BootsnAll Travel Community

I'm trying to enjoy going to local places and enjoying time with my little family (me, dad, plus a nearly 1 year old boy) but waiting and saving is taking way too long. I'm trying to get somewhere this year, probably Belize or someplace nearby, but looking at all the travel blogs of people and families out there is making me way jealous. Do other parents feel like this? Time is going by so slowly. What am I supposed to do in the mean time? Diapers and gas, that's where all my money goes and I can't stop buying either one.

Yeah, I have the same problem. One thing I've done is start a blog about family travel, for myself and for others, and to remember past trips. http://happyjetbaby.blogspot.com

The other thing is that we're going to do little things to help get ready for the trip. For example, on our next trip we want to go to Japan - so we're going to take Japanese over the next year, and host some Japanese exchange students in our home for dinners, showing around the city, etc. Could you do that for Belize? Take/brush up on Spanish, try to forge some penpals in Belize, and so on?

Your blog looks awesome. You're in Seattle too, which is nice because I'm in Tacoma. We're nearly neighbors.

In Belize they speak mostly English but Spanish is not such a bad idea anyway. You can use it lots of places. Thanks for the advice.

You know, this is kinda out there, but i read this book when I was pregnant (I have a 2 month old)called diaper free... it's basically potty training your kid before the standard time in a very gentle way...If nothing else it's an interesting read you should look into it. I haven't tried it yet myself but it''s how other cultures (non western) do it with out diapers. I would really recommend it. I know it takes a bit of time, but you can all but get your baby off of diapers. The woman who wrote it has a daughter who was completely potty trained at 7 months.
And I'm right there with you jealous of those who've been able to get away and trying to get to a point where I can do it as well.

It's not so out there. We do it! I know lots of people in the PNW who do. I won't say that my child is "potty trained" - being PT by seven months is HIGHLY uncommon and idealistic, I'll tell ya right now (they can't go into the bathroom and pull down their own pants)- and that particular author has an uncommonly idealistic and unrealistic viewpoint on Elimination Communication. I went to one of her workshops. I would say she sort of sets up people for stress or being too hard on themselves.

But it does make travelling easier with less diaper usage. My son uses the toilet for most of the day and tells us when he needs to go (he's 16 months now). There are lots of great EC groups throughout the Northwest. We started at seven months, and I know others who started at 15 months - it's never too late or too early as long as you're chill. I would recommend any book by Laurie Boucke-White, you can see her website at http://www.white-boucke.com/reviews/infantpottytraining.html.

Sweet, I'll have to check that book out. I see what you mean about the "idealistic and unrealistic viewpoint" on Elimination Communication of that author. It is really encouraging to hear that someone has done it successfully. Maybe I'll start to try it in the next week or so.
Since we're on helpful baby techniques I saw this chick on Oprah who I originally thought might be a quack (again, no exp with babies) but I was surprised to find her 100% correct when it comes to Haven. Her name is Priscilla Dunstan and she says there are 5 basic sounds all babies make to communicate their needs in the first 3 mo of life ( I feel like an advertiser ha!)If you go to Oprah.com and type in baby language it shows you it all for free.

One thought on potty training: My wife and I were glad our 18-month-old *wasn't* potty trained when we visited Eastern Europe last summer. Much easier to let him do his business anytime and anywhere than try to find a (clean) toilet!

Something to consider if you're wavering on taking that pre-potty training trip. Of course, there are many other issues in bringing an 18-month-old on a long trip ...

Yeah, jv I hear you. My friends (on a round-the-world trip) are currently running a contest on the world's grottiest toilet. Right now, China is in the lead, but New Zealand had some winners as well.

We actually don't use public potties all that often (unless I hold him over it - he won't go near them otherwise). We use a small portable potty like this at home: http://www.drugstore.com/qxp74940_333181_sespider/baby_...ittle_potty_blue.htm and when camping, driving, and yes, we've taken it on multiweek trips.

Have you seen the nunomad site? I think they have some great ideas there of building a business that you can take with you and work as you roam.

I know one of the authors has posted in this kids area and she took 3 kids with her while she worked. The other author lives quite cheaply in SE asia while generation income in the US.

Might be something to look into. I did not want to do out of country travel when my child was a baby. I did not even want to get on a plane,but we saw lots locally around our beautiful state that was drivable and kept dreaming and scheming.

Home exchange might be something else to look into or servas etc.

Don't be jealous...like everything there is always good news and bad news about every position. When I lived in a small house , I wanted a big one, then when I moved back into a small one I remembered all the good things about a little one. They both have advantages and disadvantages. The same with traveling and staying home.

Keep your eyes on the prize,think out of the box and you will get there. I also find it easier and cheaper with only one,so you might consider that too.The more you have , the more challenge it will be.( That said some people travel with a parcel so anything can be done).

Good luck!