Staying afloat while raising a toddler is hard enough on dry land — this mama’s doing it on the high seas.
“We basically live on a on board ships while my fiancé is at work,” said Chelsea, a Scottish mom of a nearly 2-year-old tot named Mattia, in a trending tell-all about her atypical life on the waves.
She’s in the ever-expanding number of folks who’ve forgone the grass and ground for the motion of the ocean.
It’s a lifestyle that’s picked up steam over the past few years. Nonconformists of all ages are jumping ship from tradition — quitting their jobs and selling their homes — and becoming perpetual boat passengers.
But Chelsea, a bride-to-be engaged to Domenico, a professional seaman, explained that her little family only participates in the alternative lifestyle part-time. They actually own a home in Italy.
However, when Domenico is on duty, she and Mattia join him aboard, spending eight-week stretches on luxury liners, sailing around the world from shore to shore.
And sure, globetrotting via glammed-out tubs might sound like a dream — owing to the all-inclusive grub, splashy amenities —like free laundry — and child care centers. But Chelsea says rearing a little one in a cramped cabin can often be a nightmare.
“I was asked what it’s like managing space in a crew ship cabin with a toddler,” she ranted in a separate vid before giving over 129,000 TikTok viewers the grand tour of her tight accommodations.
She detailed her unending struggle to keep their close quarters clean while making sure Mattia has enough room to play, sleep and explore.
“The first giant burden is this travel cot,” she said of her kiddo’s portable crib. “Even though Mattia sometimes comes in our bed, some nights…the reason we have this [travel cot] is because at least we can have some part of the night where we’re not all crammed in the bed.”
Chelsea then gave online audiences a glimpse at their itty-bitty bathroom — outfitted with a small shower, sink, toilet and wall cabinet — where she’s barely able to store her son’s inflatable tub and the family’s toiletries.
A resourceful mother, Chelsea tried designating a corner for Mattia’s books and toys (rather than stuffing them under the bed to free up some extra space). But the baby rarely limits his play to the tiny nook.
The insufficient elbow room notwithstanding, Chelsea revealed that her trio enjoys complimentary laundering services while on the water. However, closet and storage space is sparse and difficult to keep organized. She houses her and Domenico’s bikinis and swim trunks, undies and socks in small drawers.
Mattia’s clothes, diapers and wipes have a special place in a cabinet-turned-wardrobe.
The seafaring fam also has a shelf dedicated to snacks and miscellaneous goodies, as well as a bite-sized refrigerator for cold drinks and bites.
“So, that’s how we manage our space as small as it is,” Chelsea said in conclusion, admitting that they’re “barely” in the room outside of bedtime — otherwise they’re hitting the pools, kiddie playgrounds, restaurants or sunning decks.
“I feel like a pro now. I feel like I know what I’m doing,” she bragged. “And that is La Cabina.”
“Stunning.”
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