Stephanie is a mother of 5 children. In this blog, she talks about the preparations she made for a family vacation to Suriname. "Shorts, dresses, sunscreen, bikinis, mosquito milk, band-aids, sunglasses, peanut butter, cheese, band-aids, diarrhea inhibitors, board games. And a cloth. Just the first things that came to mind the moment I packed mine and my family's suitcases..."
Vacationing with a baby without a cloth? That's impossible!
The time had come; we were all going on vacation to Suriname. Quite a happening, for a family with so many children. I had been wondering for days what we should take with us. For days. As if I wouldn't survive without all the stuff I don't even use on a daily basis.
Then I thought to myself: so many children, that's enough to carry and lift. Those peanut butter jars, band-aids and Deet I will surely be able to get in a supermarket or drugstore upon arrival. And all those toys? Uhm... let's be a little more selective. If I thought they would need so many toys in a country where the sun shines so abundantly, there is plenty of place to play outside, plenty of animals to explore and people to meet, what would I need all that unnecessary cargo for.
The kids chose their own stuff, me my sling
I decided there just had to be a selection day. Of aaaaaaaal dolls, books, cars, stuffed animals, board games and DVDs, which one is your favorite? With that I began my question to the kids. I can tell you that it actually wasn't too bad. They soon figured it out.
The winners were Snuffie the cuddly bunny, a book full of writing and counting exercises, a toy doll and a mini laptop for rainy days, which could possibly be used to watch movies on. That's it.
Leading by example
Since I believe in leading by example, I decided to apply the same for myself.
What was the first thing that came to mind? My sling. With the rucksac knot, I could tie my little one on me in a snap with only 1 layer of fabric and since my sling (an African one with fun bright colors) is 100% cotton, it would be ideal for carrying in a hot country. Plus handy to use when I have to lug around all those suitcases. Convenient for all the times when your little one is so incredibly sleepy, but can't find his bearings in a strange environment. Handy for all the walks with the kids that your little one gets exhausted after an hour alone, since he can't walk for very long yet. And during 3 weeks of vacation there will probably be days when he is not feeling so well, and would prefer to have mommy around constantly. Sling for the win, if you ask me.
And I was right.
How íḱ glad I was to have it with me say - the sling.
Or the blanket, for when he was sleeping somewhere.
The hammock, which he and his sisters had tremendous fun with in the little hut where I stretched the cloth between 2 trees.
My extra pair of hands free, for on both sides a 3 and 5 year old child during walks. The sleeping place, during many family visits where my little one found his safe place during all that was still unknown to him.
The retreat, after all the new, fun and also tiring impressions.... So far away, so unknown all, but so close. Everything my little one needed. Rightly the first thing that came to mind when I packed my suitcase. My sling. My sling. What else?
- Stephanie
