A baby and a toddler, dog-tired parents, ten days marathon of taming rascals to behave, and a level of patience to survive the latter all unscathed… these are our reality as parents wanting a bit of “holiday” and have a happy, quality family time. Sure it doesn’t come easy but it is certainly worth the memories!
Mind you, it is possible to enjoy your holiday with a baby and a toddler with just you and your husband to manage it all. Just pack with you a ginormous amount of patience. If you have a nanny to go with you on travels, I envy you! Some days will be good, some/more days will be bad, and that’s okay. Here are some pointers we have learned to work and not work with our boys that may help you avoid the embarassment and the side-eyes in public:
- Pack your kids’ favorite toys and add up some new ones to excite them and can really take their time -e.g. stickers, color/art books, pens and crayons, legos. Giving them their own backpack is a good idea too. If screen-time is ok for you too then go ahead for variety.
- Go on hop-on-hop-off bus tour and/or guided trips with transport for easier navigation. It saves you time and the hustle of hailing a cab or going about the metro with two frisky boys.
- Not all restaurants have baby chairs, especially the old and local hangouts. So if you want to be able to eat in peace with your little bambino minding his own food, ask the restaurant first if they have one before booking or entering.
- Greek food is fresh and healthy, salads and grilled meats are the usual servings. If your LO is a picky-eater, better pack his/her food to avoid some evil tantrums. Otherwise, breads (with variety of dips), greek pizza, and pastas are usually available in the menu.
- Strollers may not be a good idea in Athens if you are doing a HOHO bus tour and when you plan to climb up the Acropolis. Santorini will have some flat roads and pavements to walk around mostly but if you will be going in the overlooking neighborhoods to the sea and the Oia sunset, steep stairs and curves will pose a challenge. Better have a baby sling or wrap carrier and maybe some energy bars to sustain the calorie burn (but your hubby will gladly do it as his lil gym-time).
- Be sure your LO’s are well dressed for the weather. We came in late March and it was still chilly and extra windy in Santorini. It can be sunny and hot in Athens until midday then breezy at night. So don’t forget to pack in some jumpers or sweaters to keep warm.
- Fly from Athens to Santorini, because 1hr is much better than 5 to 8hrs of travel by ferry managing two little rascals. If you have to take the latter, then I suggest you take the trip at night where they will mostly sleep and be quiet.
- Book a hotel which has its own restaurant for convenience and friendlier atmosphere. We loved our stay in Rocabella Santorini, especially their restaurant team. Our boys were spoiled and they sometimes entertain the kids too. It’s something you really appreciate when you know eating out can almost always spell disaster with two frisky little children.
- Trips and snacks go together for your LO’s so don’t forget his/her fave crackers or so. If s/he is still on the milk routine, then don’t forget to pack the bottle and formula, depending on how much time you’d spend out be sure you have enough and extra of your thermo kept water. For breastfeeding mommies, it may be easier as we don’t need to pack anything else except some cloth cover or shawl.
- Lastly, expect that sometimes things will go out of plan and that is part of the experience travelling as a family with youngsters. At this time and with their age, they may be controlling the time for you – nap time, feeding time, sleep time, etc. – and that could sometimes limit you or cut your plans short. That’s okay, just be sure to take loads of photos as all these moments will be beautiful to remember when times are already different. Enjoy all of it as a parent.
Bonne chance to you, mama and papa, keep strong and always have fun! Xx
Bisous, Laurice
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