Travelling During the Terrible Twos

So, you’re the parent of a two-year-old. You’re just emerging from that wonderful but challenging transitional period between your old, childless life - full of reckless abandon and that “sleep” thing you vaguely recall – into parenthood. You’re figuring it out – you’ve got a killer routine, your kid is developing in the coolest ways every day, you’re starting to find some balance between work, parenting and the other parts of your life – things are good. 

At this point you likely know that the terrible twos are a very real thing. Random, seemingly causeless tantrums; overt grasps at independence;  violent outbursts (both physical and emotional); signs of new, complex and sometimes devastating emotions like shame, rejection and embarrassment; and a plethora of other challenges that come at this stage. 

But you’re handling that. 

Likely, becoming a parent has put something of a cork on your opportunities to travel (unless you took advantage of that sweet spot between infancy and toddlerhood – but more on that for another post).  But you are feeling like, at this stage, taking your kid on one of your forgotten adventures just might be becoming possible. 

Well it is… and it isn’t.  Travel with kids is obviously very different from travelling solo, with a partner or with friend and family, but travelling with a two-year-old is a whole other kettle of hard. But it’s not impossible, and, indeed, can be full of fun, joy and memories. 

Here is what I learned on my first “real trip” with my two-and-a-half year old (and his one year old baby brother to boot). We rented a cottage in Honey Harbour, Ontario with a few members of our family for a week of outdoor fun. 

Wes the Mess. In all his two-year-old glory.

1. Pack your patience 

Try as you may, that perfect little routine you’ve created at home is getting broken. Bed and nap times will be flexed, boundaries will be unclear and you will likely be more permissive of certain things than you are at home. This is necessary for all the fun and exploration travel provides, but it also means trouble. The broken routine will amplify all the terrible twos have to offer. Your two-year-old’s brain will start to explode with possibilities and they will make every effort to explore them. They will be tired-er, hungrier, more distracted, less likely to listen, more willful, etc. Being ready for this will help you roll with the punches, and that leads to #2…

2. Go with the flow

Trying to over plan and keep a schedule will make your trip exceedingly difficult. All the new sights, sounds, experiences and emotions will make your two-year-old desperate to explore. The “big plans” you made might not interest them in the least, while the most mundane tasks will fascinate them; meaning they will want to do them over and over again. On my recent trip, Wes (my two point five year old), became fascinated by boats. All he wanted to do was walk the numerous docks and talk about the countless variety of boats in the harbor. I had to force myself over the tedium of it and look at it through his eyes. In the end, the hours he and I spent chatting about bloody boats (fast boats, big boats, fish boats, “sleeping” boats, little boats, tin can boats  etc. etc.) are a hilarious memory, and time well spent. And that brings us to point #3…

3. Think/be like a kid

It is so easy when travelling with kids to focus on the big things like meals, schedules, itineraries and the like. After all, you feel responsible for ensuring everyone has a good time. In order to survive, however, it helps to think like a kid, and often that means seeing the forest for the trees. You can do this by looking and listening just a little closer. Kids see amazing little details that adults, through conditioning, can miss. Wes was able to spend an amazing amount of time looking under the docks for frogs and fascinating over the ecosystems under there. When I started doing the same, it was amazing what I found, and the experiences we came to share. 

4. Bring a friend

Kids can keep other kids entertained in ways no adults can, which can be a sanity saver for the adults. That said, I’ve found that, at this age, the closer in age the kids are the better. This can be an awkward age for relationships. Two-year-olds don’t know the “rules of the playground” yet, and their still-limited communications skills can cause conflicts, particularly with older kids who find it difficult to understand why young kids behave the way they do. If you can’t travel with others who have children of similar age, encourage your child to befriend other children wherever you are hanging out.  

5. Pre-plan small tasks/activities

Thinking up some simple tasks your child can do during certain parts of your trip can help keep them engaged. Note, chances are your kid won’t engage in all the tasks you plan, so try and think up a few. At the beach on our vacay, Wes collected rocks and filled buckets of water, pouring them in a randomly selected spot on the sand (he came up with that last one on his own, but it kept him in rapture for at least 20 minutes, which meant a bit of relaxing time for mom and dad). 

