Today I wanted to touch on something that I didn't think I would ever be able to do. Travel by myself with my Two and a Half year old.
I did it! On a budget to! So if you want to get some tips on how you can do it too, just keep reading.
1- Find a cheap flight.
Where ever you are going, there is a budget airline you can take that it will take you there - no, this is not sponsored.
In Europe is Ryan Air, in the states, something like Southwest. Now, there are a lot of rules when its comes to Ryan Air, because the bags is where they make the bulk of their money, I think. For example, if you have a bigger bag than what's allowed, you have to pay to put them under, and not as carry on, because the plain is smaller and they legitimately do not fit... that sort of thing. Southwest I believe let's you check in a bag for free. Ryan Air only lets you bring a carry-on (that its smaller that the regular size bags that are sold as such, and only up to 10 kilos, or 20 pounds, but don't quote my on that last one) here is the FAQ part of their website. The best tip I can give you here, is read carefully! Most of the time this airlines extra charge for reserving seats, and for checking-in, if you don't do so prior to your flight boarding or checking at the airport (this is mostly RyanAir).
2 - Don't board first.
They tell you that when you travel with children you should board first. Well... I don't know about your children, but my hyperactive one would start getting antsy the second his bottom hits the seat and nothing is happening, and all we have to do is wait for other people to board. So, we board last. Every little moment counts, and it also helps the mommy that gets anxious when flying be inside the enclosed space much less time than I would had I boarded first.
3 - Toys.
Pack a bag with toys. Depending on your flight, you might need to spend a lot of a little time while on the flight. Make sure you have enough toys and snacks (that are customs approved, like little packets of nuts, dried fruits, cheerios in a zip lock, some formula if your kid likes milk but you can't take it with you past customs because of the liquids restriction, etc) to give your child. Believe me this is a life saver and it helps to prevent or sometimes avoid altogether, the feared tantrums. Also make sure you get something for yourself. A tablet, book, your knitting... what ever it is, it will help you relax and take a little bit of the unavoidable stress of having to do everything on your own - by doing something you enjoy.
4 - Bags.
This are tricky. I was prepared to pay some overcharges, but I counted fairly well. Two bags for the baby, who's seat i paid and there for had a right too, and two for myself. Not really. But that's the count I made. I left one for trip purchases, and I am glad I did.
Just one bag for clothes, his and mine. A baby backpack and carrier lularue, because its good to change from one to the other, a backpack, with the electronics and my personal documents, money, etc. Whatever you choose to do here, I'd say, over shoot it. Especially if you don't know where the closest grocery store is going to be. If you arrive at night and everything would be potentially closed. This is a case of the better safe than sorry, and over pack, if possible. Diapers, wipes, these things you would need, and most likely have already bought, there is no need to buy extras that would probably won't fit in your bags (I know it wouldn't have on mine) if you bought it there and then came back.
5 - Space.
This might seem odd, but I found that being the one that carried everything, every piece of my body counted. My back was taken, since my son spent all 6 days attached there, whether it be with the backpack or the carrier. So to take the rest of the things I needed, I had to take inventory of where else in my body, could hang the rest?
I would have loved the camera, but there was no space for it, so the iPhone was something I could not leave, my wallet, a map of the city, if the iPhone ran out of battery (I didn't have this, but a portable charger would have been a lot of help, the phone acting as my GPS and Camera as well, tends to run out of juice pretty fast), so the two other things I took with me was a camel pack. It fits a liter and a half of water, and so that went on my front and last but not least... I know this is not fashion sensible, but the only other thing that made sense, occupied less space, and could fit wallet, phone, maps, room keys, and miscellaneous things, was a fanny pack/ bum bag. Yes I rocked it! (Get it? Cause "The Rock" 's TBT)
Anyways, find places where is easier and at the same time keep you balanced, too much on one side or the other, and things than can only hook up thru a side, or one shoulder can be uncomfortable, especially after a while. The best part about a new city is walking it and getting to know new places, hidden ones that you would not have found had you not ventured this or that way... I consider this a very important step.
6 - The Grocery Store.
If you are like me, you would know where everything is the day before you go on your trip, you know the stores that are close, which way to go, and would have planned to have it closed regardless of who you are traveling with, or in this case, are NOT traveling with. Just make sure you have this close by so you can have access to children's over the counter medication (I pack this with me, because you never know, but if you want to save space, you can get it there if needed), water, food if you want to save on restaurants and live of the prepared food section of the store for your time there... This is more of a Budget than a Kids one, but its related, since you can get milk, real food, and snacks for your child, and more importantly, you don't need to pack it.
Well, that's all the wisdom I have to share today. The most important thing is that you can surely enjoy a vacation with your child only. You don't know what you can do until you try, and even if you spend one of your days with your feet up in your room, resting and exhausted after all that walking, it would still be different than staying at home :)
Ill be back with more pictures from my latest travels and more Need To Know videos of wonderful Europe, until then, my adventurous friends.
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