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Witness the exponential growth in the travel industry’s packaging of baby moon vacations. Babymoons, or luxury pre-birth vacations for parents-to-be, have really caught on in the United States. The idea is to relax in a romantic setting, preferably with a luxury day spa nearby to tend to all the mother-to-be’s prenatal massage needs. Travel during the first- and second-trimester of pregnancy, after all, is no problem (check with your ob-gyn if you want to be extra sure).--Traveling Mamas
Planning is key, of course, for any trip - and certainly it's double key for those traveling with little ones. But there's no reason to stay home just because your travel companion is teeny tiny.
No, we're not kidding. We understand babies need nonstop attention, diaper changes, constant feeding and protection from germs. But they need that whether you're on the road or at home. --Go Girlfriend, Trekking With Your Baby
"She had three naps on the plane and just slept and laughed and slept," said McLachlan in an interview with CP. "You know, you bring an infant into business class and everybody, you can just see them all going, 'Ugh,' and I said, 'She's really good, it'll be OK!"'--Go Girlfriend, Sarah McLachlan- Has Baby, Still Travels
The Go Girlfriend post includes advice and tips for those taking the toddlers. For perspective on all that obsessive preparation, Fawzia Rasheed de Francisco writes about the "What, you're traveling with your kids?!?! Are you crazy?!?!?" attitude on Perceptive Travel.
For despite the cheerful, "Have baby/toddler/children, will travel" banter, you're likely to wind up with the impression that parents are, or ought to be, terrified of traveling. It's not just the endless "Do's and Don'ts" and checklists, but within the preparation advice, are subliminal messages that the world is unfriendly––dangerous even––unprepared for the onslaught of children. Which is clearly, mostly at least, untrue. After all, children live in most places, right?
--
The way entertainment is handled is puzzling for different reasons. When you see how much people are recommended to take, it's easy to conclude that the Huck Finns of this world no longer exist; children have forgotten to do what they're supposed to do best––play. Or that parents no longer like children enough to spend time with them. For instance, it's common to be persuaded to buy a stash of toys, and to dole them out every half hour or so on flights, each enclosed in different wrapping paper to add to the novelty value.--Travel With Children - Go Figure
Blissfully childless, I've never faced the complications of traveling with kids, whether they be carry on or they carry themselves on. Like Beth, I'm an observer and empathizer (and sometimes impatient sufferer of OPK - Other People's Kids). (quote trimmed a little by me)
Though I don’t have kids myself, I know it’s not easy to travel with children. As a matter of fact, I’m in the process of editing a book written by two traveling moms. I’m regularly reading about potential issues and how to overcome them when you’ve got your kids in tow. So, I had a lot of empathy for the solo mom.--Wanderlust and Lipstick
Though I know that sometimes,the only thing to stop those well placed blows to the kidneys is to turn around, address both the owner of the kicking feet and the parent of said feet -- "Hey, I know there's not much space here, but wouldja mind?"
As for traveling with your kids, well, I can't say how or where, but I can say that people make all kinds of excuses not to travel - not enough vacation, too busy at work, can't afford it - but it's a shame to say that you can't travel because of the kids. And, it appears, not true.
And if you've traveled to the exotic with your kids and blogged about it,drop your links in the comments, please.
Pam blogs about travel and other adventures at Nerd's Eye View.
