Alone with a toddler abroad? Again!

It is interesting to write several posts about the aloneness experience. But with a toddler who needs your constant attention and support, that is something else.

What are the things to keep in mind when you need to travel abroad with your toddler for medical treatment? Of course you may think of a packing essentials checklist. But after packing which is the easy part, what else to keep in mind?

First I like to think of a daily routine that would keep myself and son entertained. For example in the morning after prayers and exercise, we go ahead with a quick shower, dressing up and a simple breakfast. Then we would go to the hospital to complete the check-ups there.

After that, we would go to a playground nearby if the weather allows and have some outdoor time. Later at lunch time, we go to a nearby restaurant to have the lunch meal. I like the kind of restaurant that have a kids play corner so that my kid would be happily entertained while I feed him his lunch.

Then we would go back to the hotel, pray and take our evening nap. Around 6 pm is the time we are fresh and hungry again. So here either have a quick snack and then go out or go out and find something to grab on the way and eat outdoor.

Interestingly when you are alone with your toddler abroad, it is not easy to stay indoors. The child has got nothing to do indoors except sleeping, changing and watching TV.

Second thing as well is the regular video calls with our loved ones. When you are abroad and alone, there are moments you miss home and family. So that is an important thing to remember.

Third, take every chance to interact with people we meet along the way like the hotel receptionist, the grocery cashier, the doctors and nurses and the taxi driver whether by spoken language, body language or maybe by using the translator. It is tricky to do that when you have a toddler who needs your attention most of the time. But it is also doable.

At the end, it is an experience of its kind. You get to know and learn about yourself more. There would be moments where you just don’t know what to do like frustration moments. There are also funny moments when you meet strangers along the way or when my son gets nervous in the taxi watching me put his stroller at the back storage area of the taxi car.

I like to treasure those moments and mention them either through talking or writing.