniently tucked deep inside my wallet somewhere in the overhead compartment... that a short flight still requires almost exactly the same amount of preparation and precision as an international flight. The only difference being the requirement of a passport - and that an international trip should have a light at the end of the tunnel - being a holiday.<br />
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In fact, sometimes a short flight can be marginally harder. The planes are smaller. They are often less prepared for children traveling (no child meals available), there are no bassinets for infants, limited change tables on some flights, more turbulence, fellow passengers are less forgiving - often businessmen returning from meetings etc, the inflight entertainment is limited - especially for kids, and the flights are more likely to be experiencing delays. It's a poop-sandwich.<br />
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So, in this particular instance - if I am claiming to provide any advice whatsoever within my blogs, today it's this. Be as prepared as you can be in the lead up for a short flight, obviously - but then when the poop hits the propeller, as it inevitably does, even to the most experienced of travellers with kids, then there's only one thing left to do... allow yourself a little self compassion. Imagine your best friend is sitting next to you on that plane, whispering "breathe". Because, quite frankly, there are times when that's all you can do beyond what you're already doing. Short flights are hard. It's a military operation.<br />
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Oh, and for the record, the hostie never cam back to collect that $6 from me for the glass of wine. Sometimes they can show a little compassion which goes a long way too. Thank you Qantas.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-36864538955928494062013-12-05T02:32:00.001-08:002013-12-05T02:58:48.515-08:00HOW BAD CAN EXPLOSIVE BE???Maybe you're reading this blog for the first time, thinking to yourself "this is a bit of a no-brainer". "How hard can it be to get on and off a plane with a small infant?"<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It happens to the best of them!</td></tr>
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Let me put it in perspective for you. In the past two days I've had close girlfriends generously share their intimate tales of horror when traveling with their little <strike>terrors </strike>darlings on overseas flights. I'd like to share a snippet with you now. Make sure you're not eating when you read this.<br />
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The first is my friend Sarah, who describes checkin at the airport in London as breezy, giving her eldest, Scarlett, a bottle of milk from the airline lounge before boarding the plane home to Sydney. The milk must have been off because as she was preparing to step foot onto the plane, with two hundred odd passengers lining up behind her, for what was going to be a loooong journey in economy, Scarlett felt the sudden urge to projectile vomit her entire day's food and beverage all over herself, the pram, her parents and the airline hostess checking their boarding passes.<br />
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Sarah was lucky to make that flight, after she raced Scarlett into the nearest toilet, literally hosed her down in the sink, threw a blanket around her, left the cheap travel pram behind and ran back to board the plane.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aim that poop-shooter at someone else!</td></tr>
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Still not convinced this blog can be life-savingly useful? Then perhaps Rachael's story will convince you. It was when she had taken her one year old to the teensy toilet cubicle mid flight to Germany that she became aware her baby had explosive diaorreah. It also happened to be during a particular patch of bad air turbulence and Rachael simply says the "Sh#t was EVERYHERE!"... on her baby, on her, on the walls, the mirror... oh yes, and then the nausea kicked in. I don't think I need to spell out the rest, but let's just say what added to that mess was that she was out of nappies. It seems no-one had told her that for any flight, you need to PACK ALMOST TWICE THE NUMBER OF NAPPIES AS YOU WOULD NORMALLY GO THROUGH! (Perhaps my most valuable tip of all time).<br />
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I am not a scientist so cannot explain exactly why it is, but your baby's tummy is a little like the water bottle in your seat pocket that expands and squashes with the altitude of international flights. Yes, that means they poop way more than usual. Be prepared!! I'm only going to say that once. But I will add that along with a change of clothes (or two) for your little ones, do yourself a favour and pack a light change of clothes for yourself. There's nothing like greeting your in-laws at the airport with skid marks of poop and vomit down your front.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So cute and yet so, so dangerous</td></tr>
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Also worth realising is that although your flight itself may only be eight or twelve hours, you have travel time to and from the airport, the inevitable check-in wait time of two hours before the flight and then factor in the possibility of your flight being delayed for any length of time. This is the amount of nappies you need to have at your immediate disposal during your trip.<br />
