We’ve been fortunate enough to take Vicki with us whenever we have traveled. While that provided many opportunities for fun and adventure, it’s also risky to be that far away from home, away from our routine, and experiencing a ton of new things all at once. No matter how much we plan in advance, something always goes awry. We’ve been through plenty of sleepless nights as she adjusted to a hotel room and different time zones, and had a few plane trips where the screaming just wouldn’t stop. But nothing compares to these two unforgettable memories.
The very first time we took Vicki to the beach was on a family vacation to the Caribbean. We took three planes, a car trip, and a boat ride to get there. I wheeled her stroller onto the sand, bent down to take her out, and noticed an all-too-familiar odor. My darling 8-month-old had a massive blowout that went up her back, down her legs, and pretty much all over everything. After wiping her off the best we could and throwing all her clothes into a wet bag, she was still not totally clean. So I did the only thing I could think of – I stripped down to my swimsuit and carried her, naked, into the ocean for an impromptu bath. Needless to say, she was not pleased.
Another disastrous travel moment that comes to mind happened at the end of an 8-hour flight home. The actual flight was amazing – Vicki napped, played, and snacked the whole time with barely any whining or crying. We had just landed and were taxiing to the gate. I strapped her into my Ergo and waited patiently for the seatbelt sign to go off. In slow motion, I saw her bring her hand to her mouth, stick her fingers down her throat, and projectile vomit all over herself and me. Puke. Was. Everywhere. The poor flight attendant looked like he was going to be sick himself, but valiantly jumped up and brought me a ream of paper towels. My husband and I did our best to mop it up, but it was all in vain. Fortunately, I was able to grab a clean shirt once we claimed our luggage and change into something that didn’t smell like bile.
Even with these major terrible travel moments, and a few dozen inconveniences along the road, I still love to take our daughter along with us when we go somewhere. If nothing else, she makes for some good stories to tell later on and she’s cute in the vacation photos.
What’s your best (or worst!) traveling story with kids?
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At least she waited until you landed to vomit everywhere! When my oldest was 15 months old we were flying, just the two of us, and he puked EVERYWHERE right as the plane took off. We spent the entire flight standing… him naked, wrapped in flimsy blanket… by the plane’s bathroom while the flight attendant graciously cleaned up. It took almost three hours to get it cleaned. That’s how much it was. To say that I didn’t want to get on to our next flight is an understatement. Now it’s funny but at the time it was awful!
On our way home from Christmas vacation this year, our son was harboring a stomach bug. While it didn’t cause him much discomfort at first, he managed to get his father and both grandparents (in two states!!!) very, very sick before we realized what was going on. There were 3 ER trips involved, and our return home was delayed until my husband and son were well enough to travel.
Not as well travelled as the other stories, but on a day trip. My son at the age of 10 months projectile vomited all over a waitress, cafe and my Mum when we were in Chester (England)having been suddenly struck down with rotavirus. My mum had to buy a whole new outfit as she had no spare clothes with her, and the poor waitress had to go home to change. We returned to the same cafe a year later and the same waitress was there and remembered us!
I haven’t had the chance to travel with my kids much. However, there is a great story of my parents traveling with me when I was about 2 years old they took me to Washington D.C. apparently I had a mild ear infection which added with a hot-dog (yum) made a sick kid. Puked all over my poor mother. Clean up was in vain. We end up riding the subway back to the hotel my mother wear my fathers shirt and my dad only his leather jacket and stinking the whole way.