A full-time office gal with reports to file, mortgage and bills to pay, and a kid to raise, Cotz sounds like your average working mom.
But when the clock strikes 6 and school is over, she transitions to her inner wanderlust, taking the road less traveled – from her hometown in Bicol to the fringes of Southeast Asia – spelunking, climbing mountains, and exploring pockets of beaches with her son Teloyskie and occasionally, with her OFW hubby too.
But when the clock strikes 6 and school is over, she transitions to her inner wanderlust, taking the road less traveled – from her hometown in Bicol to the fringes of Southeast Asia – spelunking, climbing mountains, and exploring pockets of beaches with her son Teloyskie and occasionally, with her OFW hubby too.
Today, Cotz talks to us about how to fund travels despite an average pay and mounting bills, passing on the travelbug to your kids and the positive influence of doing so.
How did the whole concept of the blog came into fruition?
I started blogging eight years ago because I like writing. It became an online journal of sorts where I get to share parenting/mommy moments with my son. Eventually, it evolved and became our family’s online misadventure’s journal.
Who constructs the itinerary for the day? Is there an itinerary to begin with, or do you simply go with gut feel?
I always do our itinerary, though Baba also gives wonderful inputs when he’s around while we’re planning. Teloyskie has also started taking interest in our travel details and gives us some noteworthy suggestions.
Some major travels are planned long way ahead with considerations for exam schedules or school/office activities that may be affected. During summer months, we get to go exploring nearby places on a whim.
Do you allow your kid to explore outdoor activities (e.g. hiking, spelunking)?
Teloyskie is a very active kid. He loves the outdoor and would give up birthday parties or marvel nights for a beach camp or a trek around a lake. He must also get that from me, seeing photos of my younger, more carefree and adventuring self – he wants to do things that mom did – climb mountains, surf, cave and more.
What’s that one thing you can’t leave home without when packing with kids?
At 8, Teloyskie knows how to pack already. He can’t leave home for a trip without a matchbox car, wet wipes, his mobile phone + headset (for music) and some snacks.
Name a favorite place you and your family will never tire of visiting.
We don’t have a favorite place per se, but places with beautiful beaches are always on the top of our list.
How do you fund your travels? What tip can you give moms who plan on long-term traveling, finance-wise?
Unlike most travelling Pinay moms, I have regular office job and my son is already in Grade 3. School and work make travels/trips a luxury for us so they are usually spaced and far apart with lots of planning, budgeting and itinerary preparations. We study/work and save and then we plan and travel.
For moms, whether on long term travel or otherwise, we should always learn to prioritize when budgeting. For me now, there’s mortgage, tuition, educ plans, household and utilities and all that. But we never forget to allot a “travel fund” which we draw up from our salaries and sidelines.
As a traveling parent, what challenges does having a kid on board travels bear on you as a parent?
When Teloyskie was still little, he’s still free when it comes to bus or boat fares. The challenge for us now is financial, really, sometimes its kinda hard to draw up a couple more thousands for his full fare and juggle with a meager budget for a trip.
How do you keep up with chores/ tasks while on the road? Do you delegate? Who babysits when you’re busy doing mom duties?
Teloyskie has learned to do “his things” early on and he doesn’t need a lot of babysitting anymore. When I have urgent tasks/assignments/articles, I just give him something to read or let him play on his own. If Baba is with us then they bond over games on his mobile phone.
Let’s talk tantrums and all those not-so-fun stuff associated with traveling with kids. How do you deal with those? Do you do games? How ‘bout food?
This is one of the reasons why Teloyskie doesn’t leave home without some snacks in his pack. He’s a picky eater and sometimes it can be frustrating when he doesn’t like the food available. Good thing he’s slowly taking some interest in other cuisine. Baba and I always encourage him to try and taste other cuisines which might actually be better than his usual “Chicken Joy.”
Not much tantrums anymore but he can get bored with stuff that adults find interesting so we engage him by letting him take charge of our camera. We encourage him to take the best shots and look for the best angles.
Is there a point when all the traveling with the kids gets tiring and you question yourself, “Why the heck am I even doing this?”
Yup, once when we were travelling to Calaguas for a beach camp. I didn’t realize he was already so heavy. There was only one seat available on the van bound for Camarines Norte and it was just a “jump seat.” Teloyskie was already tired and sleepy and so was I, but I have to carry him, my backpack and his backpack too!
Has motherhood bettered you as a traveler, or the opposite?
Definitely yes. I guess I’ve become a more responsible and more mature traveler.
What crucial life lesson do you take from all this as a traveling mother?
I have always loved adventure, nature and travel. But since I started travelling and sharing these experiences with Baba and Teloy, everything became more exciting, more beautiful and more unforgettable. Travelling with loved ones – your kids and your lifetime partner changes the way you see the simple things.
Like feelings you get when your child gape at dolphins in the wild or how he gaze at the sun rising while you’re in the middle of the sea.. well these are just priceless!
Last shout-out to moms on traveling with kids of all stages, and nay-sayers who don’t believe women be left to travel solo or with the kids.
Take every chance you got to explore. You don’t have to travel grandly – start by exploring your town or city. Allow your kids to be close with nature – watch sunrise and sunsets with them or play in the rain. Our kids are like sponges, even when you don’t tell them, they learn a lot from travels through their own observations. And when they’re all grown up, you’ll always have fun and exciting memories and experiences to look back to.
Follow Cotz’ adventures!
Website: www.misadventuresofthree.com
IG: @misadventuresof3
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
Travel Blogger Mom on Spotlight is a section on this blog that’s dedicated to mothers who live life with relentless passion for travel and motherhood. Suggestions on featured bloggers are always welcome. To forward requests for features, please contact me at admin@filipinaexplorer.com.