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(I am going to mention that most international airlines do have a secret stash of nappies on hand in case of emergency... but maybe best not to rely on this.)<br />
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And here's a personal tale of anxiety that I have experienced during a trip when Isabella was turning one and Steven and Isabella and I were flying from France to Los Angeles. I remember it well because I believe I will be personally scarred by this for many years to come. Steven's work had him booked in Business as usual (lucky boy) while my upgrade hadn't come through. (C'est la vie). I was seated in a window seat and since Issy was still under two, she was on my lap. We did, however, have a bassinet seat. Although, this turned out to be a nightmare. After being stuck on the tarmac for close to two hours due to some mechanical fault, and with Isabella screaming blue murder (that back-arching rage of an infant that absolutely nothing can reason with) at being strapped in with no-where to go and the air conditioning not working a treat, we were just begging for this flight to be over and done with. But then it got worse. The flight finally took off and Issy was put to sleep in the bassinet in front. But then the meals were served and the nasty old French man (I happen to think most French men are lovely, having lived in France, but let me assure you, this one was not) decided to put his legs up, along with his meal tray, as well as his fold-up movie screen, and then fall asleep, effectively blocking me from being able to leave my seat in any way whatsoever. I'm not a panicker. I don't suffer claustrophobia. But on this occasion, Isabella woke again with another blood curdling tantrum and I admit I suffered a full blown anxiety attack, and I couldn't get out. The hosties were horrid and tried to refuse me access to business class to reach Steven for help. Eventually I carted myself off to the toilets to regain my composure and to promise myself I will never, ever, ever be booked in a window seat with a child on my lap and a stranger next to me again. It's aisle seats all the way from here people!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers to a poop-free flight!</td></tr>
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Anyway - long story short. This blog is not just a tale of woes. It is hopefully one that scares the poop out of you, to the extent where it makes you learn from my mistakes. If I had read a blog by someone with tips and advice before I started out on all my journeys it would have made my life a whole lot easier. So, this is what I aim to do for you.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-75197061304870669482013-12-03T20:12:00.000-08:002013-12-03T20:12:07.574-08:00THE GREAT PHENERGEN DEBATE <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To drug or not to drug, that is the question... </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Issy, sleeping like a baby.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you haven't heard of Phenergen then it's only a matter of time. It's been around for decades (your parents will know of it) and it is most often known as a sedative to help during travel. Your kids... not you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Technically speaking though, <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Phenergan is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in your body. It </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">is often used to treat allergy symptoms such as itching, runny nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, hives, and skin rashes. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Phenergan also prevents motion sickness and treats nausea and vomiting or pain after surgery. It is most commonly known among parents as a sedative or sleep aid.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"> <a href="http://www.drugs.com/phenergan.html">http://www.drugs.com/phenergan.html</a> </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That being said there are certain things you need to know about Phenergen before making your decision to use it or not for your trip. (And I take no responsibility for any actions taken by you when it comes to administering drugs to kids). </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This child (Isabella) was not drugged for the purposes of this photo<br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First up, Phenergen is not recommended for use in children under the age of two. Steven and I personally took this rule quite seriously, as not even our local pharmacist would allow us to purchase a bottle of it over the counter without knowing our child was over the age of two. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The reason for it is that it can affect a child's breathing - especially if the child has a history of breathing related problems, such as asthma. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In saying that, a personal experience springs to mind, when our daughter Isabella was around 19 months she had an infection in her elbow from a mosquito bite in Vanuatu! She was admitted to the Sydney Children's Hospital (Best kid's hospital in the world!) and was treated with a series of antibiotic drips. However, the pain was horrible for our precious little girl. It broke our hearts to see her in so much agony. The Doctors surprised us by giving us a prescription for Phenergen to help her sleep at night until the infection was cleared. