Philippines Trip Series: Preparing Your Child to Meet Family - Part 2
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The Big Moment: Meeting Family for the First Time
One of the most emotional parts of our trip to the Philippines was preparing Lincoln to meet my side of the family for the first time. While this was a special moment for all of us, it also came with its own set of challenges and emotions. As a parent, I wanted to make sure that Lincoln felt comfortable, excited, and confident about meeting people he had never met before.
My son was born during the height of the pandemic, which meant that traveling wasn’t possible for us at the time. My family could only see him through pictures, FaceTime, video calls, and phone calls. While my dad and younger sibling had met him already, my mom, my other siblings, and some relatives had never seen him in person. This made our first face-to-face meeting all the more special and emotional.
In this post, I’ll share how we prepared him for this big moment and offer some tips for other parents in similar situations.
Talking to Him About Meeting Family
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Explaining Who They Are: I made sure to talk to him about who my family members were and how they were related to me. I showed him pictures of my parents, siblings, and cousins, so he could start to recognize their faces before we arrived.
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Setting Expectations: I explained to him that my family was really excited to meet him, but also that it might be a bit overwhelming at first. I reassured him that it was okay to feel a little shy and that we could take things slow.
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Building Excitement: I made the experience sound fun by talking about how my family loved kids and that they couldn’t wait to show him some of the fun things in the Philippines, like new toys, games, and activities.
Making the Introduction Special
When we arrived, my family was waiting for us at the airport. My mom, dad, brother, and sister were all there, excited to finally meet my son in person. The moment was filled with warmth as he hugged them and greeted them with a huge smile. It was an emotional and beautiful moment for all of us.
We made sure that the introduction wasn’t rushed. I wanted to create a warm, welcoming environment for him, so he could feel comfortable and ease into the experience at his own pace.
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A Calm Setting: After picking us up at the airport, we went to a quiet, relaxed environment—our family’s home—where he could feel safe and not overwhelmed. We gave him the space to adjust, allowing him to observe my family members and get used to his surroundings before any direct interactions.
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One-on-One Time: Instead of having everyone surround him all at once, we took the time to introduce him to each family member individually. This gave him the chance to connect with them in a more personal, less overwhelming way.
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Gifts and Conversation: My family gave him some thoughtful gifts and had a warm conversation with him about his trip. They shared stories about the Philippines and excitedly talked to him about all the fun things they had planned for us. These gestures made him feel special and helped him feel more connected to them right away.
Encouraging Connection
It was important to me that my son felt like he could connect with my family, even though they were strangers to him. Here’s how we fostered that connection:
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Interactive Activities: We involved him in activities with my family right away. Whether it was playing with new toys, looking at old family photos, or even baking together, these interactions helped him bond with my relatives in a natural, playful way.
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Patience and Understanding: We made sure not to pressure him to interact if he wasn’t ready. If he needed a break or wanted to observe quietly, we let him do so. My family was patient and understanding, which made a big difference in easing his nerves.
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Positive Reinforcement: Whenever he had a positive interaction with my family, we made sure to praise him. Positive reinforcement helped him feel proud of his interactions, which encouraged him to engage more.
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Start Early: Talking about the experience beforehand is key. The more my son understood what
to expect, the more comfortable he felt meeting new people. -
Go at Your Child’s Pace: It’s important to give your child time to adjust to meeting new people. Don’t rush the process—allow them to take breaks when needed and encourage slow, natural interactions.
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Make it Fun: When introducing family members, try to incorporate activities that will make the experience enjoyable for your child. A fun and engaging atmosphere will help your child feel more comfortable.
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Be Patient: Not all kids will warm up immediately. It can take time, and that’s okay! The goal is to create a positive, low-pressure environment where your child can feel comfortable and loved.
Next Blog: Our Itinerary and Destinations with Toddler on Part 3 of this Blog Series
The moment of meeting my family was a success! It was such a beautiful experience for all of us. In the next post, I’ll share about our itinerary and planned destination—more adventures, more bonding, and more unforgettable moments in the Philippines. Stay tuned!
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