My college roommate
asked me for some advice on traveling with the little one. I find
that I’m not the best person to ask since I have been so forgetful
these past 5 years (My daughter is now 5. I think my brain is
constantly making space for her as she grows bigger, ignoring,
deleting everything else. And this mantra keeps droning on: DO NOT
FORGET HER ha ha ha). But since we survived commuting to and in
Baguio, Boracay, Taal, Tanauan, Singapore and Malaysia, Dumaguete and
Siquijor, and Coron (not to mention those frequent trips home up
north), maybe I do have a few tips to share.
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| Kalesa ride in Vigan |
PACK WAAAAY AHEAD
Yes, we have an
upcoming trip next month and we are already packed. Not that we are
too excited, I just don’t want to forget my undies again. On our
first official trip, we have everything except my undies. My daughter
can do 2 outfit changes in a day but I go commando. So pack your bags
1-2 weeks before the trip, write a list of things you need and check
them.
BRING BABY BOOK,
THERMOMETER AND MEDS
Kids get sick even
on a trip, so bring the baby book (this is the book that lists your
kid’s medical history, your visits to the pedia, medicines taken).
Make sure you have a thermometer and some basic medicine (for fever,
for allergies).
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| My daughter riding the "sikel" (how she pronounced tricycle then) in Dumaguete |
BRING CRACKERS AND
WATER
Getting food while
on the commute is quite tricky (I once bought pugo eggs gone bad on
the bus) so better to bring your own, especially for your children.
Bus stop food are also seldom satisfactory. Best to bring crackers
and water to tide you over until you find a suitable place to eat.
BRING TOYS AND BOOKS
You need to keep you
kids amused during those long waiting hours at the airport. So be
prepared with their favorite toys. One or two would suffice. Don’t
forget to bring along small storybooks. My daughter loves to draw and
write so I always have a pen and notebook ready.
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| Sleeping on a 4-hr flight |
TAKE THE NIGHT TRIP
We have been going
home to Ilocos even before she turned 1 year old and we always take
the night trip. She sleeps through it and seldom needs to go to the
toilet. We used cloth diapers when she was little and I don’t
remember any incident of her pooping on her nappies on a night trip.
But do stash tissue papers, wet ones and alcohol (yes, the rubbing
kind) in your pockets or bag.
Also, buses are
notoriously cold at night. Bring malong, blanket, or shawl (my child
carrier also functions as my shawl) aside from your regular jackets.
I usually bundle up my child in her most comfortable jammies (long
sleeved shirt and jogging pants) and socks. I also have a hooded
jacket ready.
HAVE A PHOTOCOPY OF
TRAVEL DOCS READY
Just in case you
lose your bag, make sure you have a photocopy of everything (IDs,
tickets, passports, itineraries) in a separate bag. I learned this
at 19 when I went on my first ever airplane trip. A friend made a
list of thing I need photocopies of. This habit stuck and I’m glad
because at the airport, they sometimes ask for my daughter’s birth
certificate and I always have a copy ready (the original one I leave
at home).
That’s it! You’re
all set. Put everything in 1 backpack so you can carry it and carry
your kid. The valuables and travel docs are best kept in a little
sling bag so you don’t lose them. If you have more tips to share,
please do.
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| Bus trip that feels like forever! |
