VANUATU WITH THE KIDS!!

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.

Local kids at Champagne beach

Air Vanuatu - and the airport at a nearby island

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. 

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.

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!

My evaporating cocktail

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. 

Isabella's first driving lesson

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 New Economics Foundation’s Happy Planet Index.

The happiest people on earth

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.  Your kid’s taste buds will explode here, while your wallet won’t!!

Fresh lobster for lunch anyone?!

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.

When was the last time you finished a book?!

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!

Mount Tanna Volcano... and my explosive hubby

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!

The Blue Holes in Vanuatu

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.

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.

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!

Find time for a romantic meal at The Havannah
(no kids allowed here, sadly!)

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).

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.

The kids chatting amongst themselves in Bislama

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.

   

 THE KID FRIENDLY SPECIFICS:

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. 

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: 

1. Mangoes Resort.

2. Irririki Island Resort

3. Paradise Cove Resort

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:

1. Villa 25, Dream Cove

2. The Boathouse, Dream Cove

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. 

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!)

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).

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.

I'm on a horse.

And don't forget the waterfall abseiling!

That's actually me there at the top!

Canoe into a blue hole

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. 

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! 

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. 

Isabella helps with the dishes

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! 

The happiest kids on earth.

    

Happy Holidays in Vanuatu!

GONE WALKABOUT...

Aussies do holidays with energy!

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!

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.

SOUTH PACIFIC / ASIA

Vanuatu, Fiji, Bali, Thailand, Hong Kong, New Zealand

AUSTRALIAN ISLANDS

Magnetic Island, Heron Island, Double Island

AUSSIE HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS

The Great Barrier Reef, 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

USA

Hawaii, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York, Portland

CANADA

Vancouver, Whistler Ski resorts, Lake Louise, Banff

CENTRAL / SOUTH AMERICA

Mexico, Buenos Aires, Chile, Uruguay

EUROPE

England, France, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Greece (Santorini), Portugal, Czeck Republic (Prague), Belgium (Bruges), Denmark (Copenhagen), Corsica, Canary Islands, Austria (Vienna)

SOUTH AFRICA

Capetown, Johannesburg, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, Sun City, Kruger National Park

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. 

This is not me in a bikini - nor is it Italy

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!! 

Thanks for reading and stay tuned! 

love Rosie

Go Aussie Go!!!

PACK AND DASH - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

MY MOST PRACTICAL ADVICE EVER

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.

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.)
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.



THE SUITCASE:

READY MUM! Almost...

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.
Swim nappies.
Disposable nappy bags.
Disposable nappy change mats.
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!
Sanitising hand gel.
Nappy rash ointment.
Baby panadol / nurofen (whichever is your medicine of choice) and don't forget the syringe.
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
Baby bath gels / kids shampoos / hair brush / moisturisers
Hair bands / clips
Kids toothbrush and toothpaste
Bandaids and antiseptic cream
Kids suncream
Baby nail trimmers / nail file (depending on how long you're going for)
Mosquito repellent (kid's deet-free version)
Kid's hats
Rash vests / bathers / swim floaties
Pyjamas - warm and cool (air con can be so cold in hotel rooms!)
Favourite sleep aid (bunny / blanket)
Bedtime books (the smaller and lighter the better)
Any favourite DVD's for those emergency moments in hotel rooms (and when dealing with jet lag)
Any specific bottles / dummies / formulas etc
Your bottle brush and small container of dish liquid (tightly sealed!)
A separately sealed bag (plastic) containing any travel sized long life milk or food items such as baby squeeze pouches / teething rusks
Baby bibs / spoons / sippy cups / water bottles
Spare small resealable sandwich bags / small tupperware containers for making packed lunches and snacks when you're out
A small container of laundry liquid - great for emergencies even if you only have a sink
(depending on the age of your baby, travel microwavable sterilising bottle bags and your breast pump)
Kid's shoes
Warm clothes for the evenings
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
A lightweight rain jacket
The pram waterproof cover
Muslin cloths for breastfeeding / covering sleeping children in prams & cots / swaddling etc
Any medical certificates you need
Kid's sunglasses
Kid's undies
Any lightweight beach or pool toys that your kids are attached to
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!
Kid's socks
A large spare plastic bag for dirty laundry


FOR YOU:
Disposable breast feeding pads
Panadol / nurofen
Walking shoes
Bathers
Mobile phone charger / car charger
Camera (don't miss those amazing moments!) and charger
Your medicare card that identifies your children's names along side yours (for domestic travel, obviously you will need passports for international)
Toiletries - and don't forget the waterproof mascara for those extra hard days!
Your multivitamins
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!
The rest I am sure you can think of for yourself


CARRY ON BAG
The iPad (fully charged and uploaded with kid's entertainment)
The travel lunch box bag - packed with snacks, drinks, formula / milk
Nappies (as many as you can carry!), wipes, disposable nappy mat, nappy poo bags
Sanitising gel

The carry-on toy bag. Who's a big girl now?!

Passports
Muslin wrap
Spare change of kids clothes
Kid's jumpers (cold air con on planes)
The phernergen
Something for the kids to suck on for takeoff and landing to equalise their ears (e.g., drinks, lollipops, dummies)
Your sunglasses, wallet, phone, foreign currency, travel visas, travel itinerary
A pen
Paw Paw ointment - god's gift for everything
The baby bjorn
A shawl / cardigan for yourself
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.

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.

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.

Bon voyage!

DIRTY LAUNDRY AND YOUR HEADSPACE

A 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?

Is this what your 'baggage' looks like?

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)

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?

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

Look Mum, I found your favourite lipgloss
and rubbed it all over my eyes!

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)

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.

We survived our recent trip to SeaWorld - and so did the dolphin

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...

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?

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.

You sit down Mum, i'll do the groceries today.

AMATEUR HOUR AND ADVICE FOR GRANNIES

This seat's taken...

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 surprise flabbergahst myself at the amateur error I made on this journey.

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!!!

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.

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.

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.

Grandpa duties, under control.

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.

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.

Not bad for 70! Go Granny!

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.

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.

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.

Look Mum...Granny gave me a 'sand-wich'! 

MILES - STONES

Two 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.

Crawl baby, crawl! 

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.

How many points should a two year old have?

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???

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.

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!

Team Jacobs, rain, hail or shine.