Flashback: Less is More

Between trains on our trip from Altstadt to Vienna, we had a short window, and we had to run across three trains tracks. Jonathan was carrying the stroller and two bags, and I was carry the heavy backpack and Xander.  I tripped and fell on the mad dash ... managing to keep Xander off the ground. For a moment I thought I was physically unable to get up with a the three-year old and the heavy bag. I was like a turtle on my back. Somehow I managed to turn sideways and pull myself up ... but gosh, why does luggage have to weigh so much!

When it comes to packing, less is more. For most travel I start packing weeks in advance. I create a war room, and stockpile everything that I think I'm going to need. Then a week in advance I start the editing process. I put everything into the designated luggage, and what doesn't fit, doesn't go.

During our 2008 trip we had to pack for Xander, as well as little Caleb. We had to take into consideration weight requirements on all of the airplanes, and had to factor in the stroller. With a stroller two adults can comfortably manage two back packs, and one to two pieces of luggage on wheels.

We also had to pack for two climates. Russia has very warm July's, Austria not so much.  I bought a mesh bag for Caleb's clothing. On the bright side we were able to store his clothing in Stavropol. We also stayed in the same hotel in Vienna on arrival and departure. We we were able to leave our warm weather Russia clothing at that hotel, while we touristed around Austria.

Still between diapers, wipes, clothing for three people, a stroller, entertainment, and a three year old who wanted to be carried ... it could get to be too much.

So, the rule of thumb when packing... less is more, if you can help it.

Flashback: Leash Law

Until Xander was 38 months he was a runner. Anytime we went out in public he refused to hold your hand, and would run away at the first chance ... laughing with glee.

Of course planning a 23 day trip in Europe and Russia scared me to death. I just pictured him getting lost at the airport, a train station, or worse running into traffic and getting smashed like a pancake.

So what did I do? What every self respecting modern mother would do... I posted my question to mothers groups. I got advice like, "you need to be firm," "don't go out in public until he'll hold your hand," "was your son breastfed?"

The adoption boards weren't much more help. "It could be a sensory integration disorder, have you had him evaluated for Early Intervention?" "I would never take a three year old on a 23 day trip in Europe and Russia, don't you have family that can babysit?"

Finally, I found a conversation about using a leash. What to do? I'm opposed to putting a leash on a child ... aren't I?

So I started researching leashes. Target sells the Eddie Bauer Harness Buddy. See in the land of child leashes they aren't called leashes, they are called harnesses. It is a cute stuffed animal backpack with a tail. The tail is the leash. So I went out and bought one. The little monkey.  We tried it at home, and Xander  really liked it.

Our mistake, we didn't try it out in public. In fact, the first time we tried it out was at the airport, and it was a disaster.  Our little Xander was an indiscriminate runner. At dinner Xander made a bee line for the people mover, Jonathan instinctively grabbed the leash, and Xander's flew backwards onto his back, cracking his head on the floor. The whole world turned and stared.

At that moment I should have thrown the little buddy out, but I didn't. We carried it for 23 days, and never used it. Instead, we strapped Xander into his stroller. The stroller is a miraculous device, it is fool proof in stopping the runner. We did go to lot's of parks to run our wee one, but we never used the leash again.

So, is the leash a bad idea. If you have an enthusiastic runner it is. Especially if they exert any force in their run. If you have a gentle wanderer who just needs to be guided back then it probably is okay. Folks swear by their leash ... but the only cure that I found to the runner is time.

Shortly after we returned home our 38 month old held our hands when we walked in public and stopped running away.

Flashback: Trip to Get Caleb

The idea for my kids travel blog came about about 18 months ago when Jonathan and I spent 23 days on the road with Xander shortly after his third birthday. Both our boys were adopted from Russia, and the 2008 trip was to bring home our youngest Caleb.

Over the next six months I'm going to write a series called Blog from the Past about that adventure. I will also continue to write about our current adventures as well. This years trips include Fort Lauderdale Fla., Cheboygan, MI and Washington, D.C. and New York City for Thanksgiving.

Jonathan and I vacillated a lot about our decision to take Xander on our 2008 trip. We were very concerned about the prospect of traveling for that long with a three year old. Especially in a country like Russia, where the typical couple goes out to eat twice a year, and kids are a rarity at restaurants. We read several books on the subject, some better than others.

I had extensive travel lists, I packed and edited, and packed and edited again. We needed to plan for three distinct trips,  with three micro-climates, and dress to fit in two very distinct cultures.

As part of the trip we spent 10 days vacationing in Austria, it was less expensive then flying all the way home to California. We also spent five days in Moscow, and of course we were in Stavropol Krai, the region where both my boys were born.

The trip was a success, and it reinforced our love of travel. Many of our friends and family thought we were crazy to travel with a three-year old abroad for that long. What we learned is that we don't have to limit our trips to the continental United States, or "family friendly" tourist spots. We can continue to explore and travel the world, and with a little planning bring our sweet little boys a long for the ride.

Xander remembers the trip fondly, and was a dream to travel with. The trip brought us closer as a family, and helped make the transition from only child to big brother easier. Xander was part of the process, we didn't disappear for a month, and then surprise him with a sibling. The transition was also easier for Caleb, having a three-year old made the funny talking strangers less scary.

We continue to explore because it is fun. Jonathan and I love to travel.  I grew up as a military brat, and my best memories are of my family trips. I want my boys to have the same.

Happy 2010, I look forward to sharing our adventures.