6. Use extra time to relax

You’ll be tempted during rare periods of inactivity (when the kids are in bed, hanging out with relatives, etc.) to catch up on things or prepare for the next thing to come. It’s important to section some of this time off for relaxation. Try and grab bits and pieces of vacation for yourself. It is deserved. Feel no shame.

7. Dial back your expectations

When I started planning things to do during our week at the cottage I got very excited. It was, to me, an opportunity to expose Wes to a bunch of new things that I thought idyllic for dads and their sons to do together. These things included fishing, canoeing, boating, tubing, hiking, campfires, s’mores and countless others. The reality, however, was that while some of these things held some appeal, Wes' short attention span and general two-year-old-ness meant he simply wasn’t ready for a lot of these activities. Fishing rods splashed in the water and tears were shed over the very concept of going on an inflatable donut being towed behind a boat. When I dialed back my expectations, I was able to enjoy the act of trying these things, even if they were not embraced.

He did love the boat!

Plan ahead but don’t over plan. Have realistic expectations. Keep it simple. Those are the rules I’ll live by on my next trip. Any other tips on travelling with a two-year-old? Leave them in the comments.  

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Real Man Travels: 5 Tips for Family Road Trips

A post by Justin K

It’s pretty clear that the crew at RMT enjoys a good road trip. Being the road trip master, I can’t help but offer up a few tips for a successful road trip. A little background here: since relocating to Thunder Bay, my better half and I (along with the kids and dogs that have been added to the family), have road tripped the 1400+ kilometers back to Alliston, Ontario every year, usually twice. The fastest we’ve managed is 14 hours; the slowest, 18 hours with the average time usually clocking in between 15 and 16 hours. So without further delay here are my top five tips for a successful road trip:

Preface: Always make sure you’ve checked and double checked your vehicle, like a real man. Oil, tranny/brake/power steering fluids, coolant levels and tire pressures are a good place to start. Also check your brakes/tires for signs of wear. The last thing anybody needs is to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with a screaming family and broken down vehicle. And, for the love of God, make sure your jack, wheel wrench and spare tire (no not your beer belly) are all ready to go. Also, if you’re road tripping during the winter months like me, a good set of winter tires is essential.

Food/Snacks

If there’s one thing I’ve learned raising my kids it’s that a hungry child is an angry child. Keeping any toddler in a car seat for 15 hours is bound to make them angry at some point during the trip; keeping their favourite snacks in the car will go a long way to alleviate some of their frustrations. I’ve also found that snacking while driving helps keep you awake. Feeling a little tired? Whip out the Sour Patch Kids and munch away.

Olivia enjoying her chocolate chip cookie

Music/Entertainment

Portable DVD players, LeapFrog tablets and old cellphones loaded with games will become your best friend on a long haul road trip. These help keep the kids entertained and if your kids are anything like mine, a good movie on the DVD player can help lull them to sleep. Also, bring headphones for the kids. I don’t know about you, but I’ve hit my Dora the Explorer threshold. If I have to listen to the “I speak Spanish and English too” song one more time, bad things will happen. Which brings me to music. With headphones firmly inserted into your kidlets ears, feel free to pop in/connect your favourite music. If you’re road tripping with other people, don’t be selfish, share the radio. I find that compilation albums work best if you’re still rocking the CD player, or shuffle on a phone/MP3 player if you can. I find that mixing it up helps to keep it fresh. Multiple genres too.

 Gavin napping after wearing himself out with his LeapPad

Stops/Breaks

Have a good idea of your vehicle's fuel range to gauge when you’ll need to fuel up. Use these opportunities to hit the bathrooms and grab a coffee. You’ll likely need to stop more often than your vehicle does, especially if you’re travelling with small children. Limit the amount of water/juice the kids drink to ensure you’re not stopping every 30 minutes. Often times it will be long stretches between bathrooms so, unless your little guy is cool with doing his biz outdoors, plan accordingly. Also, make sure that if you ever get drowsy on the road, pull over, switch drivers (if you can) or do some exercises on the side of the road, seriously. It helps wake you up and keeps you, your family and everybody else on the road safe. Energy drinks can be your friend when doing long trips.

