By REBECCA SPARROW
Next time I suggest traveling alone on a plane with two children under the age of four, I hope someone tenderly takes my arm, murmurs soothing words in my ear and gently leads me to an ambulance. Because if I ever agree again to be in charge of two children on a flight it means that I’m incredibly ill. Or drunk.
And so it was that last week I flew in the face of sanity and yet again boarded a flight with Ava (3 yo) and Fin (8 months). Walking down the aisle of the plane, looking for our seats – with Fin in the Baby Bjorn and Ava behaving oh, not unlike Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man – the other passengers tried hard not to make eye contact with us. A bit like frightened hostages. Bless.
So how did it go? Put it this way, Fin spewed and Ava spent the first 30 minutes with her hands over her ears yelling out, “I DON’T LIKE THE BUMPING! STOP THE BUMPING!’
Meanwhile I sat there praying the flight attendant understood morse code. One blink means I want a double vodka. Two blinks means … well, I still want a double vodka.
We survived, of course. Thanks to a few old-fashioned games and a sing-along.
Just joking.
I handed Ava the iPad and closed my eyes while Fin stuck his fingers up my nose for 52 minutes.
Are we there yet?
Thankfully the holiday was utter bliss. I traveled to Northern NSW to stay with my parents. As soon as I walk in the door of their house, I exhale. It’s one of my happy places where my spirit uncoils. Better still, I had the chance to spend time near the ocean. Drinking tea with my mum. Reading a tantalising book. Talking politics with my dad.
Browsing through boutiques ALONE. And – best of all — having long hours sitting around with Mia (who was also on holidays in Byron – I flew up for her birthday so we could have some much-needed time together) when I went to visit her down the road. Is there anything better than hanging out with a girlfriend just lazing around on couches while you parent your toddlers in tandem and pass each other articles in Vanity Fair to read?
I don’t think there is. And it was enough to psych me up for the flight back home!
So that’s my week. Here’s what’s been going on around Mamamia HQ …
Top Comments
This is the one where we get to talk about anything right? I want to talk about anyone whose partner has to travel for work? My boyfriend is currently overseas for work, he left a week ago and I have a week to go – we have been together for about 9 months and live together – I lived on my own for 5 years before that – but I am just not coping well with his being away. I get upset about it at some point every day and am just so unmotivated to do anything. I work for myself and yesterday I spent the entire day in bed. I think I am being silly and I can’t understand why I’ve turned into such a crazy lady while he is away – anyone else whose partner goes away for work feel like this? Does it get easier?
Hi there Sarah, easy answer is yes! and no. i've been with my partner for 3 years now, he is generally away more often than he is home. he's not a FIFO worker, his shifts are not regular or scheduled, so we never know when he'll be going away next. the shortest he's been away is under a week, the longest is 3 months. The first few trips were the worst, when I missed him constantly and was basically miserable the whole time. Now, I know that I'm usually ok for the first week, the second week I start to get a bit irritable and by the third week I'm struggling. During this time i make sure that I'm sitting around at home as little as possible. Go to the gym, catch up with friends, see your family - keep busy. Schedule specific times so that people are holding you accountable (..to give some motivation). It makes the time a whole lot easier. And eventually it wont be so hard when he goes away. Apologies for the long response, these are just my experiences, but i hope they might be helpful for you. just think about how lovely it will be to see him again :) take care x
@Bec, Sydney to Byron with two kids - easy peasy :) Try single handed Manchester to Sydney with a 2 year old and 3 year old. My kids are now 22 and 23 and I still haven't recovered!! Not that it's a competition, but do I win???
Have a good weekend y'all