Kilometers with Kids

Category: Indonesia

  • “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:

    • A big movie theater with a kids’ play area
    • Restaurants and shops popping up overnight
    • Buildings that looked rundown outside but were beautifully decorated inside

    Case in point: a day spa my new Japanese friend and I discovered. This wasn’t a quick massage. It was a full-day, all-inclusive experience. The ladies were incredible, and I left feeling like a new person — a hidden luxury in the middle of Sumatra.

    Daily Life: Orange Water & Power Outages

    Life quickly taught me to embrace “local normal”:

    • Water? Orange. Rusty, tub-staining, fingernail-staining orange.
    • Electricity? Daily outages. The town didn’t have enough power.
    • Backup generator? Loud but a lifesaver for the air-con.

    Lesson learned: Indonesia naturally has high iron content in the groundwater; when oxidized it turns orange. We did all we could to remedy but to no avail. On the plus side, its a nutrient!

    Lower your expectations, gain your peace of mind.

    The Soundtrack of Our Neighborhood

    Our home came with a mosque right down the street.

    • The Fajr, call to prayer, woke us up at 4:30 a.m. every morning, along with our babies.
    • Our neighbor, the mu’adhin, sang the call daily, a soundtrack that became part of our routine.

    Living there gave us a front-row seat to Muslim culture, including Ramadan traditions. We didn’t just observe, we respected, learned, and participated where we could.

    The Food Situation: How to Eat Like a Local

    Food in Pekanbaru was an adventure. If you knew where to look, you could get almost anything delivered:

    • Eggs in bulk — 30 at a time, roadside, no refrigeration
    • Chicken Lady — freshly butchered, delivered to your door
    • Pork smuggler — because some things need a secret source
    • Hydroponic lettuce dealer — crisp greens weekly
    • Pineapple — cheap, roadside, bought by the armful

    And if you didn’t feel like coordinating all this? GO-JEK. Groceries, Starbucks, even doctor visits — delivered.

    Yes, Even Doctor Visits

    One time, I had to provide a stool sample.

    And yes… Go-Jek picked it up and delivered it to the doctor. Only in Indo, only in expat life.

    Baby Gear & Expat Packing Realities

    Here’s the truth: if you need something, they most likely have it.

    • Fussing over name brands? Forget it. Your kids will poop in whatever diaper they get. Every country has babies.
    • You’ll quickly learn what you can live without. Some expats panic and bring everything; honestly, it’s not necessary.

    Pack smart, pack light, and embrace the adventure. The locals have you covered.

    Check out my essentials!

    Routine, Movement & Adventure

    With fewer distractions, my husband and I embraced outdoor life:

    • Mountain biking through jungle paths and muddy trails
    • Dirt biking– he found the “Bule Bikers” group and a Kawasaki dealership. He was golden.

    Structure & movement equaled balance, keeping our days energized and grounded. Find something you enjoy doing & make it happen.

    Creative Outlets: Baking & Quilting

    Pekanbaru became my personal therapy lab:

    • Somewhere between Googling “cupcake inspiration” and wondering if I could actually pull this baking thing off, I found Cupcake Jemma on YouTube and it genuinely changed everything. What started as recipe research quickly turned into binge watching nearly every video she’s ever made. Her creativity, transparency, and actual teaching (not just pretty frosting shots) gave me the confidence to start my own baking side hustle.
    • Fast forward to a trip to London, and I somehow found myself walking into Crumbs & Doilies and meeting both Jemma and Dane in person. It was the shops 10th anniversary. It felt completely magical and wildly unexpected, one of those full-circle moments you don’t plan for but never forget.
    • Still slightly star-struck. Still baking. Still grateful I hit “play.”
    • Quilting club — despite being a newbie, I’ve now made two quilts full of memories and beautiful fabrics.

    Hobbies turned a small city into a playground of creativity and joy.

    Community: Building My Village

    What really made Pekanbaru unforgettable: community.

    • Ibu Atik, our nanny, became my anchor, translator, and friend
    • Indonesian neighbors welcomed us into their world — pool parties, playdates, weekend trips
    • Friends introduced me to sushi nights, dinner clubs, and workout circles

    Life went from “where are we?” to “how did we get so lucky?”

    Lessons from Pekanbaru

    Pekanbaru taught me:

    • Community doesn’t just appear, you build it
    • Adventure exists in everyday moments: side-of-the-road eggs, pineapple by the armful, Go-Jek stool deliveries
    • Hidden luxuries exist, a spa day, a movie night, a friendship you never expected
    • Balance, creativity, and humor turn any city into home
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    Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you shop through them, I may earn a small commission , helping me justify buying “just one more” baking pan 

  • Jakarta vs. Pekanbaru: Two Completely Different Versions of Our Indonesian Expat Life

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    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 emotional growth packed into a jet-lagged blur.

    I arrived with:

    ✔ A baby
    ✔ No furniture
    ✔ Total disorientation
    ✔ Questionable confidence

    The Empty House Era

    Our shipment hadn’t arrived yet.

    So there I was…

    In a massive house…

    With absolutely nothing in it.

    No couch.
    No chairs.
    No distractions.

    Just me, sitting on the floor thinking:

    “What in the actual hell did I get us into?”

