Traveling with Angelika - A Baby Travel Guide

A practical guide to traveling efficiently and pleasantly with a young one in tow, Traveling with Angelika will give new parents the courage to venture out. New mothers and fathers can learn how visiting new places and people can stimulate the development of the little one. It is based on the real-life experiences of author Agnes Wegner who has ventured to new cities and crossed international borders with her child. Light and humorous, Wegner understands that for all the joy a new baby brings, the constrictions on a parent's freedom can sometimes be burdensome. Her book shows parents how to travel again in a way that is safe and fun for their child while allowing mom and dad to reconnect with friends, family, and the larger world they miss out on while caring for their little loved one. Wegner discusses all forms of travel from long distance treks by plane, trains, and automobiles to simple walks through the neighborhood. Realizing that even a trip to a local supermarket can stress new parents out, Wegner hopes to prepare readers by sharing her adventures with Angelika in all their mishaps, humor, and glory. Whether it is a visit to the doctor or a trip to another continent, the author has made the journey with her young child. "The right attitude is a must," says Wegner. "The unexpected happens more than it does not." The book even prepares parents for later in life, when friends and family may be taking care of their child, and they find themselves dealing with the separation anxiety of having to learn again how to travel without a baby. The book will teach the reader how to laugh at their difficulties and learn from them as well. Beyond its many helpful pointers for structuring trips and making travel safe and pleasant for infants, Wegner's book invites new parents to rethink the possibilities of their family life. For couples used to exotic getaways, life with a newborn can be a drastic shock. At first friends and family still visit but soon life alone with a child can begin to get a little bit lonely. Yet with a little imagination, the stay-at-home mom (or dad) can take advantage of the flexible schedule of their life. "When for the first time I decided to make a day-trip with my daughter Angelika to visit a friend living 250 km away, I felt as if I had wings," says Wegner. "Windows of adventure and opportunity opened in front of me. When else in life one has a chance to spontaneously decide on a Tuesday about a day-trip on Wednesday? Probably at retirement?" The book can be read in a chronological order or thumbed through as a reference guide when planning a trip. The book includes a detailed index, a list of internet resources, and a time-line of the trips Angelika has taken with her mother. By comparing Angelika's age with her trips, the reader can get a sense of the possibilities for different trips at different ages.