Kisha, Terrin, and Josselyn are joined by producer Danny for a conversation that is equal parts useful, honest, and messy in the way real parenting always is. This episode focuses on traveling with kids as blind parents, from everyday errands to full travel days, and everything that can unravel in between. The stories are real, the advice is lived, and the laughter shows up right on time.
Opening Banter and Catching Up
Terrin opens the episode sounding rough and immediately blames the dust in her house, which earns her instant teasing from Kisha and Josselyn. Danny jumps in with his ongoing attempt to sell an iPhone 16 Pro Max, continuing his long running struggle with online marketplaces.
Kisha checks in from San Antonio where cooler weather finally arrived and Halloween went exactly how she hoped. Two hours of trick or treating, pizza, and a movie made for a solid night. The next morning, her son Xane still showed up for baseball after an injury and helped keep their team undefeated.
Josselyn, already a couple drinks in, recaps Halloween with Ariana and Avani. A family friend’s child dressed as Bluey, Ariana went as Garfield, and the night included a stop at a high school trunk or treat. One interaction sticks with her. A woman approached Josselyn, her husband Jamelle, and their children and told them they were such good parents and doing the best they could. The comment landed awkwardly and felt patronizing in the moment. As Josselyn tells the story, one of the hosts jumps in with a sarcastic “Jesus loves you,” capturing exactly how comments like that can feel when people talk at blind parents instead of to them.
After talking it through later with Jamelle, Josselyn reflects on how many people simply do not know how to interact with blind parents and often speak without thinking. For every uncomfortable moment, there are far more people who quietly observe and recognize blind parents handling their business without commentary.
Terrin shares her Halloween recap next. Delainy attended her first Halloween party, complete with homemade taquitos and Mexican dancing. Scarlett trick or treated on foot for the first time, covering two blocks in their neighborhood. Terrin talks about how proud she felt watching Scarlett move independently without needing her wheelchair. She also casually mentions that her Christmas trees went up on November first, immediately sparking debate. Kisha and Terrin are firmly on team Christmas now. Josselyn and Danny stand their ground for Thanksgiving and the turkey.
Drinks are checked in. Kisha is sipping wine she intentionally brought back, using her certified lovers girl cup. Terrin has red wine. Danny sits this one out.
Preparing for Day to Day Outings
The conversation shifts into how they prepare for everyday trips with kids. Kisha explains that even with older children, she still packs pull ups, wipes, snacks, water, and chargers. The difference now is that she gets to carry her own purse again. Her kids are responsible for their own belongings. If they want to bring it, they carry it.
Terrin talks about the constant struggle of weather appropriate clothing and teaching natural consequences. Delainy does not need anything packed. Scarlett’s bag includes a pull up, extra clothes, wipes, noise canceling headphones, and a power bank. Snacks are always packed, especially because Terrin knows her own mood depends on it.
Public Transportation Adventures
Transportation brings out a lot of shared experiences. Kisha and Terrin both rely on Uber. Kisha has a lot of respect for parents navigating public transit with babies and strollers. She shares how when she lived in Baltimore, she and her partner were out the door at five in the morning with baby Xane, taking buses, walking to daycare, then catching another bus to work. They baby wore instead of using car seats. In San Antonio, they still use buses to get to the Y, even with a long walk to the stop, because it saves money.
Terrin has fewer options living on a dirt road and usually has to schedule rides ahead of time.
Both Kisha and Terrin share frightening moments where Uber drivers started to pull off before they were fully in the car with their children. Kisha explains that she always rides in the backseat and places the youngest in the middle. She recalls having to bang on windows when drivers moved too soon. Terrin shares a similar experience where a driver began to leave while she was still folding her cane, with Scarlett and Delainy already inside.
Josselyn explains her system with two heavy car seats and two kids close in age. One seat goes in, the older child gets buckled, then she sits in the middle with the second seat on her lap to buckle the younger child. Terrin did something similar, often wearing Scarlett to keep her hands free. They agree it is difficult at first but gets easier with repetition.
Practical Travel Solutions and Safety Measures
The leash conversation comes up and everyone agrees. Terrin fully supports leashes and says they used them longer than most people are comfortable with. They were necessary, especially with Scarlett’s autism and tendency to wander. Kisha agrees and talks about wrist leashes for Xania and a butterfly backpack leash for Xane. Blind parents cannot rely on visual check ins, so physical safety tools matter.
Communication is just as important. Kisha is clear with her kids that if they do not respond or check in, the outing ends. Terrin uses natural consequences the same way. Both talk about having very direct conversations with their kids about safety, staying close, and checking in. These habits stick, especially as children get older.
Air Travel Realities
Air travel gets its own section for good reason. Kisha shares that flying felt smoother when her kids were walking and not in strollers. Terrin talks about how Delainy navigates airports independently and how she is teaching Scarlett those same skills. Kisha’s eight year old also helps with navigation, building awareness along the way.
Kisha recounts traveling solo with Xania as a newborn and Xane as a toddler. She baby wore one and used a leash for the other, moved slowly, and stayed focused. She also shares a moment where airport staff offered her a wheelchair and Xane tried to push her, highlighting how quickly assumptions show up.
Josselyn reminds listeners that travel as a blind parent takes mental preparation and self encouragement. Starting small helps build confidence. Terrin adds that treats and new toys go a long way on flights.
Kisha explains how she and her partner usually split children when traveling together and rotate seating to avoid arguments. Snacks and electronics are always packed. She also shares a brutal flight where baby Xania got sick repeatedly, turning the trip into a full cleanup and creating a long lasting dislike of flying.
Terrin shares her motion sickness toolkit, including liquid IV, ginger, peppermint gum, green apples, non drowsy Dramamine, and scopolamine patches when needed.
Car seats come up next. Josselyn recommends seats without bases and lightweight options for ride share travel. Kisha remembers using carry bags and stresses researching newer options before buying.
Terrin recounts a difficult airport experience where staff insisted on pushing Scarlett’s wheelchair and separated her from her parents without consent. It escalated quickly and reinforced the need to advocate firmly. Kisha agrees and shares her own experiences with people trying to take her cane without asking.
Josselyn closes this section with a story from early parenthood when she accidentally packed all the diapers in checked luggage. The bus ride that followed was unforgettable for all the wrong reasons and cemented the importance of keeping essentials within reach.
Final Thoughts
The episode wraps with reminders to give yourself and your kids grace while traveling. Expectations matter. Your mood sets the tone. Kisha talks about positive self talk and breathing through stressful moments. Terrin encourages not letting small issues ruin the entire experience. What lasts are the memories, not the missteps.
The hosts close by inviting listeners to share their own travel tips, product suggestions, and experiences with the Babies Down, Bottles Up community.
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