Megan Sharma's Blog: The Savvy Surgeon's Wife

Cruise with kids: Travel tips for cruising with toddlers (baby/toddler travel guide series)

8/31/2017

Ya’ll! We just returned from the most dazzling family vacation: a cruise from Seattle to Alaska!

We saw dozens of whales throughout the trip (Humpbacks and Orcas), thousands of jellyfish while kayaking a hidden cove in Sitka, and a handful of majestic Bald Eagles in the wild. The massive Hubbard Glacier was breath-taking. It was all pretty drool-worthy, I must admit.

Photo by Megan Sharma. Secret kayaking launch point in Sitka, Alaska.

Photo by Megan Sharma. View of the Hubbard Glacier in Alaska.

As usual, we brought along our toddler, who has already accompanied us to Spain, Ireland and Mexico, but who had yet to board a cruise ship.

In this blog series, I’ll share everything I learned from the experience of cruising with a toddler.

Cruise with kids: Travel tips for cruising with toddlers

Part 1: Get the Best Cruise Deal

IMPORTANT: Before you book anything, check the age requirements of the cruise line you are considering. Most will only accept children six months and older as of the first day of the cruise. For some itineraries, such as transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, or otherwise, children must be at least 12 months of age at the start of the cruise.

Also check any passport requirements. If your cruise docks outside of the U.S. or its territories, you and your children will need a passport. See my advice on traveling internationally with your baby or toddler here.

Obviously, you’ll want to secure the very best deal for your cruise. I subscribe to Travelzoo, which features Top 20 deals every Wednesday. This is how I found our Alaskan cruise on Holland America for a fantastic price with tons of bonuses, through Prestige Cruises.

To be honest, I was initially nervous about booking through Prestige Cruises, since I hadn’t heard of them and the package almost seemed too good to be true. However, I was assured by Travelzoo that all their deals are verified.

So, we made out like bandits: upgrade from a balcony to a signature suite, two free beverage packages (normally $700/person), free gratuities, third and fourth guest free (this paid for our toddler), and a whopping $350 in on board credits, which can be used for spa treatments, photography, excursions, and more. Normally, you’d be lucky to get $200 in on board credits.

I recommend holding out for that third and fourth guest free promotion, otherwise you will have to pay for your children separately at the same price as an adult.

You can also take advantage of Wave Season deals, which typically run between January and March. Last-minute deals can also add immense value to your experience.

Next Time: Plan Toddler Activities and Entertainment for your Cruise

Watch for Part 2 of this series, which will outline strategies for keeping your toddler happy and busy on board!

Photo by Megan Sharma. Downtown Juneau, Alaska.

*Author’s note: these opinions are my own based on my personal experiences. I have not been paid to endorse any businesses, products or services in this blog

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Vacation time! Why I’m actually vacationing on my vacation

8/14/2017

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Your first question should probably be, ‘Why is this even a question, the whole vacationing on your vacation thing?’.

To which I say, EXACTLY! Why is it a question?

At what point did it become socially acceptable, nay, silently required, to work through one’s time off?

I’ve been struggling with this over the last few weeks as I’ve tried to cram a month’s worth of work into a week.

This summer has been the usual whirlwind, plus daily swimming lessons, a few trips, tons of writing and a hyper-focus on social media as part of my efforts to win a book deal.

I’ve been working. Hard. Constantly. Most of the day and then as soon as my daughter goes to bed for the night—weekends included.

I can’t remember the last time I just relaxed and did nothing in the evening.

I know, I know…this sounds like the whole ‘I’m SO busy and important’ spiel, but it’s not.

The point is, I deserve a vacation, and since I actually have one just around the corner, I am going to take it.

Am I under the gun to make my ‘author platform’ happen? Yes, I am. Am I going to be gone for the rest of August and then traveling again in early September? Yup, you betcha.

But without time to relax and recharge I fear that both my inspiration and my motivation will dwindle to nothing.

And that’s the last thing I want.

So, yes. All this rambling does have a conclusion.