    Pack ’n Play = MVP

    My baby slept in a Pack ’n Play for months.

    And that humble little travel crib became:

    Familiar
    Safe
    Predictable
    My emotional support furniture

    Because when your entire world flips upside down, tiny comforts matter big time.

    Check out my other baby essentials!

    Finding My Lifelines

    Somewhere between panic and adaptation, I found:

    🇦🇺 ANZA (Australia New Zealand Association)
    The company expat wife group

    Absolute sanity savers.

    ANZA: Coffee, Babies & Survival

    They welcomed me despite my very obvious lack of Australian credentials.

    “You have a baby? Come sit with us.”

    Suddenly:

    Coffee dates
    Playgroups
    Women who got it

    The Expat Wife Group: Instant Community

    These women took me under their wing with breathtaking kindness.

    They introduced me to:

    Activities
    Outings
    How to function in Jakarta
    Friendship

    Because expat women understand something deeply:

    We were all new once.

    Then… Plot Twist: Pekanbaru

    Just as Jakarta stopped feeling completely overwhelming…

    We were relocated to Pekanbaru, Sumatra.

    Cue emotional whiplash round two!

    Breaking Big News (All at Once)

    When I told my nanny, Ibu Atik, we were moving…

    I also told her:

    I was pregnant with #2

    Because why deliver life updates in manageable portions?

    Her Reaction Was Not What I Expected

    Instead of sadness…

    Instead of hesitation…

    She essentially said:

    “Okay, we’re coming too.”

    Excuse me?

    What She Did Next Still Blows My Mind

    She went home and told her husband:

    She would leave him if he didn’t agree to BOTH:

    Moving with us
    The pregnancy news

    Reader, he agreed 😆

    And just like that…

    They came with us.

    More Than a Nanny

    Atik became:

    My security blanket
    My constant
    My translator of life
    My friend

    Because when everything keeps changing, the people who stay matter the most.

    Pekanbaru: A Completely Different World

    If Jakarta was sensory overload…

    Pekanbaru was

    Quieter
    Slower
    Smaller
    More intimate

    But also…

    Initially lonely.

    Enter: The Distributor Company Wives

    Through a simple invitation, my husband being asked to a movie night by a coworker, everything shifted.

    Because in expat life:

    One invite can change everything.

    Suddenly We Were “In”

    And just like that:

    Sushi nights
    Compound crawls
    Dinner clubs
    Workout groups
    Real friendships

    What once felt like:

    “Where ARE we?”

    Became:

    “How did we get so lucky?”

    Yes, There Were Politics

    Of course there were whispers.

    Some moms wondering why I was included.

    Why me?

    But they were the minority.

    Because Our Situation Was… Unique

    We were:

    • The vending company
    • The only family relocated to Sumatra
    • The only “Bules” outside the distributor compound

    Which meant:

    We weren’t tucked inside the typical expat bubble.

    We were immersed in an Indonesian community.

    The Unexpected Magic of That Immersion

    This is where the story gets really special.

    My Nanny Built Bridges I Couldn’t

    Atik connected with Indonesian families living in our small compound.

    Even without a shared language…

    Connections formed.

    Friday Pool Parties (Yes, Really)

    Every Friday:

    Ladies would come over
    Kids splashing everywhere
    And me… making pasta

    Because apparently I became:

    The compound’s Italian restaurant

    Then the Beautiful Shift

    Over time, they began bringing:

    Indonesian dishes
    Homemade food
    Friends
    Culture

    Suddenly I wasn’t just feeding them…

    They were introducing me to their world.

    A Language Barrier Doesn’t Block Kindness

    We couldn’t fully communicate.

    But we didn’t need to.

    Smiles.
    Gestures.
    Food.
    Laughter.

    Universal language.

    Memories I Will Hold Forever

    Those Fridays…

    Those women…

    Those shared meals…

    Were some of the most genuine, human, beautiful moments of our entire expat life.

    What Indonesia Truly Gave Me

    Not just adventure.

    Not just stories.

    But:

    Community
    Perspective
    Deep cultural connection
    Lifelong memories

    And proof that even in the most unexpected places…

    You can build something extraordinary.

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  • Finding a Nanny & Building a Support System While Living in Indonesia

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    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 temporarily out of your comfort zone.

    When you move abroad?

    Your comfort zone is gone.

    And suddenly the things you once took for granted feel enormous:

    • Date night coverage
    • Sick-day help
    • Someone to call in a crisis
    • A break
    • A breather

    Because parenting without a village hits differently.

    The Plot Twist: I Wasn’t Even Looking for Childcare

    Here’s the part that still makes me laugh.

    I wasn’t searching for a nanny.

    I wasn’t interviewing candidates.

    I wasn’t even thinking about childcare.

    During our “look-see” trip, that whirlwind visit where companies parade you around to convince you life abroad will be magical, we were introduced to the idea of hiring household help.

    And not casually.

    More like…

    “You’ll need a nanny.”

    Excuse me?

    “Everyone has one.”

    Oh?

    “It’s normal here.”

    Uh huh…

    “You’re helping the local economy.”

    Well now I feel morally obligated.

    Because in Indonesia, This Is Completely Normal

    In Indonesia, employing household staff is far more common than in the U.S.