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Issy (left) does Vanuatu!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">I remember the conversation well when I expressed my surprise because she was under two. The doctor (one of the best paediatric specialists in the country) replied... "Phenergen is fine for kids over 18 months. The warning is generally there as more of a precaution than anything." And, admittedly, it worked a treat for us.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The final tip I have about this one though... TEST it before you travel!!! You would be amazed at how many of my friends say their little darling is one of the rare few who have an adverse reaction to Phenergen and instead of bringing on a peaceful long sleep, it does exactly the opposite and causes a hyperactive bouncing-off-the-walls reaction. No one wants that!!! So, the general advice is to do a little trial run one night at home before the trip and establish that your child is not one of those who turns into a gremlin after midnight!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With all of this in mind, if you do go ahead with it, I suggest waiting until you are onboard the plane, allowing your little one to be familiar with the transition onto the plane (which avoids the freak-out of waking up in such a foreign environment), to enjoy the excitement of the take-off experience, to perhaps have a little bit of something to eat and watch a little inflight entertainment or read a book etc (in keeping with their usual night time routine) and sneak that Phenergen into their bottle of milk and then watch them fade within about 30 minutes.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ratua Vanuatu. In my top three destinations!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Worth bearing in mind of course is how long your flight is, and the time zone difference when you arrive (and how long you're in that country for). For example, if it's a 22 hour flight from Sydney, Australia to London Heathrow, you would want your child to have a full amount of sleep as they would have when they are at home for a 24hr cycle. However, you want to time it so that they are not buzzing awake when you're landing at 8pm at night. But like I said, sometimes you may or may not choose to adjust your child to the new time zone if you're only there for a few days. Anything more than five days is sufficient for me to try to get the kids to adjust. But that's another story...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy sleeping!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And for the record, we have no regrets about the trip to Vanuatu - despite the mozzie bite! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-12975115992251201222013-12-03T02:10:00.001-08:002013-12-14T14:31:25.041-08:00WHY I AM BLOGGINGI'm sure you're wondering just why i'm dedicating an entire blog to advice from my personal travels. Let me put it in perspective for you.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isabella's first flight aged three weeks</td></tr>
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My husband travels around 300 days a year for work. We try to go with him as much as possible. It was a decision we made early on that our babies are better off being with their parents no matter where. So, we take to the skies on a seriously regular basis. Add to that, I am also a travel presenter, for the Seven Network here in Australia. <a href="http://us.sydney.com/Rosie_Jacobs_p3761.aspx">http://us.sydney.com/Rosie_Jacobs_p3761.aspx</a> </div>
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My background is as a television journalist and i have worked for the past twelve years across the major networks in Australia both presenting and producing various television and radio content. I have also lived and studied in France and consider Europe to be my soul mate. I would die happy with a glass of vino in hand, anywhere in France, Italy or Spain.</div>
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One check-in experience that i'll never forget was when the assistant was looking at my toddler's passport and flicking, flicking, flicking through the pages, looking for one without a stamp. He glanced at me as if to say "you're kidding right?". But it's true. My baby has been everywhere. At the age of two she has her own Frequent Flyer membership and is fast accumulating points.<br />
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Her first trip in a plane was at the age of three weeks. Steven and I took her for a family holiday to Heron island in the Great Barrier Reef. It involved a plane trip, followed by a helicopter ride (where the compulsory children's life jacket and headphones actually swamped her). </div>
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At just two years of age she has been to the following countries (some more than once):</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isabella's first helicopter ride aged three weeks</td></tr>
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Fiji, Vanuatu (x 3) , Chile, France, Uruguay, United Kingdom, USA (x 2), Hawaii, Canada, Mexico (x 2) and Italy. </div>
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On top of that, she travels domestically around Australia on a regular basis. The staff at the Qantas lounge know her by sight. </div>