I’m going on vacation with my family, and I am damn well going to enjoy it (Seattle and an Alaskan cruise, woop woop!).

I’ll be right back on the blog come early September, ready to dazzle you with my wit and prose.

Until then, I encourage you to find your beach!

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Vacation fun: 44 things you only do when you're on vacation or holiday

8/2/2017

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On vacation: two of the most magical words in the English language.

When you’re on vacation or holiday, your state of mind changes completely.

You’re adventurous. You’re lazy. You want to talk to strangers. You seek new and novel experiences. You eat until your stomach nearly explodes.

It’s all part of the charm of vacating your everyday life.

Our family LOVES to travel. Lives for it, really.

In honor of our upcoming trip to Seattle and Alaska (bucket list!), here’s a little vacation fun to brighten up your day, whether you’re lying on a pristine beach or plugging away at the office.

44 things you only do when you're on vacation or holiday

1. Consume dessert twice, if not three times, every day
2. Sleep in until OMG-o-clock
3. Tell yourself and your travel companions: It's a once in a lifetime opportunity!
4. Watch other drunk tourists sing karaoke, and possibly join in
5. Consider showering only after you've already hit the beach or pool

6. Convince yourself that calories are an illusion
7. Say things like ‘the native culture’ even though you're in Minneapolis
8. Push from your mind the fact that you will eventually have to settle that credit card bill
9. Take photos with random street performers
10. Two words: day drinking

11. Wear a beach hat on a plane
12. Proudly activate your out of office message
13. Actually read a book or magazine from cover to cover
14. Take photos of random buildings
15. Go ziplining or four-wheeling

Photo credit: vastateparksstaff via Visualhunt.com / CC BY

16. Say things like "I want the authentic experience"
17. Order food in a foreign language
18. Aggressively ignore email messages
19. Carry a backpack or fanny pack
20. Wear a shirt decked out with palm trees

Photo credit: bobbi vie via Visualhunt.com / CC BY

21. Eat enough breakfast at the buffet to keep you stuffed all day
22. Lay out in the sun doing nothing
23. Get a massage, guilt-free
24. Talk to strangers from your home country or hometown
25. Take hundreds of photos that you'll never print out or make into physical photo album

26. Walk around in public barefoot and swimsuit-clad
27. Bring home tiny pilfered bottles of shampoo and shower gel
28. Observe the one ice cream or gelato per day rule
29. Stake out poolside loungers around 6 am, then go back to bed, eat breakfast, and show up at the pool at 11 am. Yup, everyone hates you.
30. Buy useless, overpriced trinkets

Photo credit: Alberto.. via Visualhunt / CC BY

31. Check the weather back home and gloat as required
32. Opt for an impromptu ping pong championship
33. Practice yoga on the beach
34. Befriend the local cab driver, bellman and hotel concierge so you can get the 'inside scoop'
35. Tan your skin to a lovely shade of crimson

Photo credit: Zach Dischner via Visual hunt / CC BY

36. Take a bubble bath in a deep soaking tub
37. Get hair braids or henna tattoos
38. Pass on a drink unless it contains fruit garnish or a tiny paper umbrella
39. Sit shivering in an air-conditioned cocoon while it's 90+ degrees outside
40. Wear sunglasses, even at night

41. Eventually wish you were back home in your own bed, in your regular routine
42. Worry over tipping customs
43. Ask other people where they are from
44. Watch the sunrise or sunset

Cheers to treasured vacation memories!

You may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
Baby/toddler travel guide series: going international
Baby/toddler travel guide series: what to pack
Baby/toddler travel guide series: the essentials!
Travel: Insider’s guide to the best Seattle outdoor activities
Your insider Seattle trip planner: lodging (where to stay) and getting around (rental car or no rental car?)
An insider’s guide to Seattle’s Pike Place Market
60 fun and unique date ideas for the young at heart
What I never expected about Midwest living
Parenting: A no-fuss guide to your toddler’s birthday party for Pinterest-fatigued parents
How to be the perfect friend: a guide for the ladies
One year after my major career change from full-time mom to full-time writer: reflections and lessons learned

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Physician Family guest blog: 30 surefire signs you're a mom of young children

4/3/2017

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This week I was honored to write my second guest blog for Physician Family, an organization dedicated to supporting people who share their lives with a physician.

