7 things my travelling life has gifted to my mothering life
Here are 7 frantically typed, unedited, things that my travelling life has gifted to my mothering life.
1) Sleep
It’s not often possible on an aeroplane or when living with a toddler, but do it when you can.
2) Jetlag
Functioning during jet lag is like functioning with a sleepless toddler (see above).
3) Communication
You can’t speak every language in the world but it is polite to learn a few phrases when travelling somewhere new. Likewise, toddlers do not speak my language, but I have learnt how my son says milk, “moo”, and please, “peesh”, and thank you, “krap!”. Well, OK, technically that last one is Thai, but it is toddler Thai all the same. He also tends to get what I’m saying most of the time. We are multilingual like that.
4) Eating and Drinking
Another “Do it when you can just in case you don’t get another opportunity soon”.
5) Muscles
Carrying your gear is like carrying a toddler. You get muscles in places you’ve never had them before.
6) Stuff
Travel teaches you that you really don’t need much stuff to live and when you have a child, the first thing you have to do is clear out all the stuff you don’t want used as a toy (until you can train them up, anyway). Through this process, you start to realise how much of your stuff is not needed anyway. Less is more.
7) Treats
When I lived in the Japanese countryside, it was a treat to have cheese. In New Zealand I took this for granted, but to sit down with a hunk of cheddar and a few crackers in Japan was pure indulgence. Likewise, a really good mango with sticky rice is a treat in New Zealand. Treats for mothers include having a shower longer than 3 minutes alone and indulging in a coffee in a cafe that provides toys.
P.S. I could write about a million of these, but nap times are short and I need a cup of tea.
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I would add patience to this list, some things just cannot be rushed.
No 3 is my favourite
Cafes that provide toys… New Zealand is so good at that. 9 years later, I still fondly remember the cafes in Devonport where I had heaps of leisurely cups of coffee and time to read newspapers. There was one called Stone Oven – the play area kept my little one happy for ages. Wonder if it still exists…
Trust all’s well with your lovely boy?
Yes, it is! That cafe is still there and still has the little play area. You’re right, we really are lucky with the cafes. We seem to go to one almost every weekend and can’t imagine being able to read the weekend papers if these places didn’t exist.
All’s well here and we’ve just bought a big boy bed. Gosh, did that ever happen quickly. University next! Hope you are all well up there and enjoying the summer:)
He he! Plus the poor kid has language teachers for parents, so we are used to deciphering:)
Patience… very true. I never knew I had so much! Just like the patience you guys have when we say, “Yeah, sure we are coming to the island soon”.
Sounds like you’re being well trained, Mum.
Hi Marie, This is a wonderful post. I remain really interested in how travelers incorporate motherhood, and vice versa. I’m looking forward to more posts like this!
Also, I just saw your comment about Mexican food in Santa Monica. Well, I cannot remember any particular restaurants, but good Mexican food abounds in L.A. and not just in nice restaurants, but food trucks, hole-in-the wall places, everywhere! If I think of any particular restaurant, I will let you know.
Thank Jocy! Now I’m sitting here in my freezing Auckland house in winter and wishing for Mexican food.
Yep, everything’s related.