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Nick Tales
Adventures
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Mom's Musings
Mom's take on Tales from the Trail! Maddie and I have been traveling and adventuring from the very beginning. This musing is all about tips, tricks, & laughs - all part of our traveling with kids, kidpreneurs, kid book recommendations and reviews, and of course kid experiences and adventures in life!
Ever sense Maddie could walk, she would stop and pick up trash. It truly bothered her that people would be so mean to Mother Earth. In talking with other parents, I learned that many kids find trash upsetting too. So I have to wonder, when does caring about the disposal of trash change for people? And why does it become okay in the minds of some to litter? When we were on our National Park trip, we made it a habit of picking up trash, just like we did when we were home. We would bring a bag with us or put trash in our packs. Maddie and I would often ask ourselves after a nice hike, what if everyone would stop and pick up trash and dispose of it properly? In the United States, we are so lucky to have the infrastructure and public services to handle trash pick-up and removal (I'll save the trash photos from other countries for a different post). So, why don't we use it? Why is trash so often left to be someone else's responsibility or problem? There is so much we can, could, and should do to help Mother Earth and combat climate change. Picking up and disposing of trash is just one example. In looking for programs that already exist, I found an article about how REI is helping to raise awareness regarding small ways we could all "Opt to Act" to help Mother Earth. It you'd like to learn more, checkout REI's 52 week Action plan . I found it interesting that it's all part of their corporate commitment to being closed on Black Friday and encouraging people to get outside and experience nature. I wrote more about this on my LinkedIn account . Want to be encouraged by the efforts of others? Look for and use the hashtags #optoutside and #TakingCareofMotherEarth to see and post photos of actions where mother earth is being protected! What do you think will help spur action to leave the world a better place for future generations? Please share your thoughts in the comments section!
On October 15, 2018, my then five-year old daughter Maddie and I (along with a hamster named Rosie, and a 12-week-old puppy named Sweetie) ventured off from California to destinations know (National Parks), yet when and by which direction we would arrive, it’s fair to say, were less well known. Our original goal was to visit all of the Continental United States National Parks. In total, we were on the road for nine and a half months and during seven of those months, we visited more than 140 National Park sites, including National Parks and National Monuments along with other national park site designations.
After eight years of trying, I was blessed to give birth to my daughter, Madison P. Love. And so, when I returned to work three months afterwards, on occasion, she too came back to work with me. Having traveled for business often, I was able to witness all sorts of families and individuals navigating the world of traveling with infants. I must admit though, I believe much of my luck with traveling with Maddie early in her life was (and it remains so today) her wonderful temperament and the wonderful support systems you leverage along the way. Maddie has always been up for an adventure and so this blog will be dedicated in part to sharing stories of our trails, domestically and internationally. Great piece of advice given to me before Maddie was born: You're always on the go, so take her out everyday you are home on maternity leave. Build your lives together! First Domestic Trip : March 2013, just a little over two months old (I'll save that story for another post) First International Trip : May 10, 2013, about three and one half months old Destination: London, followed by Manchester, London, then home to California Milestones: Mother's Day May 12, 2013 - I WILL spend my 1st Mother's Day with my Daughter! People, in particular grandparents and parents, who knew that I travelled a lot with Maddie, often times asked: What are your "Must Haves" when you hit the road? This was my Go To List: - Red gate check bags for stroller/crib combo unit. I wanted to protect my investment, keep them clean, and also help the grounds crew identify the bags so that they could end up in the jetway as soon as possible. - Boppy pillow and cover - truly a must have for baby and personal comfort while traveling. Maddie could lay between my feet on a baby blanket with the Boppy, in the middle seat next to me (if I was lucky enough to have it empty), or relax comfortably on my lap in the tight quarters of an airplane. - Travel crib bed that Maddie loved - We bought Baby Bjorn - it wasn't cheap in manufacturing or price - it was though outstanding in quality. The bed lasted 4+ years and was probably checked in / travelled 50+ times. Airlines aren't very delicate with things, and this bed stood up to all the airlines could throw at it. Before our first trip, which was to the East Coast, I got her used to it during some nap times, so that when we traveled, night time sleeping was a breeze. - Onsite "nanny care" for coverage when I was at work - I found a company that serviced London and Manchester UK online - (in the US, I usually used care.com ) - A positive attitude. Life happens. Spilled milk, crying babies, dirty diapers, limited sleep; these are just some of the elements that could affect your attitude. The calmer and happier I was, the calmer and happier Maddie seemed to be. Also, because Maddie was happy, I was happier. I've also learned its really super helpful to always have more back up food than you think you may need. The Snicker's ad it true, you are not yourself when you are hungry. This holds true for you and your baby. - And plan for how you're going to get from point A to point B...navigating planes, trains, and automobiles are a must in the UK. Be ready for lots of stairs and people. When you're traveling, be generous with your tips. Be kind to yourself and help others as well. I want to end this post on Amazing To Haves: -Throughout my travels, I have met wonderful people who truly made a difference on how my trip went. For this trip, there was a wonderful fellow female passenger who helped us {and who must have had a great laugh afterwards} balance holding Maddie while getting everything packed away in the red gate check bags ! Thank you, whoever you were! Your assistance was so helpful and it was greatly appreciated.