Jodi and her mother.
The dynamics between mothers and their children span a vast spectrum. A daughter might enjoy manicures, shopping, and martinis with mom one minute, and then have a tear filled shout fest the next.
A son might go about his life as if he completely forgot his mom existed but then one day out of the blue he may call her just to say he loves her.
Some people love their mothers dearly. Some people can’t stand their mom’s at all. And then there’s everything in between.
So what happens when you travel with your mom?
Since the individual dynamics can vary so greatly, what I think is important to consider are some basic truths/tips about travelling with others.
- Expect minimal privacy. Close quarters and unfamiliar surroundings will put you in close proximity a lot of the time. You’ll know when the other person wakes up, if they snore, and how long they spend brushing their teeth.
- Expect to learn something new. Be open here. This could be pleasant or unpleasant. But especially a few days into a trip and the basic things have been talked about, conversations can become quite honest and open. Two guys I travelled with who shared a room for most of the trip ended up going deep into one guy’s recent divorce. They got close after this, but I don’t think either expected to have that conversation.
- Alone time is crucial. I don’t care how good of a relationship you have. Solitude is necessary for sanity. Before you even begin the trip make a pact to respect each other’s request for space.
- Communication is key. Express your feelings – both emotional and physical. Listen to the other person. Be willing to compromise at times.
- Happiness is best when shared. Jodi’s mom (the two of them in the photo on the right) accompanied her on our Guatemala trip. It was a cool moment to see them share in each other’s success.
What about you, do you have advice or tips about travelling with others? Have you gone a trip with your mom and how did that go?