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If this sounds like I am bragging, please don't misread me. In fact, the point I am trying to make is that I am a lunatic. Yes, I have voluntarily put myself and my darling husband through the stress of transporting our most valuable cargo (our children) around the globe on a ridiculously regular basis. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawaii with Issy and Steven... paradise for every reason.</td></tr>
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But like I say, there comes a point when you realise that our careers are incredibly important for providing for our family and we are fortunate enough to have that option to travel together. And let's face it, is traveling the globe not the most amazing thing you could ever have the good fortune of doing, with the ones you love the dearest?! And it won't be forever. The girls will be in school soon enough, or our jobs won't last forever... we seize the opportunity while it is there. And I am the first to admit that despite the drama, the missed flights, the vomit projected at my head, the screaming children refusing carseats, the lost passports, the missing 'blankies', the financial strain, the explosive diarrhoea, the crazy taxi rides, the rude air hostesses, the lack of sleep... I wouldn't change a single thing. I am the luckiest person I know. I am deeply grateful for this life we have. I wake every day (often in strange hotel rooms) and smile that we are together. I hope that my experiences can help you feel the same way. Thank you for reading my blog and for joining my personal journey. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-14477084942044024322013-12-02T20:37:00.000-08:002013-12-02T20:37:29.810-08:00UP IN THE AIRIt appears that, by some miracle, you've made it onto the plane! Now, for the arduous long journey. First of all, I have to say congratulations, because half the work is now done. Assuming your bags are all as prepared as I am hoping they are, then you should survive the flight itself in one piece. Should.<br />
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TAKE OFF<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strap that baby in!</td></tr>
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For a start, it still amazes me that most US airlines stare blankly at me when I ask if they provide infant seat belts. For those not familiar with Australian airlines, you are likely to be shot and the plane will not leave the ground, until your little one is appropriately strapped in on your lap with the attachable belt. (a woman was actually kicked off an Australian plane recently because her child refused to wear the belt).<br />
Im told the reason US airlines don't even let you put your belt around the two of you is because you are more likely to crush your child that way.<br />
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'HEAR' ME NOW<br />
I digress. For those who have never heard this incredibly important piece of information, hear it now. Many babies struggle with equalising as the plane ascends and descends. The pressure builds up in their ears and causes intense pain. They cannot just blow their nose and release the pressure the same as we can and with their small ear canals, it really can be seriously excruciating. Many of us have been on planes with children in the cabin wailing for the love of god. I stress that most of the time, this is NOT you child being overtaken by a sugar hit, a panic attack or the devil himself. This is a medical situation.<br />
Although there is not one amazing solution to this, it is highly recommended that giving your baby something to suck on during take off and landing is the best possible chance you have of avoiding the pain. Their bottle of milk, breastfeeding, a dummy, a lollipop... anything that encourages swallowing.<br />
More often than not, as soon as the plane levels out the pain will ease but you may want to consider a small dose of baby panadol if the pain kicks in at the start of the journey and if its a long flight, maybe another dose an hour before landing.<br />
Hopefully more passengers will become aware of this simple bit of info in time and be forgiving of a screaming child on a plane. And with any luck, the airlines will one day provide info for parents and perhaps a sucking device in advance...<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-4309383623579194372013-11-29T19:04:00.001-08:002013-11-29T19:22:05.131-08:00IN FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENTAgain, this is something that needs to be thought of waaaaay before you get on that plane. Regardless of your child's age, (unless we are talking newborns with only one requirement for hours of entertainment - your milk supply) then it is strongly advisable that you smash up (translation: spend up big at) your local Two Dollar / Hot Dollar / Bargain Basement store with strange, unusual, colourful, interactive, disposable, glow in the dark, squishy, funny, imaginative toys and games.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In flight entertainment "toddler" style</td></tr>
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However, there are a certain number of basic rules that do apply to your shopping list:<br />
1. Don't buy anything you intend on keeping for a long time.<br />
2. Perhaps avoid the super loud musical toys, for the sake of not making enemies on the plane.<br />
3. It must be something your child has NEVER seen before. And do NOT let them see these toys until you are ON that plane, desperate for a source of distraction.<br />
