What kind of child is suitable to bring on a trip?

Why do I say that?

This is listed first because safety always comes first.

When it comes to road trips, especially those involving car seats, many kids are reluctant to use them, but this is where principles come in. Especially on highways, a car seat is non-negotiable — it's a must. Fortunately, Daqian is well-behaved and really enjoys his little "car throne." Just play his favorite songs, and he’ll bob his head along until he falls asleep, looping the tunes over and over.

This doesn’t mean strangers can just pick him up at will, but when he meets unfamiliar relatives or friends, he can just be himself — eating, playing, and sleeping as usual. He also loves showing off the little skills he’s learned, which lets us proud parents brag a bit =P

Yes, every child has their own comfort object. At home, Daqian is used to sleeping with “Mom’s blanket,” and I also play him the music from his little seahorse sleep aid. I used to worry whether he’d be uncomfortable without these two things while traveling. But after several trips, I found that as long as Mom is there, it feels like home. Plus, all the active playing during the day helps him sleep soundly through the night.

Well, except for the time he bumped his head and got it scraped = =

When you’re out and about, aside from sleeping, food is the next big thing. When traveling, it’s inevitable to eat out and try new foods you’ve never had before. Daqian isn’t allergic to anything, isn’t picky, and isn’t biased toward certain foods, so as his mom, I don’t have to worry about what he’ll eat while we’re away.

Of course, food safety and hygiene still need to be kept in check.

This is probably every child’s nature — “playing” is the most important thing in their lives. From something as small as a tissue, a snowflake block, or a few candies, to something bigger like a sofa, a watermelon, or a basket of red beans — he can entertain himself for ages. And I’ve noticed that kids treasure the “toys” they discover themselves even more than, say, a certain brand-name toy you might offer them = =

Just imagine, if I didn’t have a child, how would I have spent my National Day holiday?

Staying home binge-watching dramas and movies? Or going out traveling?

Actually, traveling with your child

and exploring the world together

can be a whole different kind of experience.

Taking him to see ducks in the river, rice fields, pheasants in the countryside, and carp in the pond for the very first time;

watching him use his little hands to shell wild red beans or pull sweet potatoes out of the ground

(Mom thought you were holding a string of mice = =... she was scared to death);

seeing him skin his knee but still being brave;

……

these are all things I could never experience on my own.

This is called “fo~cus~”~

Seeing how attached and connected he is to me — it’s an experience you just don’t get in a carefree single life.