“There’s Nothing to do in Pekanbaru” (Yes there is!)
Pekanbaru wasn’t what I expected. Small, humid, and full of surprises, it became one of the most formative chapters of our expat life teaching me to adapt, laugh, and embrace the jungle. Life in a Growing City Even though Pekanbaru felt “off the map” at first, the city was expanding right before our eyes: Case in…
Jakarta vs. Pekanbaru: Two Completely Different Versions of Our Indonesian Expat Life
When we moved to Indonesia, people imagined one long, glamorous, Eat Pray Love experience. Palm trees.Infinity pools.Spiritual awakenings. Reality? We started in Jakarta. And Jakarta said: “Welcome. Please enjoy traffic, humidity, and a mild identity crisis.” Jakarta: Baptism by Megacity We only lived in Jakarta for four months. But those four months? Felt like four years of…
Finding a Nanny & Building a Support System While Living in Indonesia
Moving abroad with kids sounds adventurous. Exciting.Exotic.Character-building. And it is… Until you realize: You’ve left your entire support system behind. No family.No friends.No built-in babysitter.No emergency backup. Just you… in a new country… with tiny humans depending on you for literally everything. No pressure. The “Wait… We Have No Village” Moment When you travel, you’re…
Culture Shock Is Real: Things That Surprised Me Living Abroad With Kids
Before moving abroad, I genuinely believed I was prepared. I’d traveled internationally.Navigated foreign airports.Managed jet lag.Handled logistics with a baby. So naturally, I assumed: “Living abroad will feel like extended travel.” What I didn’t realize is that culture shock doesn’t arrive in one dramatic moment. It seeps in quietly…usually somewhere between your third confusing grocery…
Traveling vs Living Abroad With Kids: Not Even the Same Sport
Let me just say this upfront. Traveling with kids and living abroad with kids are not the same thing. Not even close.Not even cousins.More like distant relatives who awkwardly nod at each other at family reunions. Because travel?Travel is sparkly. Temporary. Novel. Full of adrenaline and “look at us being adventurous!” energy. Living abroad? That’s travel’s sleep-deprived, paperwork-drowning, grocery-confused…
What I Love About Traveling With My Family -Valentines Edition!
Valentine’s Day is usually about romantic dinners, chocolates, and unrealistic expectations. Which, honestly, feels oddly similar to traveling with kids. Because both involve: High hopesQuestionable logisticsEmotional momentsAnd someone crying at some point But in the spirit of love, real love, messy love, family love; here’s what I genuinely adore about traveling with my crew. Even…
Surviving Long-Haul Flights With a Baby (Without Losing Your Mind)
Let’s just start here: A long-haul flight with a baby sounds like something designed by people who hate sleep, comfort, and basic emotional stability. And yet… it’s absolutely doable. Not always glamorous.Not always peaceful.But very, very survivable. Having flown internationally with my 7-month-old, I can confidently say: It’s often less catastrophic than your imagination suggests. First,…
Traveling to Indonesia With a Baby: A Surreal First Journey
If you had told me a year earlier that I’d be flying to Indonesia alone with my 7-month-old, I probably would’ve laughed… then nervously changed the subject. And yet there I was, boarding pass in hand, baby in Bjorn, functioning like a completely reasonable adult human. No meltdown.No panic.No dramatic airport breakdown. Just a quiet,…
Things I Never Thought I’d Say Until I Became a Mom (Especially While Traveling)
Before kids, I was a calm, mildly organized traveler. Passport? Check. Cute carry-on? Check. Airport beer? Absolutely check. Then I had children. Now I travel like a Sherpa with anxiety and an emergency snack inventory. Motherhood didn’t just change my life it completely rewired my vocabulary, particularly in airports, on airplanes, and in hotel rooms…
How to Survive the Airport With a Baby (Without Crying in the TSA Line)
Let’s Be Honest About Airports and Babies Airports are already stressful. Add a baby, and suddenly everything feels louder, longer, and more complicated than it needs to be. But here’s the good news: airports are actually easier than the plane itself if you know what to expect. I’ve done the international airport thing solo with a…
Flying International With a Baby: Everything I Learned the Hard Way
Why I’m Writing This (aka: I Survived and You Will Too) Flying international with a baby sounds like something only the brave, the delusional, or the severely sleep‑deprived would attempt. I was all three. When I took my first international flight solo with my 7‑month‑old, I had no idea what to expect. I imagined crying (hers……
The Ultimate International Baby Packing List (What You Actually Need and What You Don’t)
If you’re preparing for international travel with a baby, you’re probably doing what I did… Googling.Overpacking.Panicking slightly. Somehow your suitcase is full but you’re still convinced you forgot something important. After flying internationally alone with my seven-month-old (and surviving multiple mid-air blowouts), I’ve learned exactly what’s worth packing and what’s just taking up space. Let’s…
Moving to Indonesia With a baby: The Definition of “Ripping the Bandaid Off”
When we decided to move to Indonesia, life was already in full chaos mode. You know, normal stuff. My husband was on disability leave after a dirt bike crash that left him with three broken (okay, shattered) limbs and I had just given birth to our daughter. We were exhausted, emotional, and figuring out how…
What I Wish I Knew Traveling Internationally With My 7-Month-Old (Alone… Because Why Not)
Let’s start with this: Yes, I traveled internationally alone with a seven-month-old.Yes, my husband was in a wheelchair at the time.Yes, we had just sold our house and moved our entire life overseas. And no, I was not okay. Two weeks before having my daughter, my husband shattered three limbs in a dirt bike crash.…
My First Blog Post!
Hi and welcome to Kilometers with Kids! I’m so glad you’re here! If you’ve ever wondered: You’re in the right place. Our Story Kilometers with Kids was born out of a love for adventure, family, and making memories, even when life feels busy, messy, and unpredictable. Like many parents, I once thought travel with kids had…
Kilometers with Kids 