Check out my blog:
30 surefire signs you're a mom of young children

You may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
Married to medicine: 20 clear signs that you’re married to a doctor
A real, imperfect day in the life of a writer: me
Celebrating Women’s History Month: 10 women of medicine and science that will knock your socks off
Physician Family guest blog: Does Match Day dictate your destiny? A surgeon’s wife weighs in
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: A word to mothers who aspire to have a surgeon-in-law
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: No, I don’t want no scrubs
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: For the love of Danskos
Book preview for When Medicine Meets Holy Matrimony: The other shoe
10 ways to overcome a creative block and find inspiration

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What we can all learn from an epic 2-year-old tantrum

3/2/2017

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This morning was a real doozy. The kind of morning during which a headache descended on me before I could even change out of my pajamas.

We have been traveling quite a bit in recent weeks with our two-year-old daughter, J. When we travel, J. tends to become overly attached to us, and it generally takes a few days back in the home routine to recover.

J. woke before 6:00 am in our bed and began wailing for her daddy (my husband, Arun), who was in the shower. She then edged herself off the bed toward the bathroom, banging on the door to get his attention. Despite my pleas for her to return to bed to snuggle with me, she ignored me, continued crying, and laid herself down on the floor outside the bathroom.

A few minutes after the shower turned off, the door opened, and Arun invited J. in to ‘help’ him get dressed. This was all fine and dandy until Arun had to leave the house to head to work.

She was absolutely inconsolable. Literally screaming at the top of her lungs, tears streaming down her innocent little face. Nothing I said provided any comfort. She wouldn’t allow me to hold her. There was nothing I could do but wait out the protest. This meltdown went on for what seemed like an eternity.

Finally, she agreed to come back to bed with me and look at pictures on my phone. Her smile emerged behind her paci. She seemed exhausted.

The crying started up again when I put my phone away. Somehow, I was able to convince her to get dressed and got her off to school, thinking, “dear lord, I need a coffee!”. A coffee and a drink later.

What can we learn from this foray into toddler dramatics?

1. Stubbornness (sometimes) pays off. If you set your mind to something and don’t take no for an answer, you will sometimes win. J.’s stubborn streak won her some extra face time with daddy this morning. But, ultimately, she lost the battle to get him to stay home from work.

“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination.”—Tommy Lasorda

2. Logic doesn’t always prevail. There are certain situations in which logic will never overcome. For example, when dealing with a distraught two-year-old. Recognize this scenario and take another tact.

“When you can’t change the direction of the wind—adjust your sails.”—H. Jackson Brown Jr. H.

3. Accept the things you cannot change. We would all do well to remember the Serenity Prayer (by Reinhold Neibuhr):

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

4. The sun will come out tomorrow. There is always the hope of a better tomorrow, even through the difficulties of the present.

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow”—Orison Swett Marden.

5. Never underestimate the power of one’s voice. Toddlers sometimes use it to exasperate their parents into submission. But we adults can use our voices to do great things.

“The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can.”—Neil Gaiman

Onward, my friends! Enjoy the rest of your week.

You may also like these blogs by Megan Sharma:
You know you’re a mom (of young children) when…
A no-fuss guide to your toddler’s birthday party for Pinterest-fatigued parents
Baby/toddler travel guide series: the essentials!
Baby/toddler travel guide series: what to pack
Baby/toddler travel guide series: going international
Swim diapers are a LIE
A brand new day
What is a parent?
The dawn of a new era: B.B. and A.B.
New Mommyhood Initiation

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Travel: Insider’s guide to the best Seattle outdoor activities

2/12/2017

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The lighthouse at Discovery Park in Seattle

A sunny day in Seattle brings people out of the woodwork. Everyone must.be.outside.NOW! Seattleites treat every soleil-soaked day as if it were their last.

