All About Travelling Pregnant Or With Kids

[Busymom]

wildboys:

I remembered once when we travelled while DS was still a very young toddler. We packed ready-made meals (like the pigeon ones) for him. Alas he didn't like ANY of them!!! It was his first time trying that, he usually had homecooked meals at home. Then I realised he didn't like any ready-made baby meals at all! So we wasted all the money buying so many there. We forgot to \"trial\" at home first. So do remember to trial with your child before the trip if he/she usually only eat homemade meals...

Yes, you are right, do check if your child is ok with the taste. Also, some flavours taste better than others. We let DD taste those food before we brought her to Japan.

[schellen]

smurf:

OT:


I dun think Japan very good for children leh. at least not Tokyo. no doubt a lot of baby changing room and nursery, and it's clean and child friendly and it's very safe for children. but it's super crowded! :shock:

You'll notice that you hardly see young kids and old folks on trains except for school-going kids. This is cos it's inconvenient to go up and down stairs for these people and the rushed and confusing schedule is difficult to keep up with when you're not very fast and mobile.

In Japan city areas, mothers with young kids and old folks prefer to travel by bus. No need to climb up and down stairs, no need to squeeze during off-peak hours (most mothers in Japan are SAHMs) and the scenery can distract young kids. Notice that Jap-made prams/strollers are rather light-weight and compact when folded? In the suburbs, most will have access to cars.

[smurf]

Hi Schellen,


yup, we were :? when we hardly see any children around when we took trains. we didn't know how to take bus and not sure if it is convenient, o we just took train throughout. but on the last day of the trip, we saw quite a number of children on train.

you mean many japanese mums are not working??

[schellen]

smurf:

Hi Schellen,


yup, we were :? when we hardly see any children around when we took trains. we didn't know how to take bus and not sure if it is convenient, o we just took train throughout. but on the last day of the trip, we saw quite a number of children on train.

you mean many japanese mums are not working??

We try to travel via trains during off-peak hours in Tokyo. In Kyoto, the buses are more accessible, and we went during tourist season so everywhere was crowded anyway.

Yes, Japanese women usually quit when they get married or get pregnant. Those who work usually are self-employed (family biz, etc) or have flexi or part-time hours. The men are the breadwinners and if their wives have to work instead of taking care of the kids, it is considered \"shameful\", as if the fathers cannot earn enough to support their families. If the mothers work, the other mothers in the neighbourhood (in Japan, community is very strong) will gossip and imply that the working mother is a bad mother. After their kids reach senior high or uni stage, then, these mothers may work part-time in small stores/shops, family restaurants, supermarkets,. etc. The work is usually basic and easily replaceable but many mothers take them up to kill time, socialise and earn some pocket money. Of course, these jobs are very easily available, and such employers usually advertise for students and housewives to fill these posts.

However, lately, a lot of women are more career-minded so they may still use daycare centres or not get married or not have children even when married.

[corneyAmber]

smurf:

I know some would just ask you to pour away the water. regardless of reason. very mean right? but that is to protect other passengers.

Actually this is a serious airport security ruling they should not make any exceptions. It is not about being mean but they are executing their job for the good of all, it is a discipline. A few times we forgot and loaded the water bottle but never failed to be asked to pour away because it exceeded the required limit. I would pour away willingly because I understood the implication and if there were any emergency to have water, I would keep some as they allowed some minimum amount. So if you want, you can carry a small quantity like 20ml or 30ml?? If need more then ask for the water on the flight.

[smurf]

schellen:

smurf:

Hi Schellen,


yup, we were :? when we hardly see any children around when we took trains. we didn't know how to take bus and not sure if it is convenient, o we just took train throughout. but on the last day of the trip, we saw quite a number of children on train.

you mean many japanese mums are not working??

We try to travel via trains during off-peak hours in Tokyo. In Kyoto, the buses are more accessible, and we went during tourist season so everywhere was crowded anyway.

Yes, Japanese women usually quit when they get married or get pregnant. Those who work usually are self-employed (family biz, etc) or have flexi or part-time hours. The men are the breadwinners and if their wives have to work instead of taking care of the kids, it is considered \"shameful\", as if the fathers cannot earn enough to support their families. If the mothers work, the other mothers in the neighbourhood (in Japan, community is very strong) will gossip and imply that the working mother is a bad mother. After their kids reach senior high or uni stage, then, these mothers may work part-time in small stores/shops, family restaurants, supermarkets,. etc. The work is usually basic and easily replaceable but many mothers take them up to kill time, socialise and earn some pocket money. Of course, these jobs are very easily available, and such employers usually advertise for students and housewives to fill these posts.

However, lately, a lot of women are more career-minded so they may still use daycare centres or not get married or not have children even when married.

I see. I thought only in the olden days then the mothers would quit to look after theird kids, dunno that there are still jap mothers doing that now.

[Busymom]

ks2me:

smurf:

I know some would just ask you to pour away the water. regardless of reason. very mean right? but that is to protect other passengers.

Actually this is a serious airport security ruling they should not make any exceptions. It is not about being mean but they are executing their job for the good of all, it is a discipline. A few times we forgot and loaded the water bottle but never failed to be asked to pour away because it exceeded the required limit. I would pour away willingly because I understood the implication and if there were any emergency to have water, I would keep some as they allowed some minimum amount. So if you want, you can carry a small quantity like 20ml or 30ml?? If need more then ask for the water on the flight.

I can't remember if there is an exact cut-off age, but for infants, the airport security in some places (and I would think most) allow parents to bring water onto the plane if they have an accompanying infant or young child.

[corneyAmber]

Busymom:

I can't remember if there is an exact cut-off age, but for infants, the airport security in some places (and I would think most) allow parents to bring water onto the plane if they have an accompanying infant or young child.

Oh great!!...Maybe we can list such airports here to help parents with infants? Unfortunately my child is no longer infant so I have no such encounters to share.

[smurf]

DS2 just turned 2, and obviously he hasn't grow any bigger. do you think airfare is going STRICTLY by age? can they close 1 eye?

[phankao]

smurf:

DS2 just turned 2, and obviously he hasn't grow any bigger. do you think airfare is going STRICTLY by age? can they close 1 eye?

Definitely by age, not by size. And at 2, they can officially have a seat, so why not? You like carrying your child on your lap all the time?