About

A Little Adrift Jr. is a family travel log built on small moments, curiosity, and a lifelong belief that the world’s too big to tell just one story. This is where I document journeys with my young son as we explore new places and revisit old ones, collecting memories one playground, pastry, and puddle jump at a time.

We travel slowly and intentionally, guided by curiosity and kid-level joy. You can expect a mix of:

• hipster coffee stops and public transit adventures,
• walking tours and street food picnics,
• cultural deep dives and spontaneous pirate ship playground detours.

We’re vegetarian, frugal but not cheap, and always splurge on meaningful experiences—like a museum with instruments to bang on, or the train ride that turns into the whole day’s adventure. If there’s a social enterprise, a good walking tour, or a locals’ market in town, we’re there.

We don’t do bucket lists. And we don’t pretend to have all the answers. But what we do have is wonder, flexibility, and a deep belief that travel can shape who we are—at any age.

The Heart of the Site: “5 Little Things”

The site’s signature series, 5 Little Things, captures the five things my toddler (and eventually preschooler, kid, and tween) loved most in each place we visit. These posts aren’t exhaustive city guides—they’re small, slice-of-life snapshots that reflect the pace, chaos, and charm of traveling with a young child. Think: street fountains, perfect churros, castle climbs, and the pirate ship playground we always detour for.

The series is written from my perspective as a solo mom raising a curious little human, and each post includes a short list of “Parent Notes: Small Wins for a Smooth Day”—the real tips I’d share with a friend if they were visiting that destination with kids in tow.

We currently live in southern Spain and explore locally around Málaga and the Costa del Sol, while also taking longer trips to places like Rome, Nice, Bristol, and beyond. I write both for memory-keeping and to help other parents find joy in the little details when traveling with kids.

The Original Journey: Homeschooling Across Southeast Asia

A Little Adrift Jr. began in 2011, when I took my 11-year-old niece Ana on a seven-month journey through Southeast Asia during her sixth-grade year. We based ourselves out of Chiang Mai, Thailand, and homeschooled online through Florida Virtual School (FLVS) while traveling to Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

Ana wrote all 25 blog posts herself, sharing her perspective as a tween discovering the world beyond textbooks. That original trip shaped so much of how I now approach travel with my own child—leaning into curiosity, flexibility, and letting kids lead the way when it comes to what matters.

You can still read Ana’s stories in the archive under The Original Trip.

What You’ll Find Here

• Real stories from real travels, both local and long-haul
• Kid-focused highlights, especially through toddler and early childhood stages
• Parent-tested tips, including stroller-friendliness, transit access, and food wins
• A low-pressure, no-expectations vibe for families who want meaningful travel—not just photo ops

Whether you’re a parent planning your first trip with a little one, an expat looking for local ideas, or just curious how travel shifts when seen through a child’s eyes, welcome. I’m glad you’re here.

~ Shannon