Maternity Leave Usually Means Being Home With Your Newborn. What This Mother Did Is an Inspiration for Us All

by Morgane Croissant Feb 11, 2016

Karen Edwards had visited more than 50 countries before she became pregnant. Both her and her partner Shaun Bayes are experienced backpackers.

“[when I realized I was pregnant] I instantly thought — ‘that’s it, travel days are over'”, Karen explains on her blog.

But she could not have been further from the truth.

Born in London from an Irish mom and a dad from New Zealand, baby Esmé was bound to travel, but no one knew it would happen at such a young age.

A photo posted by Travel Mad Mum (@travelmadmum) on

Before Esmé was even 3-month old, Shaun left his job and the couple packed away their belongings, sold their car, and rented their house in London before setting off on a backpacking adventure.

The young family visited Ireland, Singapore, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, and even Hong Kong for 10 months during Karen’s maternity leave.

A photo posted by Travel Mad Mum (@travelmadmum) on

A photo posted by Travel Mad Mum (@travelmadmum) on

The family has returned to the UK in September 2015, but they are about to take off again next week to Thailand, Cambodia, and New Zealand with now 17-month-old Esmé.

A photo posted by Travel Mad Mum (@travelmadmum) on

Karen explains to the Daily Mail that there are some challenges to traveling with a new born, but that “you can still do everything, including snorkeling and diving, but you just take it in turns.” She adds, “I can’t imagine having spent my maternity leave any other way.”

A photo posted by Travel Mad Mum (@travelmadmum) on

She goes on with inspiring words to new parents: “Your travel days do not have to be over”. It is all about incorporating your little person into your way of life.”

H/T: The Sun.

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