The “me” of today is different in many ways from the “me” that lived in Dayton, Ohio with an infant. Thinking back to the three years that our family lived in Dayton, I remember feeling stuck.
I wanted to travel so badly. Yet, my husband’s work schedule, and most of all, my fear of venturing into the unfamiliar with my baby girl, made me stay close to home. I hadn’t yet discovered the joys of local-ish travel. I didn’t realize that adventures awaited us just a few hours from home. At that point in my life, the word “travel” had a much different meaning.
My daughter hasn’t celebrated a birthday recently, yet I’ve found myself thinking lately about how much she–and I–have changed during her three and a half years of life.
I used to sit around and analyze everything that could possibly go wrong. The car could break down…in the middle of nowhere. I could get lost. E. could start crying uncontrollably in public and strangers might stare at me. It seems laughable now to think that these were some of my worries when it came to day trips from Dayton.
And then one day, when E. was about 18 months old, the power went out. For NINE DAYS. Yes, you read that correctly. There were so many power outages that the power company just couldn’t keep up, and ours was one of the last homes to receive electricity again. I couldn’t handle sitting in a dark house, so I decided E. and I would venture a couple hundred miles to my hometown in Missouri.
I drove–alone–with E. for about 7 hours. Nothing catastrophic happened. That was when my thinking about travelling with a kid began to change. These days, I confidently set out on adventures with my daughter. Sure, it helps that she’s older now, but it also had a lot to do with a change in my own thinking. I began to remember the pre-mommyhood days when Nick and I ventured to Tokyo without knowing what to expect.
I’m sure there are moms reading this who have no idea what I’m talking about. They’ve always been self-assured and known how to handle unusual situations with grace. However, things can be difficult for us worriers. Nothing is simple.
P.S. I get extra points for posting a picture in which I’m not wearing any make-up, right?
We’re trying for our first and the scariest thing for me is the thought of not being able to travel like we’re used to. I liked this post because it reminded me that we can still venture out, it will just include one more.
The saw the majority of the eastern united states before the age of three. We lived in Alabama and my parents would just hop in the car and go exploring.
I love finding inspiration for traveling with kids. I don’t have any of my own yet, but I’m always trying to gauge how it would work exactly. Good for you for challenging your fears! When I travel to some really exotic destinations, I see parents with little kids and they seem to be doing just fine. It’s a matter of adjusting your expectations, I suppose
Really, the biggest difference is the preparation. Whether it’s researching the destination or packing supplies for my daughter, that’s the main thing that’s changed. You have to find your comfort zone…and then step *just* a little outside of it.
I did not recall that you once lived in Dayton. That is near Cincinnati.
Hi Neil, I can’t believe we haven’t discussed this! We went down to Cincinnati several times for baseball games, art museums, and the zoo. In fact, we saw the Cubs clinch the Central Division in Cincinnati in…let’s see…2007, I think. I always liked that ballpark with it’s nice view over the river into Kentucky. -SV
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I think most new moms have at least some trepidation about traveling with little ones. In fact, that’s how I started writing my upcoming book about how to travel with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers (“The Travel Mamas’ Guide”). I was nervous to set out into the world with my new baby and wanted advice from moms who had traveled before me. Since I couldn’t find such a book, I decided to write my own! After you get some trips with a wee one in tow, things that once seemed daunting become much more manageable. It’s a learning process though…I’m still figuring out the best way to enjoy traveling with my kids!
And, yes, you DO get extra credit for posting a photo sans make-up. Even though you look lovely, dahling!
Yes, it’s such a great feeling when you pass that “I worry about everything” milestone as a parent. I remember when my first son was born how terrified I was of even walking to the car with him in the infant car seat. He was born in December and the pavement was icy and I was so worried about falling or dropping him. The first time I finally went out on my own with my son was for breakfast at a local I-Hop pancake place. I went with a friend and on the drive there, he suddenly stopped and said, “Hey, your son is back there in the back seat. How cool is that?!” I was so proud of even that little triumph.