Mom Life,Travel,Travel Stories

Being a Mom is Like Traveling

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The thing I really miss the most since I became a mom is traveling to far away destinations. But then, I slowly realized that motherhood is not so different from traveling after all. They may be two different experiences, but the adventures I have in both are also endless. Here are 5 reasons why:

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1. Being a mom is like traveling; you have a faint idea of how things are gonna be like but you don’t always know for sure until you’re there.

When I was preparing our itinerary for London, I researched like a crazy lady. I obsessed about every detail, checked Google Maps (and even street view) about a thousand times, read countless blogs about the attractions and meticulously plotted our route! But even after all that, it was still a surprise to me how far the underground really was from our hotel and how tiny the Twinning’s shop really was!

It’s like being a mom. I’ve been told stories and given advice from seasoned moms. I’ve attended classes and have read all those “what to expect” books. But none of them compare to actually experiencing it myself! I still had some trouble with my breast pump (and clogged ducts, ugh!) and I still panicked when my son caught his first flu. You don’t really know how it’s like until you experience it (And then sometimes, you just sort of “wing it!”)

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2. Being a mom is like traveling; it’s sometimes scary, sometimes challenging, most of the time exhausting but always exciting.

I crawled inside the Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam not expecting how tiny the space really was and it scared me crazy.  When I climbed Mt. Sinai, my knees were shaking so bad and I didn’t know if I could really make it back down (I ended up riding a camel, haha) Sometimes, traveling can be so exhausting, even frightening, but it is always very exciting.

It’s similar to being a mom. It may be full of sleepless nights, messy floors and arguments with a two year old (and those are definitely scary, challenging and exhausting experiences!) but I have to say, there’s never a dull moment! 

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3. Being a mom is like traveling; the most stressful moments become the best stories after.

One time, we missed our bus in Penang. Then there was that other time we got stranded in Guangzhou and had no place to stay. And let’s not forget that time I accidentally booked a non-refundable flight on the wrong dates (we were supposed to watch a race, oops!)

What about that time during my pregnancy when I cried to my husband because all I wanted was to go out and have pizza? And that time my 2 month old started wailing just as I got in the shower. And that time he spilled all my veggie juice because all he wanted to do was “help” stir it.

They were all so stressful… at that time! But now, I think of all those memories and look back on them with happy tears. They are now funny stories I don’t mind sharing with friends!

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4. Being a mom is like traveling; there’s always something new to discover.

No matter how many times we go to Hong Kong (which I frequent, not of my own free will haha jk), there’s always something new to discover. You think you know all about the place, but then there’s always something that will still surprise you, once in a while.

Being a mom is like that too. You think you know your child but then you discover there’s more to him than what you thought you knew. It was only last month that I discovered Luke’s interest in flags. I also just recently learned about how easily he empathizes with the characters in his stories. And everyday, I learn something new about him.

And just as I am always excited to discover new things, even in familiar places, I am also so excited to discover new things about my son!

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5. Most of all, being a mom is like traveling; you can only plan and do so much but the rest is still all by the grace of God.

If there’s one thing I learned from being a mom, it’s that I’m only surviving by the grace of God. It is very much like traveling, where you plan everything but still experience unexpected things. Sometimes I feel like I’ve got this thing figured out but then something happens and I realize I have no idea what I’m doing again!

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It’s really all by God’s grace. I am far from being a perfect mom and I can only wish I am doing things right. But it’s a journey I’m excited to take because God is with me every step of the way. Not everyday is perfect and we have bad days together with the good ones, but I am thankful for all of them.

So here’s to all moms who are struggling, like me. And to all moms who have no idea if they’re doing this right, like me. And most of all, to all moms who are enjoying every single bit of this adventure, like me.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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32 Comments

  • Reply
    Angeli
    May 13, 2017 at 8:02 pm

    Love this entry! Heartfelt and so many pictures of Lukey! :)

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      May 13, 2017 at 10:06 pm

      Thanks Angeli! Hehe it’s my opportunity to share Lukey photos! Haha!

  • Reply
    Milka
    May 14, 2017 at 7:46 am

    loved reading this! i feel you! happy mothers day!!!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      May 15, 2017 at 5:14 pm

      Thanks Milka! Hang in there, it gets better! Hehe. See you soon!

  • Reply
    Monique Galang
    May 14, 2017 at 5:16 pm

    Happy Mother’s day Sheena! There will be more *travelling* experience on your way as luke grow up =)

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      May 15, 2017 at 5:14 pm

      Thanks Monique, yes I’m expecting that! Haha. :)

  • Reply
    Violette
    May 14, 2017 at 8:25 pm

    This might a fantastic and wonderful feeling! These photos are way too cute and you must be an amazing mom!

    http://violettedaily.com

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      May 15, 2017 at 5:16 pm

      Hi Violette thanks for the encouragement!

