“Be a little selfish and do something for yourself every day, something different once a month and something spectacular every year”

How has travelLING changed for you since having children?

Having a baby hasn’t slowed us down, we have still travelled quite a bit in the last two years, both domestically and international – Fiji (7mths), Hawaii (1yr) and the Maldives (1 & a half).

I would say we are now more conscious of where we choose to stay, more conscious of what the food options are like and what service and facilities are offered for the three of us.

What advice would you give to other parents thinking about their first trip with a baby/children?

Consider selecting a room, which has a separate bedroom if possible. It will mean you’re not heading to bed when your baby does.

If it’s a long haul flight with a stopover, even for a few hours, consider getting a hotel room in the airport if possible (Singapore is fantastic for this). We booked our room for 4 hours. It allowed us to put our bags down, shower, head out for dinner and to relax for a moment, not having to focus on Ahlia wondering off or staying in her seat.

what’s been the hardest part about travelling with a baby/children?

Finding healthy food options and snacks.

what’s the best part about travelling with your kids?

We’re so thrilled to be about to experience some amazing corners of the world with our little one. We no longer look at travelling as ‘where are we going to go in the world’ but ‘imagine the amazing places we will be able to show her’.

How have you best dealt with time zone changes and KIDS routine on holidays?

We have found it best to keep Ahlia on her normal routine (Australian time) while on the plane. Aiming for sleep at her usual times but as soon as we arrive at our destination, we change to local time. Even if it means putting her to bed before she is ready. The first night has always been the roughest, but from then on she has always adjusted well.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAMILY Travel essentials?

• Baby monitor
• Nightlight – more for us then Ahlia
• Pram – Baby Jogger City Mini GT with travel bag
• Ergo – a must for when you are in transit and have all your hands full
• Antibacterial wipes for the plane – especially for when we were at that stage when everything went straight into the mouth. It might seem a little over the top, but a sick baby is the last thing you want to have on holidays.
• Snacks
• Baby pain medicine
• Hydralytes

Kids essentials for the plane?

• Travel-friendly activities – books, pencils & colouring books.
• Ipad with headphones – you will need to download apps or shows that don’t require wifi
• A lunch box of food.

What influences your travel decision?

The length of flight? Cost? Services & Facilities?

As our holidays end up revolving around surfing, we tend to hunt out accommodation options that are on or are close to surf breaks. The closer we are to the break the less time Scotty is away (in reality less travel time = more time getting barrelled) which in the end means more downtime for me.

Medical facilities, especially if we are heading to a remote island.

Any tips on how to travel light with children?

Hahaha, I’m still trying to work this out.

It’s amazing how many nappies you need to pack for a couple of weeks away. If you are travelling somewhere nappies will be easy to access this could be a start.

–   The Maldives is not a place to skimp on nappies; you are likely not to come across any.

What ‘Mum’ bag do you travel with?

State of Escape – Escape & Freestyle

List of loves….

• My State of Escape bags
• Bassike for basics
• Black Chicken Natural Deodorant
• Australia and in particular where we live… we have travelled around the world and stayed on some amazing beaches with amazing waves, but when we arrive home, we realise just how lucky we are to have both on our doorstep.

Quick questions

Next trip…

Tavarua, Fiji

Currently reading….

The Girls by Emma Cline

Words of wisdom….

“Be a little selfish and do something for yourself every day, something different once a month and something spectacular every year” source unknown

Favourite destination in the world….

Japan for the culture, food and snow

Surf or Snow…..

Surf…..but wish I could say both.

Resort, hotel, villas or house….

Depends on where we are in the world and if we feel like cooking, but I’d say small Boutique Resort

In my downtime I…….

Can be found on the beach or escaping in a good book or movie. I otherwise have my head stuck in my computer researching SOMETHING or SOMEWHERE….

ONCE IN A LIFETIME TRIP…….

……