    Not a luxury.
    Not a celebrity lifestyle.
    Just everyday structure for many families.

    We quickly learned:

    • Some nannies are live-in
    • Some are live-out
    • Many become deeply integrated into family life

    Meanwhile I was internally processing:

    “Wait… I just moved continents and now I’m hiring someone to help raise my child??”

    Enter: Ibu Atik

    Despite my hesitation, we met Ibu Atik.

    Warm.
    Calm.
    Steady.

    The kind of presence that immediately softens your anxiety — even when your brain is screaming THIS IS ALL HAPPENING VERY FAST.

    I didn’t know then just how pivotal she would become in our lives.

    Three Weeks Later… Chaos

    Three weeks into living in Indonesia:

    Boom! Appendicitis.

    Because apparently relocation stress wasn’t enough excitement for my body.

    The Moment That Changed Everything

    Standing in a Jakarta hospital preparing for emergency surgery, I faced something no expat parent ever feels ready for:

    Handing my baby over.

    To someone I’d only known for weeks.

    Trusting completely.

    What She Did Still Leaves Me Speechless

    Without hesitation, Ibu Atik:

    • Left her village an hour away
    • Battled legendary Jakarta traffic
    • Arrived on a Saturday
    • Calmly took my daughter
    • Stayed
    • Reassured me
    • Then cared for my baby overnight

    While I lay there thinking:

    “How is this woman already my lifeline?”

    Side Note: We Couldn’t Even Drive

    Another expat twist:

    We weren’t allowed to drive ourselves.

    We were required to have a company driver.

    Which meant that day required trusting:

    ✔ My nanny
    ✔ Our driver
    ✔ A completely foreign system
    ✔ A brand-new version of “my village”

    The Emotional Reality No One Warns You About

    No one prepares you for how vulnerable expat life can feel.

    How quickly you must:

    • Release control
    • Accept help
    • Build trust at lightning speed
    • Adapt emotionally

    It was terrifying.

    And also…

    One of the most profound lessons of my life.

    Because She Became So Much More Than “Help”

    Ibu Atik became:

    Stability
    Comfort
    Support
    Family

    Not something I planned.

    But exactly what we needed.

    And My Village Slowly Rebuilt Itself

    Between:

    • Our nanny
    • Our driver
    • Other expat wives
    • New friendships

    A new support system formed.

    Different from home.

    But real.
    Strong.
    Lifesaving in its own way.

    What Indonesia Taught Me

    • Normal looks different everywhere
    • Help is cultural, not indulgent
    • Trust can grow quickly
    • Villages can be rebuilt
    • Support comes in unexpected forms

    And sometimes…

    The thing you never planned for becomes the thing you can’t imagine surviving without.

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  • Culture Shock Is Real: Things That Surprised Me Living Abroad With Kids

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    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 trip and your fifth attempt at explaining something with hand gestures.

    Surprise #1: Nothing Is Hard — But Everything Is Harder

    It’s not that tasks become impossible.

    It’s that everything requires more:

    • More thinking
    • More translating
    • More patience
    • More mental energy

    Simple things suddenly feel… layered.

    ✔ Opening a bank account
    ✔ Scheduling appointments
    ✔ Understanding forms
    ✔ Navigating services

    Each step manageable.

    All of it together?
    Mentally draining in a way travel never quite is.

    Surprise #2: Grocery Stores Become Emotional Battlegrounds

    No one warned me that grocery stores would become my personal psychological endurance test.

    I didn’t walk in looking for exotic discoveries.

    I walked in with one primary mission:

    Find pasta and/or chicken!

    Not because pasta was rare.
    Not because I couldn’t cook other things.

    But because pasta became my comfort anchor.

    My edible piece of normalcy.

    When everything around you is unfamiliar-language, packaging, brands, layout, your brain desperately clings to something that says:

    “I recognize this. I know this. This is safe.”

    Some people seek chocolate.

    I sought carbohydrates.

    Surprise #3: Mental Fatigue Is the Real Villain

    Even on good days, your brain is constantly processing:

    • Currency conversions
    • Language translation
    • Social norms
    • Navigation
    • Cultural nuances
    • “Am I doing this right?”

    It’s like running a marathon made entirely of tiny decisions.

    By evening, you’re not tired from activity.

    You’re tired from thinking.

    Surprise #4: Language Barriers Are Humbling

    Even basic communication can feel oddly high-stakes.

    Suddenly you’re overthinking sentences like:

    “Where is the bathroom?”

    To cope, I became that person.

    ✔ I made charts
    ✔ I wrote cheat sheets
    ✔ I taped phrase guides to my front door
    ✔ I carried a tiny pocket notebook

    Because sometimes your brain simply refuses to retrieve vocabulary when you’re standing face-to-face with another human.

    My notebook became my security blanket.

    Filled with:

    • Essential phrases
    • Polite responses
    • Emergency explanations
    • Words I absolutely did not trust myself to remember under pressure

    Was it glamorous?

    No.

    Was it effective?

    Also… surprisingly yes.

    Surprise #5: Kids Adapt — But With Standards (Or Not)

    Children are wildly resilient.

    But also famously selective.

