In Deep Water: How My Son’s Fear of Open Water Led Us to Deeper Family Adventures

When my son’s fear of open water threatened our travels, I drew on my own battles with anxiety to guide him. Discover how we both learned to embrace life beyond our comfort zones.

My family was embarking upon the trip of a lifetime. Toronto to Shanghai, China, and on to Manila, in the Philippines. Our two boys were excited to connect with their Filipino roots and meet the many members of Christina’s family who still reside in her birth country.

What should have been two weeks of wonder, connecting with family and exploring some of the most incredible places to visit in the Philippines, beaches, history, and family bonding. Instead, sparked a phobia that would re-shape our family’s travel experiences and test our ability to adapt to the complicated world of family travel.

This article won three awards in the Family Travel category at the 2021 Travel Media Association of Canada Awards.

Read the whole article here.