Philippines Trip Series: Preparing for Our First International Journey with Toddler Part 1
The Excitement of Preparing for Our First International Trip,
Mommy and Toddler Edition
It has been decided that we will be visiting my family in the Philippines this year,
and we did. There's a mix of excitement and nervousness. Traveling with a toddler was no small feat, and with the Philippines being our destination, a lot of preparation was involved! In this first part of my Philippines Trip Blog Series, I’ll walk you through the steps I took to get ready, from getting Lincoln's passport to planning the dates and packing essentials for my little one.
Getting Lincoln’s Passport
first time traveling internationally, I made sure everything was in place for his documentation. Here’s
how we navigated the process:
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Gathering Documents: To apply for Son's passport, we needed his birth certificate, proof of citizenship, and both of our IDs as his parents. I looked for the nearest place that could assist us in submitting the documents, and it turns out we can do that at our local Post Office. I navigated their website to find the closest location, and take all the documents needed for submission. They also took my Son's photo, which turned out to be a bit tricky—Lincoln wasn’t exactly thrilled about posing for the photo!
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Filling Out the Application: I filled out the application form online, but we could have also done this in person. I made sure to double-check all the details before submitting it.
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The Appointment: We booked an appointment at the nearest Post office agency to submit everything. Lincoln's passport came through in about three weeks, which gave us plenty of time to finalize our travel plans. It was a relief knowing that the passport was in hand!
Planning the Travel Dates
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Weather: We chose April for our trip because it’s one of the best times to visit the Philippines.
Avoiding the rainy season and ensuring plenty of sunshine for our adventures. -
Family Schedule: It was important to align our travel dates with family events, so we coordinated with my family in the Philippines to make sure we didn’t miss any special occasions.
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Budget: We also took into account flight prices and booked our tickets a few months in advance to get the best deals.
In the end, we settled on the beginning of April—just in time for some much-needed sunshine!
Packing for Our Little Toddler
As any parent of a toddler knows, packing for a trip can be overwhelming. When we traveled internationally, the stakes felt even higher! Here’s a glimpse of what I packed for Lincoln:
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Clothing: We packed light, breathable clothing since the Philippines is warm. I also included extra clothes in our carry-on just in case of any spills or accidents.
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Essentials for the Flight: I packed snacks, a tablet with pre-loaded shows and games, his favorite blanket, and some toys to keep him entertained during the flight.
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Travel Comforts: To make the journey more comfortable, I brought along his travel pillow, I also got the skyrest inflatable foot rest pillow it helps so much when he is sleeping, he is able to lay down and sleep comfortably, and some baby wipes (trust me, they came in handy for everything!).
Tips for Preparing for an International Trip with a Toddler
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Plan Ahead: Starting the preparations early made everything so much smoother! From passport applications to flight bookings, early planning reduced last-minute stress.
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Talk to Your Toddler About the Trip: I kept my son excited about the trip by showing him pictures of the places we would visit and telling him stories about what we would see, and letting him know that we would be spending lots of time with my family there.
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Pack Smart: We didn’t overpack, but we made sure to bring the essentials. Snacks, toys, and comfort items made all the difference on a long flight.
Next Steps: The Excitement Builds!
Now that we had our passport and travel dates in place, it was time to move on to the next stage—choosing where to go, creating our itinerary, and making sure everything was in place for the journey. Stay tuned for next blog of this series, where I’ll share how we chose our destinations in the Philippines and planned our trip.
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