    They’ll adjust to:

    ✔ New country
    ✔ New environment
    ✔ Different routines

    Yet many draw a dramatic emotional boundary at:

    ❌ Different milk
    ❌ Bread “tasting weird”
    ❌ Yogurt inconsistencies
    ❌ Anything that isn’t shaped exactly like home

    Except… apparently my kids are not normal.

    Because while I braced myself for picky-eater battles abroad…

    Mine happily ate everything.

    Case in point:

    While we were living in Indonesia, our nanny was feeding my then-9-month-old spicy food.

    Actual spicy food 🌶️

    Naturally, I had a minor internal meltdown.

    Me:
    “Oh no no no, that’s too spicy!”

    Her (calm, completely unfazed):
    “No miss, she loves it.”

    And reader…

    My daughter absolutely did.

    Not a tear.
    Not a complaint.
    Just a tiny human enthusiastically devouring flavors I wasn’t emotionally prepared for.

    To this day, my daughter still loves spicy food.

    Which was honestly eye-opening.

    Just because my gut can’t tolerate spice…Doesn’t mean hers can’t.

    Kids are their own people — with their own tastes, preferences, and surprisingly adventurous palates.

    For Parents of Fussy Eaters (I See You 💛)

    If your child is more in the:

    “I only eat beige foods” club…

    Bringing familiar comfort snacks from home in the beginning can be a huge adjustment lifesaver.

    Not forever.
    Not as a crutch.

    Just as a soft landing during a big transition.

    Because culture shock hits kids too, sometimes through their taste buds first.

    Surprise #6: The Funny, Humbling Moments

    Living abroad guarantees ego-check experiences.

    Like:

    • Confidently mispronouncing something
    • Smiling through total confusion
    • Nodding along while internally screaming
    • Realizing you accidentally agreed to something you didn’t fully understand

    And honestly?

    These moments become some of the best stories.

    Eventually.

    After the mild embarrassment fades.

    Surprise #7: The Emotional Undercurrent

    Culture shock isn’t just logistical.

    It’s emotional.

    Even when you love where you are.

    Even when you’re grateful.

    Even when you know this experience is extraordinary.

    You can still feel:

    • Disoriented
    • Overstimulated
    • Homesick
    • Mentally stretched

    Two things can coexist:

    “This is amazing.”
    “This is a lot.”

    Both are normal.

    Both are valid.

    What Actually Helped Me Adjust

    Not perfection.
    Not instant confidence.

    Just small, stabilizing anchors:

    ✔ Familiar routines
    ✔ Comfort foods (hello, pasta 🍝)
    ✔ Grace for myself
    ✔ Humor
    ✔ Lowered expectations
    ✔ My phrase notebook
    ✔ Tiny pieces of “home”

    Because adaptation isn’t a switch.

    It’s a slow recalibration.

    If You’re Considering Living Abroad

    Here’s the truth no glossy Instagram reel fully captures:

    ✔ Culture shock is real
    ✔ It’s normal
    ✔ It doesn’t mean you regret your decision
    ✔ It comes in waves
    ✔ It gets easier
    ✔ It’s often hilarious in hindsight

    And sometimes…

    Your biggest victory of the day is simply finding pasta in a foreign grocery store.

    Which honestly deserves a medal

    Little Things That Helped During Culture Shock

    Some items that unexpectedly became sanity-savers:

    • Pocket notebook / travel journal
    • Travel backpack (now everyday survival bag)
    • Kids’ familiar snacks
    • Comfort toiletries
    • Small toys / distractions
    • Organizers & pouches
    • Anything that created familiarity in unfamiliar surroundings

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  • 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 alter ego.

    Traveling With Kids Feels Like…

    • An adventure
    • A memory-maker
    • A fun challenge
    • Slight chaos sprinkled with excitement

    Even when it’s messy, it’s still framed as:

    Yay! We’re on a trip! 

    Patience is higher.
    Expectations are softer.
    Snacks flow like currency.

    You forgive things more easily because hey,
    this is temporary.

    Living Abroad With Kids Feels Like…

    “Oh. This is not a trip.”

    Cue internal buffering.

    Because suddenly you’re not navigating:

    ✔ Airport logistics
    ✔ Hotel check-ins
    ✔ Vacation mode

    You’re navigating:

    • School systems
    • Healthcare
    • Grocery stores that don’t carry your comfort brands
    • Bureaucracy (SO MUCH bureaucracy)
    • Language barriers
    • “Why is this simple thing suddenly complicated?”

    And you can’t just tell yourself:

    “It’s fine, we leave Sunday.”

    Because you don’t.

    The Mental Shift No One Warns You About

    When you travel, your brain is wired for novelty.

    When you live abroad, your brain whispers:

    “…so this is just life now?”

    It’s surreal in a way that’s hard to explain unless you’ve lived it.

    Not bad.
    Not panicked.
    Just… a strange recalibration of reality.

    Like standing in a foreign grocery aisle thinking:

    “I live here.
    Why does that feel both amazing and completely insane?”

    Kids, Meanwhile…

    Often adapt faster than we do

    Because kids don’t overthink:

    • Currency
    • Cultural differences
    • Administrative systems

    They care about:

    ✔ Snacks
    ✔ Playgrounds
    ✔ Bedtime
    ✔ Familiar comfort objects

    Which honestly becomes a powerful lesson in perspective.

