5 REASONS TO TRAVEL WHILST ON MATERNITY July 3, 2020July 27, 2020 Whether you take 3 months or a year off work for your maternity leave, you should absolutely take some time with your new family and go abroad. Not only is it cheaper because you can avoid half term holidays, but you can actually relax! Sound like a contradiction? For me, there are way more positives than negative. And if you need a reason, then I’m here to help, by giving you five of them! We took our first flight to Singapore, before George had turned 12 weeks old. And spent the rest of the year achieving many of our travel goals. Table of Contents ToggleIT IS CHEAPYOU CAN RELAXYOU BOND WITH YOUR BABY AND PARTNERYOUR BABY WILL EXPERIENCE THEIR ‘FIRSTS’ IN A DIFFERENT COUNTRYIT FEELS GOOD! IT IS CHEAP 5 month old George outside the White House When browsing on sky scanner at flights you will be amazed at how cheap they are when you are not searching within school holidays or weekends. Flying mid week and at unpopular times can halve the cost of your trip. With a newborn baby if you can fly with a company that provides a bassinet, you do not need to pay for a third seat for your child. Instead you pay between 10-20% of your combined cost for your baby’s ticket. YOU CAN RELAX 13 week old George in Hoi An, Vietnam When you’re at home you are responsible for your baby AND your home. In the first few days of having George I was totally overwhelmed and cried. A lot. “I need to do laundry; wash up; vac up; feed George; food shop – How am I going to manage?” On holiday you don’t wash up, cook, do laundry or clean! So despite what you may think, you do actually get time to relax and recover. At the very least, some of the normal day to day stress is taken off your shoulders. So sit back, relax and let your body recover. YOU BOND WITH YOUR BABY AND PARTNER 12 week old George with Mummy and Daddy in Singapore Whether you are travelling with your partner, friend, grandparent or by yourself. Travelling removes all normal day to day distractions and gives you quality time to sit and stare at the wonderful human being that now commands your attention. And because you are not running around like a headless chicken, trying to prevent your house from looking like a pig sty, you are happier and calmer. There is nothing for you to do other than talk, laugh and be happy with your partner. You really connect on a new level. You can totally take a few hours to simply hold, kiss and snuggle your baby. Guilt free. They grow so fast and you have to relish these precious moments! YOUR BABY WILL EXPERIENCE THEIR ‘FIRSTS’ IN A DIFFERENT COUNTRY 13 week old George having his first dip in the ocean in Hoi An, Vietnam On our first adventure to South East Asia we achieved so many ‘firsts’ for George and created some incredible memories that will stay with us forever. His first time in a swimming pool was in Singapore. His first dip in the ocean was in Vietnam. His first flight. His first bath in a hotel sink! Milestones abroad are just as special and if you are travelling with your partner they can be right by your side to share the unforgettable moment. IT FEELS GOOD! 6 month old George with Mummy and Daddy in Switzerland Remember your birthing friend ‘oxytocin’? Sunshine, exercise and travelling will bring back your favourite hormone, for a fabulous dose of happiness. Overcome a fear and feel a rush of pride. Enjoy the attention your gorgeous mini me gets from other people. Watch a beautiful sunset whilst sitting next to the love of your life. Enjoy your first alcoholic drink in over 10 months with your feet immersed in a swimming pool. Meet new people and make friends. Create memories and bask in the bubble that is ‘having a baby.’ Go to bed early and make the most of early mornings with a stroll on the beach. If you don’t enjoy travelling but do enjoy a one or two week holiday then do that – do what works best for you. A week in Spain will still give you the same opportunities to relax, bond and recover as a month in SE Asia or a week in a capital City. You won’t know until you try and we want you to try because it is so worth it! READ MORE BLOG POSTS RECOMMENDED BLOG MOTHERHOOD TRAVEL TIPS MotherhoodTravelTravel Tips
BLOG 8 TODDLER FRIENDLY HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS FOR 2021 June 25, 2020July 27, 2020 Summer holidays are the busiest time of the year for tourism. With 2020 and Covid putting the breaks on the majority of families planned get-away, it’s never too early to start thinking and researching for 2021. Read More
BLOG 10 TOP TIPS FOR FLYING WITH A BABY February 16, 2019July 9, 2022 We first flew with George when he was 12 weeks old and we didn’t hold back! We boarded a 12 hour flight to Singapore and then spent the next three weeks touring Vietnam, before ‘enjoying’ a 14.5 hour flight home. In this post I share my top tips for flying with a baby. Read More