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

[BexMumsnet]

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

My tip is - wherever you go, get everyone in the family to do some research and say what their top thing to do or see or try there is. Then build your itinerary around this. That way, no one feels like their desires are being ignored and everyone gets to do things they might not otherwise have chosen. We have the best holidays by doing this.

Would love to read this.

My advice would be to bring allllllllllll the snacks! Everything is worse without a snack!

Interested to know why travelling with boys seems to yet again be thought of as a whole different thing to travelling with girls .

Never had any issues with travel + DCs l. All you need to pack is a bit of foresight and common sense. Babies and children are everywhere! If you’re flexible and have a positive attitude, it really isn’t hard! Though 15 years ago we did struggle to find big enough nappies to fit average sized infant in Japan and got offered adult incontinence pants instead!

Hi All,

Thanks to everyone who has comment their amazing travel trips and mantras!

We will now be sending private messages to the first 50 commenters, so that we can get your details on where we will be able to mail Kate Wickers new book, Shape of a Boy, to.

Thanks,

MNHQ

Oh yes please

Best tip is to make a list of things you need so you don't get half way down the road and have to turn around!!

Don't forget the travel medicines - paracetamol, loperamide etc.

I would say don't try and fit too much in, have some rest days or days where you just go with the flow with no pressure

My best tip is lower your standards

@BexMumsnet have the first 50 people been contacted? Because i have not received anything and not sure if i am looking in the right place

[quote TrialofTrials]@BexMumsnet have the first 50 people been contacted? Because i have not received anything and not sure if i am looking in the right place[/quote]
Me neither. I've looked at my PMs, but nothing there.

@BexMumsnet I pressed go too quickly on my Pm with name / address. Thanks for the book. Really appreciate this.

Research and share! Tell your children about both the destination and the journey. Show them pictures and discuss with them what is best to wear; to take and to do so there are no surprises and less chance of toddler tantrums.

I know that I am too late for the book but thought I would share a few tips if going abroad anyway - just in case it helps!

1. Leave one suitcase unpacked if at all possible - obviously the more of you going, the easier that is. If you can't manage a whole empty suitcase, try not to cram the others too full. You will have clothes and/or small
   nic-nacs you want to take home.

2. When packing the cases put a couple of changes of underwear for everyone in each of their carry on bags, and if you will be going swimming when you get there, put a swimsuit in each carry on bag as well. All the adults should carry sachets of Calpol (if you have children with you, otherwise tablets in their original boxes are fine) they give how many each age range can take, including adults. Also have lots of sachets of Dioralyte (or it's equivalent) with you, to replace essential salts and sugars lost during sessions of vomiting and/or diarrhoea.

3. If you are going to a poor country, or region, take an emergency pack of sterile needles, surgical thread, etc. You can get these already made up from larger chemists, or trusted on-line pharmacies. They are very light and hardly take up any space.

4. Learn some of the most used phrases, and phrases you might need in an emergency, from free on-line apps before you go. If you are taking children with you who can talk, depending on their age, teach them a few phrases too. For the really young you can just teach them how to say thank you, then hello, bye, yes, no, please, then how they can ask for a drink they like etc. My Grandchild loves giving their own food order in English restaurants, so I am sure that he would also love to do so abroad, and most of my children loved giving at least their drink order in the hosting country's language.

5. Lastly, try to relax non essential rules, and Have Fun!

Ohhh this sounds brilliant
Yes please 🙏

Thank you for this very good blog! It helps me a lot.

I'd love to win a copy as a new mum of a little boy I need all the tips and tricks I can get!

Pack more socks than you think you will need.

Then pack some more !

So my DH took the dog out for a walk just before 7pm to our local park. The whole trip should take max 40 mins. After 90 mins I rang him concerned as its still really windy with some old large trees in the park. Nothing, he didn't pick up. He didn't respond to my texts or subsequent calls. Finally after 9pm I walked down to our local pub and found him there with the dog. He had ignored my calls and texts. I was so angry. I went in, called the dog and told him in front of his pub mates not to bother coming back. This isn't the first time this has happened. I just wish he'd be honest and tell me he's going to the pub instead of disappearing and ignoring my calls.
Aibu to have reacted the way I did or should I have just shrugged it off?
I'm lying in bed waiting to see what happens next.

@Welshnproud

So my DH took the dog out for a walk just before 7pm to our local park. The whole trip should take max 40 mins. After 90 mins I rang him concerned as its still really windy with some old large trees in the park. Nothing, he didn't pick up. He didn't respond to my texts or subsequent calls. Finally after 9pm I walked down to our local pub and found him there with the dog. He had ignored my calls and texts. I was so angry. I went in, called the dog and told him in front of his pub mates not to bother coming back. This isn't the first time this has happened. I just wish he'd be honest and tell me he's going to the pub instead of disappearing and ignoring my calls. Aibu to have reacted the way I did or should I have just shrugged it off? I'm lying in bed waiting to see what happens next.

I think you probably meant to start a new thread with this *@Welshnproud*? Can I suggest the Relationships thread unless you have a tough skin, in which case AIBU is fine!

By the way if this sort of thing is common practice for him, and you have discussed it with him before, then I don't think you were being unreasonable. If however it was a very unusual thing for him to do, then I think that UWBU to embarrass him like that in front of his friends. Either way, something is wrong if he felt he couldn't tell you that he was going to the pub, so some proper conversations between the two of you would probably be a good idea.

I'd love a copy it looks really interesting yes please

Are we at 50 yet??? 👦🏻👦🏽👦🏿👦

Haha

Would love to read it