    When “Travel Gear” Becomes “Daily Survival Gear”

    Funny twist?

    Half the things I bought “for travel” became everyday essentials.

    My once-strategic travel backpack?

    Now my mobile command center.

    Inside:

    • Snacks
    • Wipes
    • Random tiny toys
    • Emergency everything
    • My sanity (barely)

    Same story with:

    ✔ Carrier
    ✔ Organizers
    ✔ Pouches
    ✔ Comfort items from home

    Turns out expat life is just… extended travel with laundry and responsibilities

    Expectation vs Reality (Because Of Course)

    Expectation:
    We’re seasoned travelers. This will feel natural.

    Reality:
    Why is opening a bank account harder than giving birth?

    Expectation:
    Kids are so adaptable!

    Reality:
    WHY IS THE WRONG COLOR SPOON A CRISIS IN ANY COUNTRY

    Expectation:
    We live somewhere exotic and culturally glam.

    Reality:
    Still arguing about bedtime. Just with different scenery.

    But Here’s The Truth

    Despite the weirdness, the adjustments, the “what are we doing?” moments…

    There is something incredibly special about building a life somewhere else.

    About your kids growing up with:

    Broader perspectives
    Different cultures
    New normalcies

    Even when it feels chaotic.
    Even when it feels surreal.
    Even when you desperately miss familiar cereal brands.

    If You’re Considering Living Abroad With Kids

    Know this:

    ✔ It’s not just travel
    ✔ It’s not always glamorous
    ✔ It’s sometimes overwhelming
    ✔ It’s often hilarious
    ✔ It stretches you in ways vacations never will

    And strangely…

    That’s part of the magic.

    Expat / Travel Gear That Became Non-Negotiable

    Some things I originally bought for travel that now live permanently in my daily rotation:

    • Travel backpack
    • Baby carrier
    • Comfort items from home
    • Tiny distraction toys
    • Wipes (forever & always)

  • 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 hopes
    Questionable logistics
    Emotional moments
    And 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 the chaotic parts.

    1. The Anticipation is Pure Magic

    Before a trip, everything feels exciting.

    The countdown.
    The packing (okay… sometimes).
    The “are we there yet?” energy days before departure.

    Kids experience pre-trip excitement like it’s Christmas morning meets Disneyland meets caffeine.

    It’s contagious.

    2. Airports Are an Adventure to Them

    To adults: lines, delays, overpriced snacks.

    To kids:

    👀 Escalators!
    👀 Airplanes!
    👀 Moving walkways!
    👀 Tiny shampoo bottles!

    Everything is fascinating.

    Even Gate B12 becomes a source of wonder.

    3. The Unexpected Moments Become the Best Memories

    Not the perfectly planned itinerary.

    But:

    • The random playground you stumbled upon
    • The silly meltdown that becomes a family joke
    • The snack disaster
    • The “remember when…” stories

    Traveling with kids guarantees unpredictability.

    Which weirdly guarantees unforgettable moments.

    4. Watching Them Experience the World

    This one gets me every time.

    Seeing your child:

    Try a new food
    Hear a new language
    See the ocean/mountains/city lights
    Ask wildly insightful (or hilarious) questions

    You’re not just traveling.

    You’re watching a tiny human’s worldview expand in real time.

    5. The Forced Togetherness (In the Best Way)

    At home, life is busy.

    Schedules. School. Work. Activities.

    Travel presses pause.

    Suddenly you’re:

    ✔ Together constantly
    ✔ Sharing experiences
    ✔ Laughing more
    ✔ Slightly sleep deprived but bonded

    Let’s Talk Expectations (Because They Matter)

    Traveling with kids is amazing.

    But it is not:

    ❌ A relaxing vacation
    ❌ A productivity retreat
    ❌ A spa experience

    It is:

    ✔ A memory-making adventure
    ✔ A patience-building exercise
    ✔ A chaos-with-beautiful-moments situation

    Shift expectations → enjoyment skyrockets.

    Things I’ve Learned to Love About Family Travel

    Even the parts that once stressed me out:

    Slower pace
    Extra snack stops
    Early bedtimes
    Playground detours
    Silly travel rituals
    The ridiculous things kids pack

    Because this phase?

    It’s fleeting.

    (Everyone tells you that. They’re annoyingly correct.)

    Our Favorite Family Travel Joys

    Some of the little things that make trips special:

    • Hotel bed jumping
    • Airport treats
    • Window seat negotiations
    • New breakfast spots
    • Souvenir hunts
    • Travel day pajamas
    • Vacation inside jokes
    • “Best part of the day” chats

    Final Valentine’s Thought

    Traveling with kids isn’t always easy.

    But it is layered with:

    Laughter
    Bonding
    Perspective
    Stories you’ll tell forever

    And honestly?

    I wouldn’t trade the noise, the snack crumbs, or the occasional mid-flight meltdown for anything.

    Because this is the good stuff.

    Messy, loud, unforgettable love.

  • 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, Adjust Your Expectations (This is Key)

    If you board expecting:

    • A silent baby
    • A relaxing movie marathon
    • Eight uninterrupted hours of sleep

    You are setting yourself up for emotional damage.

