Advice for new moms: Don't be scared of traveling with babies!

Dress: Anthropologie: $129 (on sale)

My twin boys: Gabriel and Forrest

Hiking the Hidden Valley Trail

Hello Wonderers! It’s been a long time since I’ve written a piece because I wanted to make certain that my first article was particularly special. I gave birth in June to twin boys (they are 5 months old today!!) and it has taken me some time to adjust to my routine as a new mother. On top of feeding them every three hours and in between naps, I have finally found some time to write about my first big adventure with them away from home. Between Halloween, the pandemic, and the election, I needed to find some peace and solace. What a better place to go than the desert. As you know, before children, I was a big time globetrotter. Even during my pregnancy, I traveled to places anywhere from Myanmar to Alaska. Traveling with babies was something foreign to me. How was I going to travel with two babies? How will they do in the car ride? What do I have to bring? All of these questions arose in my mind and clouded it with anxiety. Despite my worries, my soul was destined for a new adventure. The desert this time of year is perfect because the weather is just right and many of the tourists are staying put. I put together a checklist that helped me tremendously in choosing what to bring for the boys. (Hint: A checklist is essential when traveling with babies). I didn’t realize how much stuff I had to bring, especially because we were going to be there for almost a full week. I knew our Airbnb had the luxuries of a washer and dryer so I didn’t have to overpack and go crazy with what to bring. I wanted to share this topic with you because many new mothers are afraid to travel with newborns or infants and I am here to tell you… YOU CAN DO IT! Now, don’t get me wrong, if you have a nanny or a friend helping you, you are lucky! That does not mean, however, that you can’t do it without a partner. I must say, taking care of twins on your own would be much more difficult and I praise the moms that can do it. I brought my husband and we were both able to enjoy the quiet of the outdoors while embracing the special moments with our boys. You can find my checklist below to help ensure you have a great time and not drive yourself mad with kids in tow.

Don’t panic :) Create a checklist!

The best way to stay organized when you are planning on a getaway with your little ones is to create a checklist for yourself to bring exactly what you need. Sure, you are going to forget items here and there but there’s nothing Amazon can’t ship these days to your doorstep. For example: We almost ran out of formula on our trip (yes, I’ve stopped breastfeeding!) and had Amazon ship a case directly to our Airbnb. We had to bring double of everything (bouncers, carriers, pack ‘n plays) but were still somehow able to fit everything in both cars since my husband and I drove separately.

Get that QT with yourself that you deserve!

One of the most exciting days of the trip was when I was able to hike with my best friend in Joshua Tree National Park while my husband stayed back with the boys. Mind you: I didn’t go on a full day hike but you can find a lot of exciting trails that only take an hour or less to complete. Then you can alternate days so that your husband can get his QT as well. It’s the best of both worlds and you can unwind and get lost in nature. The two best hikes in Joshua Tree that are short, sweet, and scenic include The Hidden Valley Trail and the Arch Rock Trail, which is best hiked at sunset.

Introducing the babies to new surroundings

It is of utmost importance that you expose your children to new and exciting adventures when they are little because you don’t want them to be scared when they get older. This has always been my motto as a new mom. Yes, I understand it is still a pandemic, but there are many trips you can go on where you can get away from droves of people. My best advice is to hit up the national parks. I am lucky that I live in a place that has tremendous access to parks like Joshua Tree but even if you don’t live near one, nature is always a great option for family trips.

Finding Romance (after the kids are asleep)

We simply cannot forget about our spouses, partners, marriages, or relationships when it comes to kids. I have always believed that it is vital to put your relationship first because it was there before the kids arrived. Our boys are too small to go on hikes but they still enjoyed the environment of being somewhere else. After the kids went to sleep (they sleep from 7pm to 7am if you can believe it) my husband and I romanced each other, cooked dinner, drank some vino, talked and sat by the fire. It was like we were newfound lovers all over again.

Joshua Tree National Park

At our Airbnb in Yucca Valley