Travel with kids can be so beautiful, but these treasured memories are usually at the destination. The transit is usually, actually all of the time just a red hot mess.

To all those that contended with the screams of an overtired and cantankerous 3 year old flying Cairns to Osaka because the inflight entertainment system sporadically worked, thanks for keeping any bad vibes to yourself.

To those that witnessed a neurodivergent kid absolutely lose it at Cairns airport check in queue after 95mins of waiting and still being very far from the counter, thank you for not offering to intervene or expecting they “just get over it”.

To those that saw an older brother niggle his siblings until snapping point, thank you for not voicing your judgement and having silent recognition for his struggles.

And to all those that witnessed the beauty in the smaller, happier moments in our transit, well, thank you for celebrating them with us. Your smiles, little nods of delight or high-5’s left us all feeling like we’d managed ok.

I always seem to forget the depths of those harder or challenging times when it comes to the kids. I know it’s my resilience in action, coupled with the trap of wanting a harder moment to pass (and quickly at that). I’ve had a few moments during the transit to our overseas holiday where I’ve contemplated walking away, however each time I’ve found my courage to make it through, and each time I’ve reminded myself: She who is courageous will always be rewarded.

After a 3am wake-up to make our 6am flight, this trip was never going to be easy. But when we get off the plane (and through immigration and then customs), we’re going to be in Japan. And any good adventurer knows, the best adventures are the ones with the biggest challenge.

I’m off for adventure x

What’s that you hear? Rebecca Black’s obviously auto-tuned voice welcome you to Friday? Well, apologies for that, it is just in fact how I start most of my Fridays. You see, the children have cottoned onto the amazing world of music streaming, which now means that most days we have music playing at home to help us get out the door. Usually, the vibes are any version of The Wiggles or minecraft / roblox / fortnite inspired tunes (yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck) that have corrupted my streaming-service, but Fridays are reserved for, well you’ve probably guessed it…songs all about Fridays. It’s gimmicky and fun.

Over the last few months, we’ve cobbled together a play list that contains tunes which directly reference Friday. Obviously, there’s Rebecca Black’s little diddy about Friday, and then the annoying Annoying Orange rip-off aptly named Fry-Day (easily my least favourite, which is surprising considering the annoyance level of my first referenced song, but there you go). Some of the others give us a bit more street cred (e.g. The Cure’s Friday I’m in Love, or David Bowie’s cover of Friday on my Mind or even the Easybeat’s original) – but I think my favourite Friday Tune is by little-known Western Sydney band*, Amends: Walking Backwards.

What I love about this song is not only the sentiment (it’s Friday night, so let’s raise hell and we can get saved on Sunday morning) – sort of like that ‘live in the moment’ sentiment, but I love the harmonica-laden intro and the way Laura Jane Grace joins in on vocals. Each time I hear this song, I am reminded at how powerful I find music. It shifts my mood, almost every single time – and quite often leaves me thinking deeply about the possible meaning or story behind the words.

Anyway, after recently having the hilarity that is The Shovel land in my inbox, I am indeed reclaiming my Spotify algorithm. Alas, with the Unwrapped thing released, I am just as horrified – it is my worst one to date.

Happy Friday to those that celebrate

*Only evidence I actually have of them being little-known is the live show I recently saw them at…there were not many peeps there. I will happily be corrected if you do infact, know this band. I really like them, so maybe you will too!