    Instead, aim for:

    ✔ “Manageable”
    ✔ “Everyone survives”
    ✔ “Minimal public apologies”

    Because mindset is half the battle.

    Book Bassinet Seating If Available

    If your airline offers bassinet seating…

    BOOK. IT. IMMEDIATELY.

    No overthinking. No hesitation.

    It is an absolute game changer.

    Having a safe place for your baby to sleep that is not:

    Your arms
    Your lap
    A precarious pillow situation

    = priceless.

    Pair it with:

    • [Baby Sleep Sack / Swaddle]
    • [Portable White Noise Machine]
    • [Pacifier Clip]

    Essentials!

    No Bassinet? No Problem (Truly)

    You didn’t fail. You’ll survive.

    Millions of parents do this every year.

    Just prepare for:

    • Lots of holding
    • Creative positioning
    • stretching whenever humanly possible
    • Defending your armrest like a civilized warrior

    Because when you’re balancing a sleeping baby for hours, that armrest is no longer optional structural support.

    Understanding Baby Behavior at Altitude

    Something no one really explains:

    Airplanes are weird sensory environments for babies.

    They experience:

    • Constant white noise
    • Cabin pressure shifts
    • Dry air
    • New smells/sounds
    • Disrupted routine

    Which means:

    Fussiness isn’t failure
    Sleepiness isn’t guaranteed
    Flexibility becomes your superpower

    Dress Baby for Comfort, Not Instagram

    Long flights are not the time for:

    Complicated outfits
    Tiny jeans
    Anything with 47 buttons

    Think:

    ✔ Soft
    ✔ Breathable
    ✔ Easy diaper access

    My go-tos:

    • [Zip-Up Sleeper]
    • [Lightweight Onesie]
    • [Extra Outfit (or three)]

    Because blowouts at 35,000 feet are not a myth.

    They are a lifestyle.

    Always Pack Backup Clothes for YOU

    No one tells you this the first time.

    They should.

    Because when a diaper situation goes sideways, there is a very real chance you become collateral damage.

    Additionally, be comfortable! No skinny mom jeans, or even jeans! Your back will thank you.

    In my carry-on:

    • [Spare Shirt]
    • [Leggings / Lightweight Pants]
    • [Wet/Dry Bag]

    Learn from my mistakes.

    Feeding on Long Flights

    Whether breastfeeding, formula feeding, or combo feeding — long flights require a little strategy.

    Formula-Feeding Lifesaver

    Ready-to-feed bottles = sanity saver.

    No mixing.
    No turbulence water disasters.
    No powder explosions.

    • [Ready-to-Feed Formula Bottles]
    • [Travel Bottle Set]

    Breastfeeding on Planes

    Totally doable.

    Actually very convenient for:

    ✔ Comfort
    ✔ Sleep
    ✔ Ear pressure during takeoff/landing

    Pro tip:

    Bring:

    • [Nursing Cover ]
    • [Muslin Blanket]
    • [Water Bottle for YOU]

    Because airplane air = desert conditions.

    Sleep Strategies That Actually Help

    Will your baby sleep the whole flight?

    Maybe.

    Will they refuse sleep out of pure baby chaos energy?

    Also possible

    Things that genuinely help:

    ✔ Stick loosely to routine
    ✔ Recreate sleep cues
    ✔ Don’t panic if naps are weird

    Helpful items:

    • [Portable White Noise Machine]
    • [Pacifiers]
    • [Favorite Small Blanket]

    Diaper Changes at 30,000 Feet

    Tiny airplane bathrooms. Tiny fold-down tables. Huge challenge.

    Preparation is everything.

    Bring a mini diaper kit, not your entire diaper bag.

    Inside mine:

    • [Compact Changing Pad]
    • [Travel Wipes]
    • [2–3 Diapers]
    • [Diaper Cream Stick / Mini Tube]

    Efficiency = survival.

    Your Carry-On Strategy Matters

    You do NOT want to be digging through chaos mid-flight.

    Think “zones”:

    ✔ Feeding
    ✔ Diapers
    ✔ Clothing
    ✔ Sleep

    Helpful sanity savers:

    • [Diaper Backpack]
    • [Packing Pouches / Organizers]

    Your Baby Will Feed Off Your Energy

    Babies are tiny emotional detectives.

    If you’re tense, stressed, apologizing to everyone within a 5-row radius…

    They notice.

    Stay calm. Stay flexible.

    Remember:

    This is temporary
    You are doing great
    Most people are far more understanding than you fear

    The Social Pressure No One Talks About

    Parents often board feeling like:

    “I hope my baby doesn’t ruin this for everyone.”

    Let me gently say:

    Babies are allowed on airplanes
    You paid for your seat
    You are not an inconvenience

    Most passengers are far kinder than your anxiety predicts.

    And the few who aren’t?

    Not your problem.

    Final Truth Bomb

    Long-haul flights with a baby are:

    ✔ Exhausting
    ✔ Slightly chaotic
    ✔ Occasionally magical
    ✔ Completely survivable

    And once it’s over?

    You’ll feel like an absolute superhero.

