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Win a copy of Kate Wickers new book Shape of a Boy

106 replies

BexMumsnet · 15/02/2022 13:49

Hi All,

We have an exciting giveaway for you - 50 FREE hardback copies of Kate Wickers new book Shape of a Boy. If you’ve ever needed a laugh-out-loud travel memoir, by the mother of three boys, then this book is for you!

Kate shares the life lessons learnt on her family’s travels, from overcoming disappointment in Thailand to saying sorry in Japan, discovering perseverance in Borneo and learning about conservation in Malaysia. Kate’s vivid evocation of the highs and lows of family time make you belly-laugh and bring a lump to your throat.

Shape of a Boy captures the essence of being a parent in the thick of it and learning on the hoof. Inspirational for anyone who has travelled with a baby, toddler or teen, it is a life-affirming read for every wannabe-traveller.

While Kate's mantra is ‘have kids, will travel’, we want to hear what your best travel tips (or travel mantras) are when you travel with or without kids! The first 50 people to comment below will receive a free copy of Kate Wickers new book, Shape of a Boy.

We can't wait to read your posts!

MNHQ

Win a copy of Kate Wickers new book Shape of a Boy
Win a copy of Kate Wickers new book Shape of a Boy
OP posts:
MostIneptThatEverStepped · 15/02/2022 19:52

Be prepared and also be ready to abandon any plans!!

RJnomore1 · 15/02/2022 19:40

For me it’s go see as much as you can - you never know if you will be back there and you can sleep when you are home.

Sturmundcalm · 15/02/2022 19:37

always have spare clothes with you!

frogface69 · 15/02/2022 19:14

Take lots of Imodium. I speak from experience, unfortunately.

ChirpyChirp · 15/02/2022 18:58

Take a waterproof case for your phone!!

nzborn · 15/02/2022 18:48

I let my son plan our family trips

HouseholdBubblesandEeeeek · 15/02/2022 18:46

Lots of snacks!

Cismyfatarse · 15/02/2022 18:37

Enjoy every moment because if the disasters make memories.

SierraHotelIndiaTango · 15/02/2022 18:34

Be open minded to new experiences

WaitingToExhale · 15/02/2022 18:31

Sounds like a great read! 😀

LizzieSiddal · 15/02/2022 18:18

My tip is to let the children keep a Travel Diary. So every day (or whenever they like) they draw a picture/stick in a postcard or do a bit of writing into an A4 scrapbook about something which happened that day. My Dds are grown up now but I still have their “holiday diaries” and it’s just lovely to have a look through them.

mrswishywashy1 · 15/02/2022 18:14

My tip is too always print out your tickets etc as well as having them on an app on your phone just in case your phones runs out of charge, gets damaged or even lost

ShapeofaBoyKate · 15/02/2022 17:56

Hello everyone! Kate here, author of Shape of a Boy. I'm loving reading your tips and thrilled you're so keen to read my book. Thank you for taking part in this giveaway. If you'd like to follow me on instagram for news of Shape of a Boy, my new book to be published next year, and my travel writing, you can find me here @wickers.kate & on twitter @Katewickers
And please, if you love my book, do leave a lovely review! Happy travelling and thank you again. XX

crabette · 15/02/2022 17:55

Yes please!! I have a four month old and looking for any tips going!! 😂

MerryMarigold · 15/02/2022 17:51

Not sure if we're up to 50 but my best travel tips are:

  • For 'in transit' stopovers, get each child a gift which they can open and 'do' (anything from a sticker book to Lego to travel game). It keeps them occupied and is usually several hundred pounds cheaper than a direct flight!
  • any child older than 8, write them a list of things to pack (whether it's for a weekend away or a long haul holiday). This way they need to find everything and put it on their/ my bed. I usually do actual packing until about 12yo to check everything is there but the annoyance if running around finding all their bits is sorted.
  • Don't stress about forgetting things. Apart from tickets, passport, money, medication you can probably buy anything you've forgotten.
WheresYourSnickers · 15/02/2022 17:43

Pack the usual toys, teddies etc... in a back pack for children to carry themselves, but also pack a full change of clothes for them as carry on (if flying) or easy to access bag of driving/ sailing. In my experience of my very messy children, they will destroy their clothes on the way and it's good to have a change to hand.

Mimilamore · 15/02/2022 17:38

Sounds a great read, would love this book

StillNoFuckingEyeDeer · 15/02/2022 17:37

Always pack extra pants.

Hollytreenew · 15/02/2022 17:34

Make sure you take a photocopy of important travel documents before you go, can be handy in case they are lost or stolen.
Looks like a great book!

McClary111 · 15/02/2022 17:33

Best tip for small children is to take a small (appropriate) item to open each day to keep them entertained. This may be a ball on day 1, colouring pens day 2, paper planes day three etc. Other ideas are plastic dinosaurs, those paint with water paint books. Bead bracelets to make. Friendship bracelet if a bit older.

These items can be from the pound shop. The child receives a small toy each day to occupy them if travelling or during /dinner or whilst sitting by the pool. If they get seven small items in one go they will be bored of them all by the end of day 1!

Holly60 · 15/02/2022 17:18

Think of all the reasons you shouldn’t go. Then go anyway Grin

Mydogisagentleman · 15/02/2022 17:02

While travel broadens the mind, our DD had very poor opinions of people who haven’t travelled as widely as she has (44 countries visited)
Don’t encourage your DC to be boasty about the exotic countries she has lived in.
Karma bit her on the arse when we moved to the UK and she discovered that she was pretty much the only person in her new senior class who hadn’t been to Tenerife!
As far as travel tips go, we found a pack of cards extremely useful

YellowLemonshade · 15/02/2022 16:50

Don't expect your DCs to remember anything about amazing overseas holidays if you take them when they are very young! A beach is a beach when you're 6, whether it's Bournemouth or Bondi!!

ImFree2doasiwant · 15/02/2022 16:49

Single parent of 2 boys. Plan the journey, include plenty of stops. All the snacks. Relax! Don't forget the tent poles.

bunanarama · 15/02/2022 16:48

We travelled loads with our eldest and looking forward to more travels with 2.

Definitely key to remember flexibility and everything takes longer with kids in tow!

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