Pack Light

Check out Ed’s packing post for some tips/tricks on packing light. Bring what you need, leave what you don’t. It really is that simple. That said, the more people you bring, the more stuff you’ll have. Travelling with two kids and two dogs (and golf clubs of course) typically results in a packed minivan. Not to mention all the stuff that your family sends you back with.

Layla, our eight week old Rottie, dans un laundry basket

Timing

Have a good idea of how long it will take you to get where you’re going as well as the stops along the way. If I know that my road trip is going to take 15-16 hours, I like to leave early in the morning so that I get to my destination at a reasonable hour. I hate getting to my destination at 10 p.m.. After being in the car all day, everybody’s tired and cranky, and to be very honest, I just like to get where I’m going so I can get out of the car, relax and crack a beer.

Do you have any tips/tricks for successful road trips? Scribe them in the comments section below! We always love to hear from our readers!

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Spend Light, Travel Big: Germany and Czech Republic

 

a post by Alison Preiss

A European vacation has been on my wish list for a while. So last summer when my brother did an oversea’s study program in Germany, I jumped at the chance to tour around with him at the end of his stay. In 10 days and nine nights we saw over 2,000 kilometres of Germany and the Czech Republic, with stops in Frankfurt, Berlin, Prague, Stuttgart, and Freiburg. And we managed to do it for a reasonable price: Including flight, hotel, some nice meals and some VERY light shopping, the trip cost me less than $3,000. I left with some great memories shared with my brother, and didn’t go into debt doing it. Here’s how we pulled it off:

Das Brother

Getting around

Trains: We wanted to see as many cities as possible during my 10 day visit, while still allowing for some flexibility. We opted for a Eurail regional pass that was good throughout Germany and the Czech Republic. We bought two 2nd class super saver passes for about $350 Canadian each and allowed for 5 days of unlimited travel anywhere in these two countries. This got us easily to big cities, and also allowed us to a take ‘just cause’scenic ride up into the heart of the Black Forest and back (yes we bought cake).

Local Transit: Most of the local transit systems (light rail, tram and trains) we encountered were self serve (you buy your own ticket, there are no ticket collectors but there are occasional spot checks). I’d recommend just buying 24 hour passes, it was easier to manage since not all of the machines were easy to navigate in English.

Eating

Breakfast: We either scammed the complimentary breakfast at the hotel, or we picked up pastries the night before.

Lunch: Opt for street food. This is a cheap way to experience great food, and some local flavours. In Frankfurt we had fish donair from a food boat (!), Berlin was all about Currywurst (french frys with curry, sausage, ketchup and mayo - believe me it WORKS), and in Prague my go-to street food fried cheese sandwiches. There were good grab-and-go desserts aswell: We found really good, creamy ice cream in most german cities for about 1 euro. In Prague they wrapped leavened dough around a wooden spit, dipped it in sugar and then baked it over an open flame.

Dinner: Dinner was where we splurged a little, or really planned out where we were going to eat. Things you should eat in Germany: Spaetzle, handkase, schnitzel, flammkuchen, beer cheese, apfelwein, and every different kind of sausage you come across.

Biergartens: I loved biergartens, and I don’t even really like beer. Imagine a really beautiful park, filled with long picnic tables and shaded by big sprawling trees. There are little play areas for kids, dogs are welcome, and if you want a cold beer and a sausage, you just head up to a cute little hut and order one. It’s seemed like the sort of place where you just run into your old friends of favourite neighbours. Seriously, it makes me really angry to think about our uppity liquor laws here in Canada. Try taking your dog into a patio in Toronto, let alone finding a place where kids can play while adults imbibe.

Biergarten food

In these glorious places, the food was cheap and delicious, and I discovered a beer that is suitable for my sweet-tooth palate - Radler (beer mixed with 7-up). We hit up Prater Garten in Berlin [http://www.pratergarten.de/e/index.php], and Augustiner Keller in Munich [http://www.augustinerkeller.de/en.htm].