    My Long-Haul Flight Survival Essentials

    Things I would never board without:

    • [Baby Carrier]
    • [Sleep Sack / Swaddle]
    • [Ready-to-Feed Bottles / Feeding Supplies]
    • [Wet/Dry Bag]
    • [Compact Diaper Kit]
    • [Backup Outfit for Me + Baby]

  • 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, persistent thought:

    “Is this actually my life right now?”

    Because nothing, absolutely nothing, prepares you for the sheer surrealism of moving with your baby across the world.

    The Flight: Surprisingly… Fine?

    Against all odds, my daughter was an excellent traveler.

    She slept.
    She relaxed.
    She did not scream her way across continents.

    Honestly? She handled the trip better than many adults I’ve flown with!

    I’m convinced a few things helped us tremendously:

    • My [Baby Carrier] – absolute airport survival tool
    • [Ready-to-Feed Formula / Travel Bottles] – no mid-flight mixing chaos
    • [Extra Outfit (for baby AND me)] – learned this the hard way

    The only recurring drama?

    Blowouts.
    Every. Single. Flight.

    Listen, pack extra clothes for the baby, yes.

    But also pack a backup outfit for yourself, unless you enjoy smelling faintly of disaster somewhere over the Pacific.

    My MVPs:

    • [Wet/Dry Bag]
    • [Compact Diaper Changing Kit]
    • [Travel-Size Stain Remover]

    Bassinet Seats = Absolute Game Changer

    If your airline offers bassinet seating on long-haul flights, book it immediately.

    No hesitation. No overthinking.

    It is an absolute game changer.

    Having a safe place for your baby to sleep that is not your arms, lap, or precariously balanced travel pillow? Priceless.

    Especially when paired with:

    • [Baby Sleep Sack / Swaddle]
    • [Portable White Noise Machine]
    • [Pacifier Clip]

    And if you can’t get one?

    No worries. Truly.

    Just mentally prepare… and make sure you stand your ground with your seat partner regarding the armrest!

    Because when you’re holding a baby for hours, that armrest is no longer a shared luxury, it’s structural support.

    That Moment It Hits You

    Somewhere mid-journey, between time zones and reheated airplane air, it sinks in:

    You are not just going on a trip.

    You are transporting a very small human to a completely different part of the world.

    Different climate.
    Different culture.
    Different everything.

    It’s not fear exactly… just a strange mental vertigo.

    Like your brain needs a minute to catch up with your boarding pass.

    Arrival in Indonesia: Sensory Overload

    Stepping off the plane felt like walking into:

    • A wall of humidity
    • A completely different rhythm of life
    • Total disorientation mixed with awe

    Everything looked, smelled, and felt different.

    Not bad different.

    Just whoa different.

    And there I was holding a baby thinking:

    “Well… this escalated quickly.”

    A few things that helped us survive the climate shift:

    • [Lightweight Baby Clothing]
    • [Portable Stroller Fan]
    • [Baby-Safe Sunscreen]

    Traveling With a Baby Made It Even Stranger

    Because while I was absorbing:

    • New surroundings
    • New sounds
    • New rules
    • New reality

    My baby was just…

    • Existing peacefully
    • Napping
    • Completely unfazed

    Babies really are the ultimate “go with the flow” travelers.

    What Surprised Me Most

    • How adaptable babies are
    • How kind people were
    • How quickly “new” starts feeling normal
    • How bizarrely calm I actually felt

    Not because it wasn’t overwhelming.

    But because sometimes you’re just too busy doing the thing to overthink the thing.

    Traveling Internationally With a Baby = Bring a Tiny Pharmacy

    Even if your destination has great medical care, you do not want to be Googling medication equivalents at 2am in a foreign country.

    In my bag:

    • [Braun Thermometer]
    • [Infant Tylenol]
    • [Infant Motrin]
    • [Diaper Cream – Desitin / Butt Paste]
    • [Aquaphor]
    • [Travel Medicine Pouch]

    Peace of mind = priceless.

    The Emotional Reality (Without the Drama)

    It wasn’t chaotic.

    It wasn’t a disaster.

    It was simply…

    Surreal.

    Like watching your own life from slightly outside your body.

    Processing in real time:

    • The scale of what you’re doing
    • The strangeness of it
    • The privilege of the experience

    Would I Do It Again?

    Absolutely.

    Because once the jet lag fades and your brain recalibrates, you realize:

    This isn’t just travel.

    This is the kind of memory that permanently reshapes you.

    And weirdly?

    Doing it with a baby makes it even more unforgettable.

    If You’re Considering Traveling to Indonesia With a Baby

    Here’s my honest take:

    ✔ It’s less terrifying than you imagine
    ✔ Babies are often more adaptable than adults
    ✔ Book bassinet seating if available
    ✔ Pack more clothes than you think
    ✔ Expect the surreal feeling
    ✔ Trust yourself more than your anxiety

    You might surprise yourself.

    I did.

    My Go-To Baby Travel Essentials

    If you’re prepping for a long-haul international flight with a baby, here are the things that genuinely made our trip easier:

    • [Baby Carrier]
    • [Travel Bottles / Ready-to-Feed Formula]
    • [Sleep Sack]
    • [Wet/Dry Bag]
    • [Thermometer]
    • [Diaper Cream

    Click to find my full list of travel must-haves here!

