During the holiday period, I often think back to a few summers ago, when I didn't have children yet and I eagerly took advantage of the summer holidays to see as much of the world as possible. Before I got into a relationship with my boyfriend (who is now my husband 😉 ), I made a number of very special (volunteer) trips to Jamaica, Malawi, Ukraine and the Dominican Republic. My wanderlust was unprecedented and my hunger almost unsatisfactory!
I also managed a travel blog for a long time, so I was invited for press trips and sponsored trips to, among others, the Israeli Eilat, the Spanish La Coruna and Barcelona, Berlin and closer to home:my own Friesland. Fortunately, my husband is also fond of travelling, so when I started a relationship with him, we went camping together in Zeeland. We made a road trip through Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland. We went to Bruges for a weekend and celebrated our honeymoon on Ameland. Our motto? You can still sit at home later, we are now following our wanderlust!
We have now arrived at 'later'. At least, a few years later. Our wanderlust is still there, although we are adapting perfectly to the situation in which backpacking and road tripping are no longer so desirable. With a daughter of just one year old, camping is still fantastic, but with a little more luxury. At least for us. We are now going for the campsites with swimming pools and animation teams. And the only real preparation I focus on is the long car trip with my toddler 😉 .
Do I miss traveling from the past, where we only traveled with a tent, pegs and a two-burner gas stove? When I look at old photos I sometimes think 'yes'. But if I think for a second about three weeks without our girl, my heart immediately says 'NO!'. I can't even think of going on vacation without her. I can't even bring her to stay overnight.
My needs as a traveler have changed since I became a mother. I think that's totally fine. Of course I do have wishes for the future. I would love to go to Botswana one day for a safari. In addition, I really want to go back to Poland, because that country has stolen my heart a little bit. Going back to Jamaica and the site of the volunteer project through which I met my husband is also on my bucket list. But it's fine if all that happens "later." For now I am really looking forward to looking for child-friendly campsites in the coming years and to enjoy the fact that our girl is having such a good time.
Do you recognize this story about the wanderlust of the past and the adapted vacations since you became a mother, or do you still follow your own path and take your child(ren) with you? I'm curious how it goes for you!
