We've traveled with our son since he was tiny and moved to Umbria for 4 months when he was 9 months old. We had to be adaptable, but it was great. As parents of a young child, we experienced Italy and Italians in a completely different way. We took our son everywhere and the Italians were so sweet to him and by extension to us, his caretakers. It was common to bring him into a restaurant and to have him whisked away to be shown around while prosecco magically appeared on the table for his parents. My husband was praised by the nonnas for carrying our son in a sling and this led to interesting conversations about child-rearing. Our son even charmed the ladies at the customs office into helping us.;) Baby cots were provided in hotels, no problem. The only downside was the shock of returning to the US where babies are treated as an annoyance.
I’ll never forget taking my 2 baby goats (🐐 boys aged 18 mos & 3 1/2 to Italy on a ski trip (ambitious) & feeling so relieved that when they would run helter skelter & jet lagged thru the “lodge” or restaurant .. somebody would magically scoop them 🆙!! It was such a magical relief coming from raising them in Boston & constantly apologizing for their feral ways 🥰
Our daughter Matilda has been traveling since she was 4 months old— first for a road trip up to Cape Cod, then back to Scotland to see family, and Portugal this past spring. She’ll be two in May and we’re planning to be in Garda and then Camogli. You’re so right— we were “training” her in this early days, just as much as we were ourselves. I’m so proud of us for not “retiring” our deep love of exploration and global curiosity. I think some parents think we’re crazy for doing long-haul trips with her, but I’m a big believer in character development by osmosis- and love that she’s been surrounded by beautiful people and places. And she loves it— goes with the flow and is so happy on the road absorbing it all.
We've traveled with our son since he was tiny and moved to Umbria for 4 months when he was 9 months old. We had to be adaptable, but it was great. As parents of a young child, we experienced Italy and Italians in a completely different way. We took our son everywhere and the Italians were so sweet to him and by extension to us, his caretakers. It was common to bring him into a restaurant and to have him whisked away to be shown around while prosecco magically appeared on the table for his parents. My husband was praised by the nonnas for carrying our son in a sling and this led to interesting conversations about child-rearing. Our son even charmed the ladies at the customs office into helping us.;) Baby cots were provided in hotels, no problem. The only downside was the shock of returning to the US where babies are treated as an annoyance.
Love this….❤️🙏
I loved the confessions of a maximalist packer! I am still laughing about it.
I’ll never forget taking my 2 baby goats (🐐 boys aged 18 mos & 3 1/2 to Italy on a ski trip (ambitious) & feeling so relieved that when they would run helter skelter & jet lagged thru the “lodge” or restaurant .. somebody would magically scoop them 🆙!! It was such a magical relief coming from raising them in Boston & constantly apologizing for their feral ways 🥰
The sand collection! I started one ages ago but it has gone missing. One too many moves!
Our daughter Matilda has been traveling since she was 4 months old— first for a road trip up to Cape Cod, then back to Scotland to see family, and Portugal this past spring. She’ll be two in May and we’re planning to be in Garda and then Camogli. You’re so right— we were “training” her in this early days, just as much as we were ourselves. I’m so proud of us for not “retiring” our deep love of exploration and global curiosity. I think some parents think we’re crazy for doing long-haul trips with her, but I’m a big believer in character development by osmosis- and love that she’s been surrounded by beautiful people and places. And she loves it— goes with the flow and is so happy on the road absorbing it all.