Whether you’re a visitor or a longtime resident, it never hurts to have a go-to list of outdoor activities ready for that picture-perfect day in the great outdoors.

Here is your insider’s guide to the best outdoor activities in Seattle:

On a warm summer day

Get your splash on

Seattle Center International Fountain provides great fun for kiddos and adults who love people watching.
Green Lake Park Wading Pool is open daily from June-September. Restroom just adjacent to the wading pool.
Greenlake Boathouse offers tons of water craft rentals to enjoy on Greenlake: try a paddleboat, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or canoe.
Lake Union Spraypark overlooks Lake Union and the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), as well as the Center for Wooden Boats.

Hit the beach

Golden Gardens Park in Ballard is my favorite beach in the city. The sand is mostly soft (not rocky, like some beaches), there is space for grilling and playing volleyball, picnic areas, and a playground for kids. Parking can be extremely competitive, so show up early and bring a wagon if you’re hauling more than you can carry.
Alki Beach this is THE place to be if you love rollerblading, skateboarding or volleyball. Alki boasts a long walking path near the water with space for feet, strollers and wheels. Fantastic views of downtown Seattle across Elliott Bay are a nice bonus. You could even hitch a ride on the King County Water Taxi to get there from downtown Seattle!
Myrtle Edwards Park is one of the most beautiful seaside walks in the Pacific Northwest. The paved trail runs right next to the water, with stops for little beaches along the way.

All hands on deck!

Soak up some sunshine at any of these spectacular deck-side settings:
- Hard Rock Café Seattle has a sweet rooftop deck perfect for selfies.
- Eastlake Bar and Grill (on Eastlake—spoiler alert) has a deck nestled perfectly over Lake Union.
- Little Water Cantina, also on Eastlake, offers a view almost as fabulous as its Mexican food and cocktails.

General outdoor hijinks

Rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards at these fine businesses on Lake Union:
- Northwest Outdoor Center—paddle past the houseboat from “Sleepless in Seattle”.
- Agua Verde – grab yourself a celebratory fish taco and mojito post paddle.
Visit Lincoln Park in West Seattle.
Take a ferry ride from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge or Vashon island. Cars, people and bikes are all welcome!
Kerry Park on upper Queen Anne is where 90% of all Seattle skyline photos are taken. Down a steep staircase, you will find a cool little park for the kiddos. Hint: start at Menchie’s for self-serve frozen yogurt goodness and then walk down to Kerry Park to marvel at the view. The walk is about ¾ mile each way. It’s a fairly steep hill for a portion of the walk.
Discovery Park in Magnolia (still Seattle) is one of my all-time Seattle favorites. It has a pleasant and easy 2.7 mile loop hike (not paved), is kid-friendly, with gorgeous bluff views of Puget Sounds about halfway. Ideal for a light picnic.
The Olympic Sculpture Park isn’t so named because it hosted the Olympic Games—it’s because of its breathtaking position overlooking the Olympic Mountains. Walk north on the waterfront path and you’ll connect with Myrtle Edwards Park. Walk south and you’ll hit the waterfront area. Walk west and you’re in the ocean. Oops.
If you’re on the waterfront and feel like a little maritime action, Argosy Cruises offers a variety of narrated 1-3 hour cruises. We also LOVE Let’s Go Sailing, which offers daytime and sunset sailing adventures that allow you to kick back and let someone else do all the work. You can even bring your own food and drinks to enjoy while watching the sinking sun! Note: Let’s Go Sailing boats are not ideal for small children (i.e. under the age of 5), since the boat picks up an impressive amount of speed to cross Elliott Bay and you have to hold on carefully for the ride.
Gas Works Park, a former gas plant turned public park, offers sweeping views of Lake Union and downtown Seattle. Fly a kite, run up and down the giant hill, and wave at kayakers as they paddle past. Insider tip: this is where they filmed the paintball scene in “10 Things I Hate About You”.
Washington Park Arboretum is another fun one for nature lovers.
If it’s summer, summer, summer time, catch an outdoor movie in one of Seattle’s many venues (2016 schedule here as an example).