I never thought traveling abroad with a 10-month old was going to be easy. But I never expected it to be so tough either. However, when everyone you meet tells you how brave you are to have brought your baby overseas, you start to get the hint that maybe they know something you don’t…
Let me start off by saying that I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to go to Italy in the first place. It was definitely a trip of a lifetime and I am very glad that we (Kaston, my husband and I) did it. I am also glad that we brought Kaston and wouldn’t have had it any other way (primarily due to the fact that I am still nursing him, but also because I would have missed him way too much).
With that being said, if someone were to ask me my thoughts on taking their infant on an overseas trip, I’d tell them to save their money – unless they thrive on challenge and then by all means I’d tell them to go for it!
From having to lug around an extra suitcase-worth of clothes, diapers, toys, etc. to having to literally lift up the stroller every 100 yards thanks to the never-been redone cobblestone streets and miles of stairs, the strain on my body was enough to handle, not to mention the strain on mine and my husband’s sanity thanks to sleepless nights and a nursing-obsessed child. (Luckily we both took it in stride and didn’t let it affect our relationship at all – because that can definitely be an issue!)
Moreover, the fact that I was “targeted” by a local gang of locals who took advantage of the fact that I had a baby with me and literally stole my husband’s cell phone off our 1 ½ foot [in diameter] table as soon as he walked away for a second, didn’t help the situation any. And that was on the very first day! I was very aware of my surroundings and kept our bags, wallets, passports, etc. all very secure – but didn’t think twice about what was right in front of my face. Needless to say, I learned my lesson the hard way. At least we only had a couple hours worth of photos on there, and not the whole trips…
We did see some spectacular sites though, and just being surrounded by such history really is an amazing feeling. Plus, the fact that I got to spend 10 days with my husband (something we haven’t done since our honeymoon), and that Kaston got to come along for the ride, truly was something that I am thankful for and will never forget.
In the end, I am glad the three of us took the journey together… because I can’t imagine doing something like that again any time soon – if ever.
I think our next vacation is going to be on a nice, tranquil beach somewhere. We are going to go and just relax. No trains to catch or sites to see. Just us and the baby… and maybe a relative to tag along for some help.
