Join hosts Malliha Ahmad and Corinna Emery for an inspiring conversation with Amanda Emmerling (@toddling_traveler), the former banking COO turned travel advisor who’s proving that family adventures can start at 7 weeks old. From her daughter screaming in the Louvre to her son taking notes on geography, Amanda shares the real, unfiltered truth about traveling with kids and building a business around your passion.
Key Topics Covered:
From Banking to Travel Dreams
• How Amanda left her COO position when her son was 18 months old
• The transition from corporate life to travel advisor and blogger
• Why she knew travel would remain central to their family life
Philosophy
• First flight at 7 weeks, first road trip at 6 weeks
• How early travel exposure shaped her son’s love for geography
• The moment in the Louvre when everything “came full circle”
Real Talk: Travel Challenges
• Managing meltdowns in museums and restaurants
• The difference between her anxious 7-year-old and people-watching 4-year-old
• Solo parenting moments during family trips
Screen-Free Restaurant Strategy
• Why their family chooses no screens at dinner (with zero judgment for others)
• Activity backpacks and engagement games that actually work
• The ABC game and I Spy as lifesavers
The Evolution of Travel
• Why bad experiences can become amazing ones years later
• How our capacity and perspective changes as we grow
Mom Life Reality Check
• Life in one word: “Chaotic but fun”
• The corner stuffing and weekend planning reality
• Finding balance (or accepting there might not be such a thing)
Connect with Amanda:
Instagram: @toddling_traveler
Join Our Mama Village:
• Instagram: @momlifeunfiltered_by_thecaep
• Website: thecaep.com