Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Buhr.
Erin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
19 years ago, I fell in love with a guy who would end up moving us all over, 17 years ago, I became an educator, eight years ago, I became a twin mom, and five years ago, I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. I think those all equally altered my path and led me to where I am today. My experiences living in different places, my training and education, my work experience, my mom experience, and my diagnosis all affect my perspective on the world and my work. One thing led to another and today, I’m a published author of a book for teachers and parents of toddlers and a blogger who focuses on adventures with kids (including one with a severe food allergy) and Cystic Fibrosis.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth? No! If you had asked me twenty years ago what I’d be doing today, I would have told you that I would be a first-grade teacher in the Midwest. Moving, twins, having CF – those have all taught me that you can’t predict what the world is going to hand you. I think my biggest advice is to absolutely have a plan, but be willing to change it. Take the twists and turns life brings and let them shape you. Learn from them, adapt, and make a new plan.
Please tell us about what you do.
I started my blog, Bambini Travel, about five years ago. I strongly believe that real life experiences – both big and small – are invaluable for kids and really, for all people. The blog has followed us from the Midwest to the Deep South to the East Coast and out here to the West Coast. After writing about little adventures and bigger travels with my twins for a few years I wrote and published a book, LITTLE WALKS BIG ADVENTURES, with Gryphon House. It focuses on field trips and learning activities for children three and under.
Since beginning my blog I have also been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis and my son was diagnosed with a severe food allergy. These things both shape our daily life and our travels so they have been infused into our stories. Even though I resist these two things defining us, there is no doubt they have changed my perspective on the world and travel. My hope is that in sharing how we overcome our family struggles others will be encouraged to get outside or travel more with their kids and their obstacles too.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
I have boy/girl twins and what I tell both of my kids is that if they show up, work hard and are polite and respectful to others then they can do whatever they want to do. As people, we all have individual strengths and weaknesses and those are unique to who we are regardless of gender.
Growing up my mom was a brilliant attorney and my dad stayed home with me and my siblings and later was a second-grade teacher. They both showed me that gender is irrelevant in determining what you do with your life. Later, I went to an all-girls high school in Milwaukee where the idea that women are unstoppable was once again reinforced. Finding what you’re good at, pursuing your interests, working hard every day, and always looking for opportunities to learn and grow are what lead to success. I believe that women are well positioned for whatever they set their minds to accomplishing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.erinbuhr.com and www.bambinitravel.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: erin.bambinitravel.com
Image Credit:
Erin Buhr
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