I'm going to London with Luca next week and I've been thinking a lot about how to make the trip memorable for both of us. The Divine Italian is going to be there as well, but he'll be busy working, so most of the time it'll be just me and The Little Prince out on the town.
Luca is a great traveller. Obviously, when you travel with kids, it's not just about you anymore, but I firmly believe that you don't have to sacrifice your own desires for theirs. Everyone can be accommodated. It takes a little more patience and sometimes a little more stealth, but it's possible.
Here's what I've learned so far:
1. When staying at a hotel, tell them if they're really really REALLY good...
(Washington, D.C)
...you will let them sleep on the floor just this once.
2. If the splendors of the Woodrow Wilson House don't do it for them...
(Washington, D.C.)
...playing "jail" in his private elevator will.
3. No matter the age, Roald Dahl never disappoints.
(Gargunnock, Scotland)
4. Be understanding if art in action fails to move them...
(Washington, D.C.)
...but running backwards on a moving platform does.
5. Know that sometimes they need to get away from us just as much as we need to get away from them.
(Gargunnock, Scotland)
6. Accept that sometimes boredom can be remedied...
(Liberty and Co., London)
...by switching seats...
...and sometimes they just have to figure it out on their own.
(Normandy, France)
7. If you're washing one, you might as well wash five.
(Gargunnock, Scotland)
8. If the restaurant staff doesn't mind, neither should you.
(Washington, D.C.)
9. If your child insists on eating pasta with butter every night for dinner, breathe deeply and let it go.
(Yvestot-Bocage, France)
10. The path less-traveled...
.
(Gargunnock, Scotland)
...usually leads to trees. This is a good thing.
11. The more you let them loose now...
(Louvre, Paris)
the better behaved they'll be at that nice outdoor cafe later.
(St. Germain, Paris)
12. When you need a break, never underestimate the somnolent power of the road.
(Somewhere in the French countryside)
13. And at least once on every trip, pull a Willy Wonka.
(Los Angeles)
17 comments:
No Comment! Hai Capito tutto, sei veramente una brava mama! Could you adopt me?? ;-)))
Thank you SO much for this post. Perfect timing as spring break has just begun. Although we are not going anywhere nearly as grand as Europe, the same rules apply.
I will especially try to remember "If the restaurant staff doesn't mind, neither should you." (Being accomodating can be severely stressful!)
Sweet post as usual! Luca is so darling. I can't wait to hear about your trip!
Love this. With 3 boys - 6, 4, and 1 - these rules apply x3!
Absolutely precious post. Letting a child be a child, there's nothing like it to boost your spirit!
-GSG
http://grannysmithgreen.blogspot.com
Lisa -- So enjoyed these pictures.
When were you in Staunton, Virginia? I think of you as so jet-set but then I can picture you getting the most out of any location :)
Style Court: I actually HAVEN'T been to Staunton, Virginia. Are you referring to the Woodrow Wilson Museum? We were in DC. Hang on...
Oh, I see what you mean...I should have said Woodrow Wilson "House", not "Museum"...the house is in DC while the official museum is in VA. I fixed it....Thanks for being my Gaffe Squad!
This is much, much better (and way more realistic) than any 'travelling with children' book I have ever read. Luca looks like he enjoys travelling just as much as his mother. Enjoy London together!
Lisa - Isn't it dreamy when you don't have to worry about packing your carry on with enough food for a week, twenty diapers (in case), toys, books, arts and crafts AND worry about if they will get a nap, and what if they don't, and what if you don't. It's just so terrific when you can just GO and everyone has fun even in the getting there. I'm sure it will be wonderful.
Look, he zapped you and transformed you into a pink ball of fluff, after all that you had been so utterly kind and patient to him.
After all that, which one shall you be embroidering?
Darling little Luca is a very lucky boy. I can only imagine how spectacularly he will develop into adulthood. You are giving him a foundation that not many children have the fortune of having. You are undoubtedly a splendid mother. -well done!
LOVE this post....Luca is so lucky to experience many cultures so early in life!!
Family is important - Nice post, and have a wonderful week in London. Always when time permits bring the "little ones" Cultures and travel excellent exposure for them. Enjoy and do not forget a little lunch break at Harrods, use to spend my evenings in Club land when I visit London - Carlton Club, Travellers etc.
wow. just so you know - you might quite possibly be one of the greatest moms on the face of the earth.
What a great post. A true World traveler.
Ciao
What a sweet posting!
And what lucky kids...
too have you as a mom!
The five adorable kids
in the bath tub makes me giggle!
good stuff lisa!
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