Our daughters are 3 and 5 years old now. Since they were only some weeks old we travelled together through Europe, to Mauritius, South Africa, Thailand or New Zealand. It was an enjoyable time and we learned a lot about different cultures, our own limitations and the new horizon travelling creates. Some families homeschool their kids, others nonschool them. We took these options into consideration, but decided to spend the following years in one city in Europe. For sure, we’ll travel as often as possible, but only during school holidays. I read a study about the feeling of “home”. It made clear that it’s impossible to create that feeling above the age of 7. It’s important for me, that my child has long lasting friendships and not only with children she got to know for some weeks. I want her to be able to have that cosy feeling that provides a safe and constant surrounding. The clock is ticking. In only 10 months she’ll start school. For travel addicts this means: let’s travel as long as possible and combine many beautiful destinations. Let me tell you about our family round the world trip starting in only 3 weeks.
Archive | Travel tips
RSS feed for this section7 ways to raise children’s self esteem while travelling
There was a time I shook my head when I’ve seen other parents yell at their cute 3 year old daughter only because she didn’t want to pick up her shoes. Why are they so impatient and put themselves above their child? Like this they will never raise children’s self esteem. Why do they react with a louder voice instead of some jokes, clever strategies and self-composure?
After 5 years of constant travel my kids turned 5 and 3 years. There are only few situations, when I started being such a mother. One I would have shook my head at if I’d seen her. But most of the times I’m f***ing proud of having two children with a huge basket full of self esteem. Being a psychotherapist, a mother and a travel addict I get often asked for advice. Here’s a collection of ways if you want to raise children’s self esteem. Continue Reading →
Useful romanian phrases one needs to know when travelling to Romania
Travelling into a foreign country allows us to gain a new perspective on habits, ways of living and their culture. Whether culture is food, education, architecture or simply how they make a living. Whereas only Mummies are seen in cafes in the mornings in Germany Business Men, Students, Parents and friends enjoy coffee or tea in Romania already at 9am. Being an observator is interesting but speaking at least some words of the same language builds the connection.
Signs that our kids travel a lot
Today morning after having breakfast we got ready for kindergarten. Amy (4 years old) asks me: “How do we get there?” I: “By taxi.” Amy: “No, not again Taxi. That’s soo boring!”
This example showed me that we really travel a lot. Even now we are not at “home” but in Romania. We stayed here for 2 weeks to explore Timisoara, a cultural rich city. The kids went into kindergarten during the mornings while we worked on our laptops.
I collected some signs, that our kids travel a lot. Some of them are amusing, others make me think:
Cultural travel with children – 4 ways to successful journeys
Cultural travel with children is something most parents try to avoid. Word has it, that children don’t like museums, neither visit churches or get in touch with architecture. Let me show you some of the most successful strategies for epic and relaxing cultural travels. No crying, moody children anymore complaining about this stupid church and that ugly castle.
Liebster Award winners: Ants in our pants! – part 2
I am one of the Liebster Award winners in 2014!
In part 1 I answered already 4 question Weirs World included in their interview with me. Now read the rest about my embarrassing experiences and travel plans.
5. Which is your preference: Guide books, lonely planet, the internet or asking locals and other travellers?
Embarrassing stories – one took part in Madagascar
Describe on of your most embarrassing stories happening while on travel:
That’s a tough one. Besides children who poo in front of the supermarket in Mauritius, me crashing a Hummer H3 and my husband asking locals all the no go questions? 😉 What was our most embarrassing story? One of these embarrassing stories happened some years ago.
In 2008 we made holiday in Madagascar without children. They simply weren’t born yet. Because we both love driving Enduro (offroad motorbike) we hired them at Antananarivo. The capital of Madagascar is 1435m high and surrounded by lush, green nature. Together with a private guide we started exploring a totally different Madagascar, not many people have seen on their Motorbikes before. Continue Reading →
Our hiking holiday in Austria with toddlers and infants
There are several sayings about people, who love the seaside and others who love mountains. It’s a bit like being a dog or a cats person. One can’t have both.
My family has the tradition of spending one hiking weekend per year in the foothills of the Alps in Austria. Already till 20 years. However, we’re all more the seaside lovers. So this hiking holiday in Austria is the alibi weekend to pretend being both. Not to freeze and shiver we try to get the cabin between May and July.
Liebster Award winner: Ants in our Pants – part 1
By surprise I won the Liebster Award! Two bloggers awarded me: Weirs World and Scamparis.
Since 3 months I am writing about our travel experience and already now I have been recognized by the blogging world. That makes me flush!
The Liebster Award is an Award given from one blogger to another. Like this new bloggers are welcomed into the blogging world. Isn’t that a nice, social way instead of scratching each others eyes out? It’s up to me now to answer the interview below and award some other, new bloggers. Stay tuned for the next post! Continue Reading →
New Zealand travel tips- 5 things we totally screwed up
“I’d rather be home!”, “What the hell are we doing here?”, “Just breathe, only 2 more weeks to go!”
Until our 4 week holiday in New Zealand in 2011 we never had such a horrible vacation. I wished it would be over soon. Let me give you some travel tips, so you don’t need to make the same mistakes.
We planned our trip to New Zealand with our 1,5 year old daughter and a friend. So 4 persons on total, plus the baby in my belly (6st month). As we love camping we decided to rent a huge motorhome to travel around. The lady of the rental company asked me why we’d like to return the camper in Auckland instead of Christchurch. “Because our flight back departs in Auckland.” This was the first mistake! It happened that we were so tuckered out in Christchurch that I flew back to Auckland alone with my young child and the guys drove back the 1100km. We lost at least 2 days (out of 30 it’s 7%). My first travel tip: Continue Reading →