4. The smaller the better to fit inside that carry on bag. (yet large enough to not be a choking hazard...)<br />
5. Avoid sticky, sugary objects of any kind (this should be obvious why). No one likes to travel twenty something hours with lollipops stuck in their hair / down their blouse or with children bouncing on and off the walls from sugar rushes.<br />
6. Things that roll can also be nothing but a nuisance for you as the plane is clearly not always on a flat angle - and we all know our little <strike>monsters</strike> darlings love to throw and drop their toys.<br />
7. Balloons are also not a good idea. They burst and can sound like explosions. Just saying.<br />
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In past flights, I've had particular luck with play dough, stickers, pencils, flashing squishy toys that you can mould, fluffy pipe cleaners, small books, quirky looking dolls, small race cars, etc.<br />
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A PERSONAL WIN<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glow in the dark masks kept us entertained for hours!</td></tr>
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On one of our most recently family trips to LA, Steven's work flew him Business class, while my seat was booked in economy, with both the girls. Obviously, I was feeling anxious about this scenario. Although we had secured a bassinet for Francesca, aged five months at the time, and Isabella had her own seat next to me being over two years, I was worried about this being my first international trip with both the kids, and doing it solo, essentially.<br />
By some gift of god, the man seated next to me on this flight was amazing with kids, completely understanding, chivalrous and had a similar appreciation for gin and tonics as me. With the kids needing distraction as the lights were dimmed for the sleep section of the journey, my neighbour / new friend Aaron and I busted out the glow in the dark masks that i'd snapped up the week before, we sent Steven an inflight seat-to-seat message to come and join us and before I knew it, we had our own small disco happening in row 24!! (silent disco of course, so we didn't wake the other passengers). The kids thought it was hilarious and it seriously killed about two hours of the journey time for me. I'd like shares in the company.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-36334333867095507702013-11-24T19:33:00.000-08:002013-11-26T02:31:12.645-08:00TO PRAM OR NOT TO PRAM...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can't emphasise enough how vital it is to be organised with your packing. This is key to surviving the journey. The weeks leading up to your trip are your chance to research the logistics of the destination for things like car seat laws, your hotel's ability to provide certain equipment, the public transport situation for little ones, vaccination requirements, the hazardous elements (mozzies, snow etc), the foods available, etc etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you can be on top of this then you will have more time on the ground to enjoy your trip rather than spend the entire time chasing equipment, medicines, formula and so on. Wouldn't you rather be shopping or lunching?</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strolling the streets of New York</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">STROLLERS</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My first tip is specifically related to your mode of stroller. It's easier and cheaper than you think. Go to KMART or Target or Big W and buy yourself something called an Umbrella Stroller for under $100. It'll change your life. Leave the expensive bugaboo at home. The compact, knock about, reclining, fold-up pram is your new best friend. And surprisingly, they're seriously good! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This little baby is allowed through the airport check in with you as opposed to traditional strollers. The word "umbrella" is what airport staff listen for. It's like a James Bond code word that means "this little baby will fold up smaller than my handbag." However, it's probably best you refrain from winking and touching your nose suspiciously as they may take you for a security threat. Just a suggestion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Most airlines will allow you to take it as far as the boarding gate (so if your little muppet is asleep at the airport, you can let them continue snoozing right up to stepping onto the plane). Some airlines, such as Qantas (International), actually allow you to take the pram onto the plane with you and will store it up from (depending on how full the flight is - and you're at a clear advantage if you're up the pointy end of the plane). This means it is ready for you the second you land and you can breeze through security at the other end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Of course you need to bear in mind this stroller applies to babies not requiring a flat bassinet, usually over the age of about 5 months and with reasonable neck strength. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isabella takes a nap in her Maxi Cosi. