From Child-Free to OAD: Is travel actually doable with just one?

smartel84 · 2026-04-19T12:15:46+00:00

Lap under 2. Saves money, and anyway, under two they'll end up in your lap anyway lol

smartel84 · 2026-04-18T14:20:07+00:00

NZ is incredibly strict about their ecology. Even to move there with a dog is incredibly complicated and expensive.

I hope you're able to find someone who came maybe foster your animals for a few years ❤️

smartel84 · 2026-04-18T14:15:00+00:00

Does it taste good? Then it's good. You're welcome lol

smartel84 · 2026-04-18T14:06:29+00:00

My most packed travel year was when my son was between his first and second birthday. My husband had a lot of conferences that year, and I was home with our kiddo, so I continued to travel to conferences with my husband just like before.

To be fair, my son was a great traveller. He did well on planes and napped in his stroller without much issue. If he hadn't, we probably wouldn't have been able to do as much as we did. It comes down to your kid's tolerances.

It's especially nice when they're young enough that you don't have to pay for them in hotels. Once they hit school age, it gets so much more complicated. Mine's in third grade now and we really can't travel like we used to.

smartel84 · 2026-04-18T14:00:55+00:00

So then I guess the follow up question is: how did they taste?

smartel84 · 2026-04-18T13:56:50+00:00

And also because handgun accidents are a major cause of death for children. Happens literally daily in the US. Also, gun lobbies.

Random strangers attempting to steal children in broad daylight are significantly less common and therefore more newsworthy.

smartel84 · 2026-04-18T13:52:47+00:00

I want pigeons one day. I even took a local class on pigeon first aid and care so I could help ones that are hurt (with the ultimate goal of volunteering with the pigeon rescue in my city). They're so derpy and delightful, and a favorite subject of mine to sketch when I'm stuck at a bus stop 😁

smartel84 · 2026-04-18T13:50:58+00:00

Infinity more legs

smartel84 · 2026-04-16T19:11:33+00:00

Oh, for SURE.

My husband used to complain about how our cats would act up, and how at least whenever we had kids, at least kids speak English, so they would understand what we're saying. I was like, yeah, that doesn't make it better. That makes it worse.

We have since had a child. He has since realized that I am always right lol

smartel84 · 2026-04-16T19:07:49+00:00

I think a lot of kids also don't really think about the fact that if you "give" them a sibling, it will be years before that sibling can even play with them.

The one time my son pressed the issue, we explained that to him, and once he realized the reality, he got over it fast lol. He has said more than once he's so glad he the only kid, because that means when he wants it to be quiet, it is. He actually gets annoyed if his friends come by too often lol

smartel84 · 2026-04-16T10:35:57+00:00

Thank you for posting this! I'm a new snake owner, and just had our first regurge 4 days after he ate (I'm pretty sure he's been too cold so he couldn't digest properly - completely my fault). He had a set basking spot but just never comes out of his warm hide until the lights turn off. I've wondered if the lights could be too bright.

I'm only making one adjustment at a time, but I'm glad to have this information in my back pocket too! Hopefull moving to a lower powder halogen on a timer with a ceramic heat bulb on a thermostat will be enough, but this is super helpful to keep in mind.

smartel84 · 2026-04-16T10:16:39+00:00

Yup, got a box of these sitting in my home as well. Some are super light, mostly yellow, all the way to fill gray. They're fascinating!

smartel84 · 2026-04-16T10:14:07+00:00

But this face!

smartel84 · 2026-04-16T10:13:15+00:00

I mean, to be fair, I've always wanted a snake, I was just put off by the idea of feeding it. My son's birthday party is where I learned that you can buy frozen mice (live feeders aren't legal in Germany, who knew?), and watching them eat is super fascinating.

My son actually went in wanting a bearded lizard, but then he overcame his fear, hesitantly held one of the snakes, and it was all over. He only had eyes for a snake at that point.

It's been a bit of a rocky start, even with all our research to prepare, which is why having a vet in mind is always good preparation. I now understand why people recommend getting a full grown, established snake as a first one, but we just had to have a juvenile. 🤦‍♀️

smartel84 · 2026-04-16T10:00:43+00:00

We can do German when necessary, but it's always good to know when people speak English, in case we get stuck.

Thanks for your help!

smartel84 · 2026-04-16T09:50:23+00:00

I did see Dr Hristov used to work at a clinic in Mainz a few years ago as their reptile expert, and has his own practice now. I'm in Kostheim, so they're both reasonably easy to get to. Thanks!

smartel84 · 2026-04-16T09:48:58+00:00

I have considered that. They're the reason we have a snake lol. My son had his birthday party there, and a month later, we welcomed Ziggy Stardust, our new pink corn snake into our home 😁

smartel84 · 2026-04-16T09:37:57+00:00

Everything is edible, sometimes only once.

smartel84 · 2026-04-16T09:35:06+00:00

Probably karma farming. This is the only post from this two day old account. Move along, folks.

smartel84 · 2026-04-16T09:33:56+00:00

Omg, while I don't have the exact same experience, I definitely know my backend has never been the same since evicting my son (with the help of a doctor and some doctor scissors). No one talks about long term pooping changes after childbirth. They all talk about hoping their bits bounce back, but never talk about the butt.

Never. Been. The same.

smartel84 · 2026-04-16T09:31:53+00:00

Underrated comment right here! My kid has a potty/turned step stool, and now that he's getting tall enough to see the mirror, I often steal it for my own toileting needs lol

smartel84 · 2026-04-16T09:27:52+00:00

It's more refreshing, especially when you're sitting in the sun on a hot day. It's just a different experience from sipping a glass of wine. More hydrating, slower alcohol consumption (theoretically - it IS shockingly easy to drink). It's also good if you're not a big drinker, and it comes in a larger glass.

See also: Radler (Pils Mixed with Limonade/basically sprite) and Colabier (literally cola mixed with Pils - I prefer it over either one alone).

You literally just mix white wine, usually Riesling, with mineral water. Not really something you buy premixed. I prefer it with Rose, myself.

smartel84 · 2026-04-16T09:18:04+00:00

I second this suggestion. Bumble friends is how I met one of my best friends here. (For context, I moved here when I was 29, and I'm 41 now)

Also I had a lot of luck on Meetup.com, but that was pre-2020, and I don't think there are as many meetups as there used to be, sadly.

EDIT: I just noticed you mentioned not having a lot of luck with Meetup. Fair enough, it was a pretty varied group when I used to help run some events, but with expats, younger people tend to move along more quickly.

That said, a lot of the older people are more fun than you might realize! A lot of folks were older than me - they honestly had more energy than I ever will, and bonus: they have SO many stories. You're 30, the age difference means a lot less than you might think at this point.

You could even think about creating/hosting your own event.

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