Sleeping

Hotels: At first I liked the idea of not booking anything and then just seeing where we wanted to go, but when you only have 10 days, we decided it would be better to have a plan. To allow for some flexibility, we booked hotels for the first 6 days, and then left some flexibility open for the last three. After doing some comparisons on hostels, versus AirBnB, I actually found the best deals were hotels booked through Priceline. If you don’t know Priceline, it basically lets you bid for hotel rooms, you get a geographical area and a star rating, but once your bid is accepted, you’re locked in. We used the express deals functionality and got decent hotels for between $40-$70 a night. The app made it really easy to book places on the spur of the moment, and they kept sending me 10% off coupons with every room I booked. A word of warning, the Priceline star rating doesn’t hold up as well in Europe. After two nights in a Prague three-star, I insisted on a four-star in Germany complete with an indoor pool.

Couchsurfing: Okay, so my brother kind of tricked me into my first Couchsurfing stay. He had visited Freiburg earlier in his trip and fell in love with it. Freiburg is close to the French border and right on the edge of the Black Forest, and basically looks like a village out of a fairytale. He arranged a Couchsurfing stay with a friend of the person he originally surfed with. He told me we were staying with a friend of a friend. This was technically true.

The best part of Couchsurfing is that you truly get to experience local culture (have you seen a complete stranger kick a one-night-stand out of his house in another language? I have). The downside is that you don’t really get your own space and you have to adapt to your host’s schedule. It gave my brother the university style party he was craving, and I am not above sleeping on a mattress on the floor (which I did, going to bed hours before everyone else).

Doing Stuff

Tours: I have mixed feelings on tours: On one hand they can be cheesy and something deep inside me really hates proffering that I’m a tourist. BUT when you are only in a city for a day or two, tours are a really good way to see the basics and orient yourself with a new city. In Berlin we took a bus tour (Sample dialogue: “This is a vacant lot, I think this is a very beautiful site because the building that used to be here was ugly”). In Prague we took a ‘tip tour,’basically you go around with a guide on foot for a few hours, and then you pay what you can. We chose a nice lady named Jana and we wound up being the only people on her tour that afternoon. She showed us the sites and explained some of the major historical events. On any Prague tour you’re probably going to hear a lot about Kafka and bridges.

Fun in the Streets: Some of the best events we attended were the cheapest. In Stuttgart we attended a street festival called Sommerfest. We were wandering through old town in Prague when we came across a street performer’s show. ChickenJoe contorted his body, laid down on broken glass and did all sort of other entertaining things. At the end he asked us to chip in the cost of a beer.

Explore: Most nights, we would just wander. It’s perfectly legal to drink in public, so we would grab a beer at a bodega and then just walk and talk, following the streets that seemed interesting, We found beautiful little parks, old churches, and had some great conversations along the way.

Travel Tips

Starbucks: I didn’t buy an international phone plan, and my european SIM card was pretty flaky, but Starbucks always offered free wifi, clean bathrooms and familiar coffee. I tried to drag my brother into one once a day to check my email and grab a coffee. Finding free hotel wifi was hit or miss.

Bathrooms: Be prepared to pay to pee, most public washrooms cost about 1 euro, but the upside is that they are convenient and clean. At the Berlin Aquarium you can pay an attendant 50 cents and she will disinfect the toilet seat in front of you. I daydream about this service at most public washrooms I encounter in North America.

Highlights:

Frankfurt, Germany

Frankfurt:

Movenpick Hotel Frankfurt City:

http://www.moevenpick-hotels.com/en/europe/germany/frankfurt/hotel-frankfurt-city/overview/

Palmengarten - Botanical garden

http://www.palmengarten.de/#/de_DE/index/index

Berlin

KaDeWe Department Store - Go to the grocery floors!

http://www.kadewe.de

Berlin Aquarium - Perfect for a rainy day

http://www.aquarium-berlin.de

Burgermeister - Grab a burger then head down to walk along the Spree and the remainders of the Berlin Wall.

http://www.burger-meister.de

Topography of Terror - documentation centre on the Nazi party

http://www.topographie.de/en/

Prague

Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock

http://www.praguewelcome.cz/en/visit/monuments/top-monuments/58-old-town-hall-with-the-astronomical-clock.shtml

