Vea Kaiser's column Fable world: Recreation with excess baggage

Vea Kaiser, author of bestselling books including Blasmusikpop and Makarionissi, has penned a column titled “Fabelhafte Welt” reflecting on the challenges of family vacations with young children. In her latest piece, she describes how parenthood transforms travel into a different kind of experience, one filled with logistical hurdles, emotional labor, and an ever-growing need for storage space. The article, published in Kurier, captures the reality of modern family holidays, where the idea of relaxation is often overshadowed by the demands of childcare, packing, and managing expectations. The piece begins with a personal reflection on how motherhood has reshaped her understanding of vacation. She notes that time spent away from home is rarely free from responsibilities. Instead of focusing solely on leisure, she finds herself engaged in tasks such as monitoring children during meals, navigating complex snack logistics, and ensuring that her kids remain entertained throughout the day. These small moments, she says, have become part of the holiday rhythm, embraced rather than resisted. A central theme of the column is the burden of packing. Where once a two-week summer trip required just one suitcase, today it demands a car trunk, roof rack, and even a bicycle carrier. Her sons insist on bringing their belongings along, seemingly to teach them humility through the physical act of being transported across borders. Yet, despite the effort, these items often lose their appeal upon arrival, becoming mere relics of a journey that began with so much anticipation. Kaiser also touches on the irony of carrying books to the beach while simultaneously trying to keep toddlers safe from drowning. She admits that reading has become a necessary escape, both for herself and perhaps for the books themselves. This duality, of seeking respite while fulfilling parental duties, has become a defining feature of her current travels. Her reflections extend beyond the immediate experience of the trip. She recalls a simpler time when the biggest challenge before a journey was choosing which book to bring. Now, however, the act of preparing for a holiday involves more than just selecting literature, it requires planning for everything from sand-covered clothes to the emotional toll of constantly being on guard. In describing her experiences, Kaiser highlights the evolving nature of family life and the compromises that come with it. While she acknowledges the difficulties, there is also a sense of acceptance and even appreciation for the unique dynamics of raising children during travel. The column serves as both a critique of modern parenting pressures and a celebration of the resilience required to navigate them. Kaiser, who lives near Vienna with her family, writes regularly for freizeit, offering insights into the everyday joys and struggles of contemporary life. Her work continues to resonate with readers who find common ground in the shared challenges of balancing personal aspirations with the realities of family life.