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">MAXI COSI</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anything younger, my tip is to get yourself a second hand Maxi Cosi capsule that clicks into a good selection of pram bases (some require adaptors). This capsule can also double as your car capsule if you take (pack in check in luggage) the base also. And, more importantly, it is a portable little piece of genius that can prop up on the seat next to you at cafe tables and dinners so bub can snooze while you eat. Just leave the pram base by the door. It's a brilliant all-rounder. You're far more likely to get a table at a nice eatery if you don't arrive with a tractor. Plus when you're ready to head home, just pop the bassinet straight in as the car seat! <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Baby Bjorn was a godsend<br /> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">BJORN AGAIN</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The other handy little option to have with you for kids aged from 3 months to about 18 months is the baby bjorn (or similar brand). This eliminates all need for a stroller and means you are hands free for the airport, shopping and sight seeing etc with out having to deal with all the logistics of prams. The only downside, your back and shoulders will be killing you if this is your only option and baby may not be a fan of having his/her naps in the upright bjorn position, especially if they're older. Still, I don't leave home without it. It's a good one to just roll up and tuck under the pram and pull it out if baby gets frustrated from being strapped into the pram too long, or you're somewhere like New York, which is NOT a pram friendly city!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com76tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876190085049759402.post-59542833491276496892013-11-18T00:47:00.001-08:002013-12-02T20:42:58.466-08:00WHEN THE POOP HITS THE PROPELLER!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRslDru3dBI/UomMYEukasI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/llIVnyWPUR4/s1600/IMG_7686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRslDru3dBI/UomMYEukasI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/llIVnyWPUR4/s400/IMG_7686.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Narrowly avoiding the poop... and the propeller.<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, you're thinking about attempting a trip with your little one(s)? And you're pooping yourself? Let me say, you have reason to be afraid, very afraid. It is petrifying. It is without doubt one of the most challenging, anxiety inducing, marriage-testing experiences you can undergo. But it is still worth it. And it is manageable. I've lived to tell the tale. And i'd love to help you survive your journey. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />This blog is not about me. It's about the poop that has happened to me, that I am willing to share with you in the hope that it won't, in turn, happen to you also. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />You may notice that I refer to poop freely throughout my blog. It's because I spend all day every day stopping myself from using obscene profanities in front of my children and it has now become habit to use unfulfilling swear words instead, that I secretly imagine to be incredibly offensive!! So poop it is. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I do not claim to be an expert. But my husband Steven <a href="http://sjweather9/">@sjweather9</a> travels for work and is away from home on average 300 days per year. He's the weather man on the Today Show on Channel Nine (the funny guy who was attacked by a pelican, you may know of him) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9e4hBiLx2c">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9e4hBiLx2c</a>. In an effort to keep our marriage strong and for our girls to know their father, and for him to know them as they develop faster than we can keep up, we try our best to travel with him as often as possible, both domestically and internationally. With this in mind, we have been to many locations, flash, tacky, near, far and fabulous. I don't have a moment of regret about any of the trips we have done - but dear god if someone had handed me a list of tips to make it easier back when I was starting then it would have made one hell of a difference. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Admittedly, neither of our kids are school age yet, so it is possible to lug them around with us at the drop of a hat. At first I did question if this was in the girls' best interests or if it was a disruption to their sense of routine that I do believe is important for them at their most formative stage. And then I realised that the most important thing of all is to be together as a family, no matter where, and that some of that boring routine can be taken along with you for the journey. Besides, nothing is harder than being the one left behind, to clean up the poop at home, solo, while your man is off sunning himself on a tropical island somewhere. Am I right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, let's get started, let's pack those bags and let's get you on that plane in one piece, as prepared as you can be. Oh, and one of those teensy things i've learned along the way - babies and young kids really actually do poop way more than usual at high altitudes. Don't ask me the science 'behind' it... just trust me and pack twice the amount of nappies in that carry on nappy bag as you would normally do, along with a change of clothes or two. And maybe some gloves... (ok, that part wasn't serious). And they provide the vodka on board. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333165551011476813noreply@blogger.com4