Life doesn't have to stop just because you became a parent!!

I remember in the latter stages of pregnancy receiving many comments from well wishing friends and family to the effect '...enjoy it whilst you can.. 'cos once the baby is here it will all change..' All of the comments had negative undertones.

Of course once you have a child

EVERYTHING changes.. but for the good! It is no longer you and your other half (or just you) to think of... your priorities change,  you experience a love you never thought possible, and being a parent is THE most rewarding job in the world! However, it does not mean that you have to stop doing things that you love and enjoy. My husband and I love to travel, dine out, watch movies, hiking and the outdoors and photography. Our son has done it all with us and he appears to love it too.

Travel

Our son James was born in the UK a week later my husband had to leave for the US to return to work.  When he was 8 weeks old James and I took a train journey from Newcastle to London to see friends and we had an appointment at the US embassy, he coped fantastically! He did cry for 10 mins out of a 3 hour journey and I was suprised by the disgusted looks from other passengers ... most of them parents too! I did not let it put me off. At 4 months old James and I flew from Newcastle to London and then London to Phoenix as we were emigrating to the US. The flights were much easier than I had imagined and James adjusted to life in the US extremely well.

We have also flown to Chicago and to North Carolina when James was 10 months old and again no problems at all with him. From my expreience the key to flying with a baby is to give them water or a milk feed on take off and landing to prevent the pressure in the ears, take a couple of their favourite toys, feed them solid foods just before boarding the plane (it is easier that way) and hold off on their nap if you can this way they are more likely to nap on the plane. On a long flight babies need a lot of water!! Due to the new security restrictions on liquids I have had two run-ins with airport security who at first were trying to prevent me taking pre-measured boiled water in bottles and water for James in a drinking cup. I stood my ground both times and was allowed through, the first time I had to taste every bottle to ensure it was water.

Walking

I had a C- section but as soon as I was able to strap a baby carrier to me I did. I walked James everywhere - daily! We are lucky enough to have a lot of Canyons and Mountains here in Arizona and we have walked in all of them. Whilst we have not yet been able to make the full 6 mile walk to the top, (James' comfort and needs come first) we are able to get out into the great outdoors and share the nature and wildlife with James.

Dining out and the movies

We eat out regularly and we have never had a problem taking James with us. We normally eat slightly earlier that we would when there was just the two of us, we always feed James before we leave home so he is settled. We found keeping James in his stroller and pushing it up to the table and taking a (not too noisy) toy keeps him happier than the high chairs provided by restaurants. We signed up for the Blockbuster on line moves which is great, however, we recently had our first cinema trip which was James was fine. Early on I discovered how to soothe James to sleep by gently rocking his stroller from side to side and this really helps when he is tired and fussy.

However, as James is still young it is relatively easy... things may change, but such is life! I think it is still important to be able to do things you enjoy and share these with your children.