Baby on Board

Traveling with a kid and worried about how to pack up everything? No worries! Okay, honestly, worry a little, because there is a good news and a bad news! Lets get done with the bad news first. There is a lot, literally lot of packing to do. And here is the real bad news, if you forget even a single thing, it will leave you with quite a few panic stricken moments! Now the good news! I have a check list of things to ensure you pack everything! Rest assured it has everything as I travel almost every month with my child. He stays put weekend-to-weekend at his grand parents' place and I continue my work travel plans during the weekdays in between. I have been doing this since my kid was one month old. So trust me when I say I have everything on this list, I do have everything on the list.

Last minute packing (Say about 30 mins before you start the journey)

• Feed for the journey 
• Feed after the journey (I am always prepared with an extra feed, just in case the journey gets prolonged)
• Regular medicines
• Medicine measures and feeders
• Water bottle / Sipper 
• Potty/ Potty Seat
• Sterilizer (until feeding bottles are used) 

Journey packing (I suggest start packing the night before)

• Day out bag*
• Food kit*
• Bath kit*
• Grooming kit*
• Cleaning kit* (Laundry and utensils)
• Clothes kit*
• Sleeping kit*
• Car seat
• Selected few toys (preferably small in size)
• SOS Medicines + Medical File
• Pram (Optional)
• Camera (Optional)

* Day out Bag

• Diapers
• Wet wipes
• Diaper rash cream
• Dusting powder
• Diaper disposable bags
• Water bottle / Sipper
• Hand sanitizer
• One set of change over clothes
• One cuddler
• Feed
• Laundry bag 
• Favorite toys or books

* Food Kit

• Spoons
• Bowls
• Glass or Sipper
• Bibs & Napkins
• Multi purpose seat (only for babies under 8 months)
• Sterlizer (only if the baby is using bottles)

* Bath Kit

• Massage oil
• Massage mat
• Tooth brush
• Tooth Paste (Baby)
• Soap + Shampoo
• Eau de colon
• Towels sets
• Potty/ Potty seat

* Grooming kit

• Diaper rash cream
• Body lotion
• Moisturizer (Nevia)
• Antiseptic cream (Kailas jeevan)
• Nail Cutter
• Nose cleaner
• Hair brush
• Dusting powder

* Cleaning kit (Laundry and utensils)

• Bottle brush and scrub
• Utensil cleaner (better have your own)
• Detergent (If you use a different one for your baby)
• Dettol/ Savlon
• Tray to store your utensils

* Clothes Kit

• Home ware
• Party ware
• Warm ware
• Nappies/ UGs
• Diapers
• Socks
• Shoes/ Floaters

* Sleeping Kit

• Blankets
• Bed covers
• Cuddlers
• Quick Dry (Till your baby is not potty trained)
• Cushion (If your baby needs one)

Happy journey and a super peaceful mind! The feeling of being prepared and all set is indeed very good! 

Interdependence is a Virtue!

I  have spent too much time distinguishing between independence and interdependence. Spent more time in confusing between the two and further more time on justifying how independence was the winner. But fighting against something so profound and true is a lost battle even before it begins.

Almost 10 years back, while doing an exercise with my mentor on "Personal Values", we had this discussion. I still remember every little detail of that conversation! He had asked me to write down what I stand for. "Independence" happened to be among the top 3 choices on my list. With a curious smile my mentor asked me "Why independence?" I had a long list of reasons why I chose independence - how I want to be on my own, not dependent on anyone for anything, have a solid career, and a lot more. He was still smiling (That smile, so curious and yet so assuring!) He asked me "Are you mixing up Self Sufficiency with Independence? Why are you not choosing Interdependence? It is a real virtue you know?" I certainly had a moment of rethinking my choice, but then, gave up as I was in the justification mode! I said interdependence calls for dependence and I don't want that. His smile transformed into a little laugh and he said "I get your perspective, but try to find why interdependence is a virtue and independence is not!"

Since this conversation, I have experienced every bit of it to be true! Why interdependence doesn't mean you depend on someone, as I thought it would be when I justified against it. The first requirement for interdependence is being able to fly solo! Interdependence cannot flourish in the absence of self sufficiency! You have to be self sufficient in order to benefit the true effects of interdependence. It is not complementing, it is co-creating. It emphasizes that 'we' is better than 'me'. Only when you are truly self sufficient, you understand the efforts of another self sufficient person and this type of team works wonders! On the other hand, independence has no scope for accommodating someone else. It is isolation and indifference to everything else but oneself. Sometimes I feel realization is that one thing which causes enlightenment and embarrassment at the same time!

Now I know why his smile was so curious, and what he meant! Independence comes from arrogance and Interdependence comes from modesty. Modesty that stems from contributing to a greater cause and respecting someone else's contribution to that cause! Someone rightly said, a true mentor shows you where to look, but never shows you what to see! It was for me to find out that you achieve nothing doing everything alone, it is the other way round, you cannot grow without people around you!

p.s: Sorry Sir, it took me so long to understand what was hidden in your curious smile!