  • 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 where tiny humans lose their minds over the wrong color spoon.

    Here are a few phrases Past Me would have never believed would exit my mouth:

    “Please don’t lick that, we’re in an airport”

    Said while sprinting across terminals.

    Why are children biologically compelled to taste:

    • Airport windows
    • Boarding gate chairs
    • Literally anything within tongue distance

    Nothing says “vacation mode” like yelling this sentence before 7am.

    “That is NOT an airplane snack”

    No, not the safety card. Not the barf bag. Not the mystery crumb from seat 14B circa 2009.

    Why do kids ignore the perfectly good snacks you packed and instead choose chaos cuisine?

    “We cannot pack 17 stuffed animals”

    Airline baggage policies exist for a reason.

    Apparently my child believes we are relocating permanently every time we leave the house.

    “Stop running, this is security”

    Nothing spikes your blood pressure like a toddler making a break for it toward the TSA line.

    Bonus stress if you’re juggling: ✔ Shoes ✔ Laptops ✔ Boarding passes ✔ A baby who picked this exact moment to melt down

    My kids loved running under the security ropes and laughing at my fury. On the plus side, by standers thought it adorable.

    “What do you have in your mouth?!”

    The universal parenting panic question.

    Especially terrifying when you’re 30,000 feet in the air and retrieval options are… limited.

    “No, you cannot push the call button again”

    To the flight attendant: I am so sorry.

    To my child: This is not a doorbell. We are not ordering room service from the sky.

    To airlines: Please put these buttons back overhead, next to the air vents.

    “Please stop kicking the seat”

    A sentence whispered, begged, negotiated, and silently screamed.

    Usually while making aggressive eye contact with the passenger in front of you.

    “Why is everything sticky?”

    Airports. Airplanes. Hotel rooms.

    Where does the stickiness come from? Why is it always on me? Why did I wear a black shirt?

    Again, wipes, lots of wipes.

    “I just want to sit down for five minutes”

    Pre-kid travel: leisurely strolling duty free.

    Post-kid travel: cardio workout featuring luggage, children, snacks, and mild desperation.

    If you do stroll duty free, your kids want to come and always expect you to buy the massive Lego airplane or talking Furby.

    Final Thoughts From a Parent Who Misses Quiet Flights

    Traveling with kids is equal parts magical, exhausting, hilarious, and mildly unhinged.

    Yes, it’s chaotic. Yes, you’ll say things you never imagined. Yes, someone may cry (sometimes you).

    But somehow, between the meltdowns, snack negotiations, and public parenting performances…

    It’s still worth it.

    Mostly.

  • 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 baby, and while there were moments I questioned my life choices, we made it through without tears (hers or mine). TSA included.

    This is everything that actually helped.

    Timing Is Everything (But Don’t Obsess)

    If you can:

    • Aim for flights that line up with naps
    • Arrive early enough to breathe, not sprint

    If you can’t?

    It’s still fine. Babies did not get the memo about flight schedules anyway.

    Carrier > Stroller Through Security

    This is one hill I will die on.

    Using a baby carrier through the airport made everything easier:

    • Hands free
    • Baby calm and contained
    • TSA less chaotic

    I still brought a stroller, I just checked it at the gate, which was a lifesaver for long terminals.

    TSA With a Baby: What Actually Happens

    Here’s the part everyone panics about and honestly, it wasn’t bad.

    • You DO have to remove your baby from the carrier, its not awesome, but they have to scan the carrier.
    • People will help, they want the line to move along. Take the help! I had a lady hold my son while I was loading stroller & carrier etc. on the the security conveyor belt. It was a P.I.A but we got through.
    • Formula, breast milk, and baby food are allowed. They will swab and will take a minute. Now is the time to be patient.
    • TSA agents are usually kinder when they see a baby (facts)

    You may get extra screening. You will survive.

    What to Keep Easily Accessible in Your Bag

    Do not bury these at the bottom of your carry-on:

    • Diapers (more than you think)
    • Wipes (for everything)
    • Changing pad
    • Extra outfit for baby
    • Extra shirt for you (learn from my mistakes)

    Feeding Your Baby in the Airport

    Feeding can actually calm everyone down, baby included.

    • Feed during layovers
    • Feed before boarding
    • Feed whenever chaos feels imminent

    If you’re formula feeding, ready-to-feed bottles are a gift from the travel gods.

    If you’re breastfeeding, find a quiet corner or nursing room or don’t. Do what works for you.

    The Bathroom Situation (Lower Expectations)

    Airport bathrooms are… an experience.

    • Use family bathrooms when available
    • Skip changing tables if they’re questionable
    • Bring your own changing pad

    You’re not aiming for perfect. You’re aiming for functional.

    Mental Survival Tips No One Talks About

    This part matters more than the gear:

    • People are thinking about themselves, not judging you
    • Most airport stress is temporary
    • Babies feed off your energy

    Slow down. Breathe. You’re doing something brave.

    Final Thoughts: You’re Doing Better Than You Think

    Traveling with a baby through an airport isn’t glamorous. It’s not Instagram-perfect. But it is doable.

    You don’t need to master it, just get through it.

    And when you do, you’ll realize something important:

    If you can survive the airport with a baby, you can survive just about anything.