On Mother’s Day this year I wanted to reflect and recognize the special relationship that my wife and daughter have developed as they travel the world.
Four Years In, Still Going Strong
Our first trip with our daughter was to Curacao just eight weeks after our daughter was born. I was a terrible photographer then (though some would argue I am not much better now) so as a result, I am not including any photos from that trip. But since then our daughter has joined us on every trip with one exception, the 2017 Freddies in New York City. Together mother and daughter have been to more than 20 countries together (our count varies between 23-25 depending on what we can recall) to Europe, South America, Asia and throughout North America and the Caribbean and a pair of Disney properties.
Last summer the two of them spent time with my sister-in-law in Southeast Asia slow traveling while I visited every other week during the summer. The two of them are inseparable and I appreciate the time they have had together.
Grandmothers Too
Both of our mothers have been able to join us on trips, be it to Florida, Curacao, Seattle, or Southeast Asia. It’s nice that to have such great traveling companions and give the two of us time for a date every now and again. I never had the good fortune of traveling with my grandparents, Lucy is so lucky to have grandmothers that are able to join us on trips around the world.
Gratitude
I am so thankful for all of the work my wife has put into motherhood. Carly nursed Lucy when we were both nearly catatonic with jet lag, carry her in a sling around her torso as we walked Segrada Familia or the Great Wall of China. She has been so giving to Lucy throughout her life, but when we travel it is tenfold. The challenges are higher, and her dedication to her family shines through. I couldn’t be more grateful to my wife who has ambitiously taken on the extended responsibilities that come with traveling with a child and then writing about it later to help mothers like her.
Up Next
What is up next for mother and daughter? Florida perhaps and a trip to Southeast Asia is all that is on the books for now, but Carly wants to add Africa and Australia with our daughter soon, the only two continents her parents have been to that she has not yet visited. When Lucy turns nine, Carly would love to take her to Antarctica.
Do you have memories traveling with your mother or the mother of your children throughout the world? Share your experiences in the comments.
Simply Beautiful. A wonderful tribute to your amazing wife.
Traveling with kids is hard enough. Long haul international travel with a child her age is even more difficult. There might be an article there on lessons learned for other parents who would follow in your footsteps 🙂
121Pilot – Thank you for your kind comments. She has done a few posts in the past with tips for long-haul international flights with kids, but those are dated at this point and perhaps a refresh is in order.
I’m thinking not so much about the flights but about being a tourist in a far off country with a toddler in tow. Some kids can be very picky about food and then their is the challenge of trying to take in “adult” sites with a kid or kids who have limited attention spans and may find it totally uninteresting.
So small sample size and all, but we took our toddler (21 months) to a plantation home tour in New Orleans, definitely an “adult” attraction. He actually stood by my site without making a peep for nearly an hour. Sometimes they surprise you…
Carly is seriously 10 times the person I’ll ever be for pulling all of that off with a smile on her face every time.
We’re very fortunate to a) have my mother living just a few blocks away, and b) have her willing and able to come along with us when we travel somewhere with our kid. Just road trips and cruises so far, but eventually we’ll get the courage to take a long-haul international flight. It’s been a lifesaver having someone who’s “been there, done that” with 4 kids help us through rookie mistakes. She’ll be even more indispensible I’m sure when we have to take Ashok on a plane for the first time next weekend (not really our choice).