Rent a paddle boat

http://www.prague.net/blog/article/20/rent-a-paddle-boat-on-the-vltava-river

Freiburg

The whole city is just wonderful

http://www.freiburg.de/pb/,Len/225797.html

Packing - with all this travelling I wanted to pack light. Read more about how I fit 10 days into one backpack on scribbled-down.com

Alison Priess

About Alison:  Alison is a former reality TV personality, craft wizard, foodie, and long time friend of the guys over at Real Man Travels, because lets face it, every group needs a sassy red head. Alison also a has her own blog www.scribbled-down.com where she writes about crafting, eating, and living. You should check it out!

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Where Do You Want To Go?

Where Do You Want To Go?

That is something I often ask myself. I have day and night dreams about all the places I want to go. I can smell the ocean breeze, feel the sand and hear the waves. I know that my dreams are not the same as the dreams of others. Some people aspire to much different things, but still have a dream of going somewhere, someday. That is why one of my favourite questions to ask people is: "Where do you want to go?". There are two common ways people answer: a quick, decisive pronouncement; or a long, drawn-out bucket list.

No matter how people answer, the answers are always fascinating - as is the seemingly innate desire most seem to have to see and experience this magnificent world in which we live.

Over the past year people have started asking me this and other questions. "Where are you off to next?" "Any travel plans coming up?". So for those fine people who care, here is what I hope to do this year:
the summer will be full of camping. Several trips, both planned and impromptu, will be spent with family. I'll also be doing the requisite outdoor adventures with friends which will surely include as much fishing as possible. Then, in the mid-fall, I will be taking off to check out Europe - exploring Rome, Italy and Athens, Greece.

Trevi Fountain Rome, Italy - Photo From Travelling Editor

Athens, Greece

So now you know. And now it's your turn. I want to know where you want to go. Would it be tasting fresh bread in Paris and taking a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower? Or will that selfie be at the top of Empire State Building in New York City with a slice of pizza in hand? Perhaps your plans don't include selfies. Perhaps it's just the sound of the ocean that you are after? Or a drive down the winding scenic roads of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way? Maybe free drinks and cute cabana boys? Please, leave a comment below letting us know where you plan to go, or just where you want to go in the coming months. We really want to know.

Insert Selfie Here

Or Here

Here at Real Man Travels, we want to share our travel experiences and share in yours. After all, it's a great big world full of endless opportunities.

Chris

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2013 - Real Man Travels Year In Review

2013 was a roller coaster ride of a year, Its was a successful year and I have my friends to thank for it. I look forward to 2014 and I hope the year treats you well. I leave you with an Irish Cheers Sláinte!!

Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario: This Photo was taken on our way to the St. Mary's rapids to try our luck and new found skills at Fly Fishing. This was a great adventure that introduced me to some great people. Thanks Again to Soo North Fly Shop.

Bushplane Museum- Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario: This is my top mate Dylan in a small coin operated space shuttle. For those of you who do not know him, Dylan is 6'3. So you can Imagine how funny this would be in real life. 

Elmavale Zoo, Ontario Canada: This was at a school trip with my daughter's class and I will tell you that Giraffe tongues gross me out. However my daughter was not so squeamish as the Giraffe licked the food clean off her palm.

Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario Canada: I was lucky enough to be hosted by Parks Canada for a couple of days. We stayed in a Yurt which is an excellent way to camp. This photo was taken at Indian Head Cove right next to the grotto. 

Grundy Lake Provincial Park, Ontario Canada: The final shot of our homemade "Man Of The Year" competition where we compete in various outdoor events such as Fishing, Washer Toss and the Xtreme Challenge! 

 Brampton, Ontario Canada: This year we experienced Tree Top Trekking. It turned out to be quite the test of the mind and body. I remember feeling so proud of our group not one of us lost our balance and fell off during the whole course. This is not easy by any means.

Canadian Space and Aviation Museum - Ottawa, Ontario Canada: This past summer the kids and I took a road trip to Ottawa. When I look at this picture, it scares me a little. It actually looks like they know what they are doing...