  • Reply
    Bella
    May 15, 2017 at 12:06 am

    Such a cute post. and beautiful photos!

    Hugs Bella, http://nouw.com/bellss // Instagram: bellaskoog

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      May 15, 2017 at 5:13 pm

      Thank you Bella!

  • Reply
    Ken Patricio
    May 15, 2017 at 10:22 am

    Happy Mother’s Day Ms. Sheena! Thank you for this story. It’s all by His grace. :)

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      May 15, 2017 at 5:13 pm

      Thanks Ken, really all by God’s grace, indeed!

  • Reply
    Nistha Saraf
    May 15, 2017 at 7:43 pm

    Such a cute fam!! I love these pics. Not mom yet but I am sure, its not easy to be one and it is like a travelling!
    Love
    Nistha
    https://www.fashionistha.com/infatuation-with-crop-top/

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      May 16, 2017 at 8:27 am

      Thanks Nistha! Yes it’s not easy but always worth it! 😉

  • Reply
    Blaire
    May 16, 2017 at 11:56 pm

    This is such a great take on motherhood. I’ve never really thought of it like that, but I love the comparison. Great post.
    xo, Whitney and Blaire
    Peaches In A Pod

  • Reply
    Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
    May 17, 2017 at 12:57 am

    And, #5 is so true! Love this post. I was nodding my head along with all of it! My kids are a little older now (8 and 10), but it is still so true!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      May 17, 2017 at 7:24 am

      Thanks Carrie! I’m sure you can add a lot more to the list especially with older kids! Hehe.

  • Reply
    Amy Arnold
    May 17, 2017 at 1:32 am

    Such a sweet post. I never thought about it, but motherhood definitely shares much in common with traveling.

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      May 17, 2017 at 7:24 am

      Thanks Amy <3 Yes they have a lot in common for sure hehe.

  • Reply
    Adi
    May 17, 2017 at 4:27 am

    Love these pictures!! Such a beautiful post!
    Adi xx
    fancycorrectitude.com
    instagram.com/fancycorrectitude

  • Reply
    Rina
    May 17, 2017 at 9:00 am

    Beautifully written post! Your family is so precious!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      May 17, 2017 at 1:02 pm

      Thank you Rina! <3 They are really one of God's greatest blessings in my life!

  • Reply
    Wandering Ella
    May 17, 2017 at 8:50 pm

    I absolutely agree with everything, Sheena! Every point na minention mo, I think of something na marerelate ko sa experience ko as a mom to my four-year-old! Hahaha. Happy Mother’s Day, Sheena! Kahit late na. Hehe :)

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      May 18, 2017 at 7:47 am

      Happy Mother’s Day Ella! I’m sure you can add more things to the list, right? Haha! Oh, life as a mom! :)

  • Reply
    Gail
    May 18, 2017 at 12:09 am

    I am glad you said that :) Though, I am not a mom, but I love reading your journey :)

  • Reply
    Rachel Holliday
    May 22, 2017 at 5:41 pm

    This is such a beautiful post, I love how you’ve drawn comparisons between your travel stories and being a Mom. And the photos of you and your children are adorable

    Rachel xx
    http://www.thedailyluxe.net

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      May 22, 2017 at 10:46 pm

      Thanks Rachel! :)

  • Reply
    Kim
    May 26, 2017 at 7:54 pm

    What a wonderful comparison! Your little boy is so cute! I bet you are a great mommy, especially having experienced all your traveling and learning to deal with difficulties through it. Happy belated Mother’s Day!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      May 26, 2017 at 11:10 pm

      Aww thanks so much Kim, that’s so sweet of you!

  • Reply
    sharleen
    June 28, 2017 at 6:16 pm

    #3 is so true! there are days that i ask my husband to take me out of the house even for just for a few hours to breathe. or bring me some ‘pasalubong’ when he gets off from work. it’s so tiring.. but you discover a lot of things from our babies. :)

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      June 29, 2017 at 9:18 am

      I feel you!

  • Reply
    mama_telyamzon
    November 27, 2019 at 8:02 pm

    I love the idea of yours Mommy. That Mom is like traveling. Sometimes exhausting but most of the time exciting too.. Motherhood is very challenging every single day you’ve learned. Just like traveling. Hihi :)
    Thankyou Mommy Sheena. :)

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