Life with a toddler...

Blogger: Apoorva

The two biggest lessons I have learnt as a parent is responsibility and patience. I can’t be as carefree as I used to be...lol

Juggling work, home, daycare, family life can be challenging. Especially now.

We moved to Belgium in 2019....who would have thought that within 6 months of my daughter and I arriving that life as we knew it would change so drastically? (More on our move later).

Life was pretty much the usual before Covid-19. My husband used to go to the office, my daughter to daycare and I worked from home. Now we all are at home. Since my daughter is at playgroup there are no online lessons.

In-between trying to work, my husband and I make sure she keeps learning and playing like she would at daycare. Toddlers have amazing creative minds. They always want to explore and try new things. Every object is a wonder for them. If I am busy with work and absolutely cannot make time for her I make sure to give her some activities to do like giving her a coloring book and some colors. She loves to draw and thoroughly enjoys it.

The biggest challenge during this time is not being able to take my daughter to play outside. Although families are allowed to go to parks if they maintain social distancing, we have chosen to be extra cautious as our child is still young.

Something new….

During this time indoors, I have started taking an online course in French and digital marketing. I get to spend more time with my husband so that’s a plus too. I have also started doing some home work outs as well but I’m not too regular with that..ha ha

Discipline…

Parents were stricter when I was a child. Now I don’t see parents disciplining their children too much.

Being an only child my daughter does tend to throw tantrums sometimes but I always make sure not to give in to her demands all the time. My husband is usually stricter than me and when he disciplines her she always listens. The main advantage of children this young is that you can easily divert their attention. So if she doesn’t get what she wants I usually make sure to take her out side or stand on our balcony to take in the view of the park just outside our apartment. Sometimes saying NO is equally important as saying YES.

It’s difficult to not always react emotionally but you have to remind yourself that you are doing this for your own child’s good and that this step will make them a better person in the future.

Teaching her our roots...

My native language is Hindi and we use it everyday in our house. Although my daughter goes to a French school right now, she converses mostly in Hindi and a little bit of English. I make sure to tell her stories about my culture and tradition, of my country and their people so that she is connected to her roots no matter where she goes.

When work takes you to different countries

My daughter was 2 when we moved. I had to make the long journey from India to Belgium as my husband had traveled earlier to prepare things for our arrival.

I was nervous of the long travel by air and the effect it would have on my daughter. Thankfully she was a darling throughout the journey. She didn’t cry once or throw a tantrum, in fact she really enjoyed the airplane journey.

If you are travelling or moving with a toddler it's important to carry a few of their favorite things in your handbag like their favorite toy or book and any foods they love to eat. That really helps to calm them. I always take my daughter’s favorite book and a few coloring pencils with me when we are going on a long journey. Make sure to keep an extra set of clothes, nappies, tissues in your main luggage just in case there’s a delay during transit.

The Adjustment...

My daughter adjusted very easily in Belgium and in the new environment. To her it was as if nothing happened! She taught me not to stress too much. Kids are resilient and parents need to be equally resilient too. Takes things in your stride. This time taught me that most of the things we worry about don’t even happen. For example, during the trip to Belgium one of my concerns was the transit flight and how I would cope with the luggage and my daughter. However, she was already asleep as it was the middle of the night and the flight attendants were very helpful. We boarded the second flight with ease. And to think all the time I wasted stressing and mulling over this event beforehand!

It took a little longer for my husband and I to adjust. My husband arrived 6 months before us. His new workplace did not provide accommodation. There are many groups on Facebook about first timers arriving to a new country. We got in touch with a person who was happy to provide my husband with temporary accommodation. This was very helpful as each country has different rules for house renting and it takes time to understand and get used to it.

After arriving he searched for an apartment through real estate websites and found an apartment.

We were able to make contact with expat Indians living here and that made a huge difference as they provided us with much needed guidance around accommodation, groceries and daycare.

If you are considering working overseas and are wondering whether to do it or not, I'd definitely recommend doing so....once it becomes safe to do so of course :)

Please like and share this post....I'm sure there's at least one person in your circle who may be encouraged :)

Your fellow Rookie Parent,

Apoorva

My husband and I live in Brussels with our 3 year old daughter. I am a freelance illustrator and graphic designer and my husband is a software engineer.

I am extremely fond of drawing and painting, cooking and reading. Follow my work on instagram.

Our favourite pastime as a family is to visit parks on hot summer afternoons.