I didn’t grow up traveling.
My name is Jennifer. Growing up, travel wasn’t a part of my life. Raised by my Vietnamese refugee mother, who worked many days from 6am in the morning to 10pm at night, my childhood was centered around her printing shop, watching dubbed videos (“phim tàu”) with my grandma, and playing video games and going to church with my sister and brother.
Then I studied abroad in Vietnam.
It wasn’t until college, when I embarked on a study abroad program in Vietnam, that I truly experienced the world beyond my familiar surroundings. From the bustling streets lined with motorbikes to the mouthwatering aroma of grilled meat on the sidewalks, I saw another way of living and another way of being. That changed everything for me. I wanted to see more. I wanted to explore.
I met Bryan, and we travelled.
Through a chance encounter on a dating app, I crossed paths with Bryan, a fitness fanatic and seasoned traveler, someone who had traveled even more than me. We started exploring the world together, traversing landscapes and cultures, and discovering the joy of shared adventures in Australia, Japan, and the Philippines.
Now, we travel with a baby and a toddler.
Then came our greatest journey yet – parenthood. Welcoming our children, Serena and Huntington, into the world transformed our lives in ways we never imagined. Serena, with her boundless energy and curiosity, and Huntington, our easygoing, chill little boy, added a new dimension to our travels.
Despite the challenges of juggling full-time careers – I as a software engineer at Atlassian and Bryan at Cherish Hospice – and the demands of parenting, we make it a priority to explore the world as a family whenever we can steal away some time, traveling as a fun-loving foursome.
Sure, traveling with a baby and a toddler isn’t always smooth sailing. We’ve weathered our fair share of tantrums, diaper blowouts, and hungry meltdowns. But amidst the chaos, we’ve woven countless unforgettable memories as we connect with our kids through novel experiences.
After many family trips, with no shortage of eye-rolling, hair-pulling, iPad-throwing adventures, I wanted to share how we manage family travel with a baby and a toddler to empower and inspire other parents. Yes, traveling with young children can be daunting, but I challenge you to embrace the adventure, even if that journey starts from the park across the street.