Bon Echo Provincial Park Ontario, Canada: After hiking to the top of the cliffs, My hetero life mate Mike and I boarded the Mugwump Ferry and I captured this photo on our way back to the mainland. It was one of the best weather days of the year.

Dublin, Ireland: I went for a few walks in Dublin one was to the Temple Bar to drink beer and the other was an early morning stroll to St.Patrick's Cathedral.

Strandhill Beach, Sligo Ireland:  We were on our way for dinner and when we arrived this was the scene as 20 Travel Bloggers unloaded out of the bus and started taking pictures. The weather gods were smiling down on us the entire trip.

Streedagh Strand Sligo, Ireland: This photo was taken along a guided hike with SEATRAILS our guide was Auriel Robinson who is a Marine Archaeologist, While showing us amazing fossils along the shores, She told us many interesting stories of the unforgiving coastline.

Glenevin Waterfall, Ballyliffin Co. Donegal Ireland: This small but very picturesque waterfall can be found along a small pathway with sheep wandering free a few tiny bridges cross the stream along the way. We followed up this brisk fall walk with a stop at Nancy's Barn which we were served hot soup and coffee and delicious home-made treats.

Malin Head Donegal, Ireland: This was on a small hike at the most northern coastline of Ireland. Besides the swimming seals and breathtaking views of coastline, the wind also tried to take our breath away on many occasions.

Farren's Bar- Donegal, Ireland: This personalized pint was served up to us just after our hike at Malin Head at the end of our Ireland press trip. The location was Farren's Bar it is Ireland's most northerly pub I enjoyed unwinding with 20 new friends at the end of an amazing journey as we all posted our beer photos on instagram.

TCF Bank Stadium - Minneapolis, Minnesota: This photo was taken as a gag to re create an old Three Stooges photo. The representative of the Gophers stood there shaking his head like "you have got to be kidding me, are these guys for real?" But he took the picture and we love him for that.

Target Field - Minneapolis, Minnesota: The host of the 2014 MLB All Star game, The Twins have it all in this stadium. The tour of the stadium is one of the top rated tours in sports on ESPN.com. We were allowed to take a "special" tour and this is the view from the home dugout. Minneapolis is a great sports city.

TCF Bank Stadium - Minneapolis, Minnesota: Gopher Game Day, we were given 3 media passes to a Big Ten College football game so we showed up early to watch the players warm up and we were awarded with this photo. Yes I was laying on my stomach for this one.

Algonquin Provincial Park - Ontario, Canada: The girls and I took a fun little road trip to this picturesque little spot along the way we seen our very first Moose! When we reached this campground the sun was just setting over the lake as I started getting our supper ready on a camping stove on the tailgate of my truck.

Drysdale's Tree Farm - Utopia, Ontario: This was my last adventure of 2013, and one of my favorite because, it really shows off how happy I am making memories with my family.

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The Canadian Space and Aviation Museum

The Canadian Space and Aviation Museum

“When I was eight years old to be a spaceman was the most exciting thing I could imagine.” - Roberta Bondar

I have a dream! And it is a very important one. I want my daughters to be the best they can be in life. I am sure you have similar hopes and dreams for your child/children.

My plan this past summer was to try and inspire my children to be leaders by taking them to a city that is full of leaders,our nations capital Ottawa.

You maybe wondering why I chose The Canadian Space and Aviation Museum as a place of inspiration for my daughters. Well the museum is host to many exhibits, but my favorite part was dedicated to Great Canadian Astronauts like Roberta Bondar, The first Canadian Woman in space, and Col. Chris Hadfield who just this past year was the Commander of the International Space Station. You can pretend to be an astronaut by playing a giant version of Chris Hadfield's guitar or by sitting on a space toilet.

With amazing planes of all shapes and sizes, and craft workshops to keep the kids happy. Strolling through the museum is a fun way to to teach your kids about the history of aviation and space travel. 

Another bonus that I was not expecting, was the nice playground they had just beside the parking lot, its a great way to burn off any left over energy.

Check out Ottawa Tourism's Website for more info.

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