Mona Hovaizi is one of those people who really live life to the fullest. After having her first child and working full-time as a dentist in the Boston and Quincy areas, she could have easily settled into a comfortable routine. But Mona had other plans—plans to continue her love for travel and exploration, even with a baby in tow.
Mona Hovaizi grew up in Charlottesville, VA, and earned her dental degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston. Before dental school, Mona’s passion for traveling had already blossomed, having visited 13 countries while being a dental student. “I am fully aware of how unrealistic ‘think it and it just happens’ sounds, but once you believe something is your truth, you find ways to make it happen and find solutions to the problems that come in between you and your end goal, because you make it your only option,” she explains.
This mindset has served Mona well, even after becoming a mom. When she and her husband took their 3-month-old son on his first international trip, Mona was understandably nervous. “Where would he nap? Would he nap? Would the time change wreak havoc on our eating and sleeping schedule? Would everyone on the plane hate us if he cries?” Mona recalled. But through research and preparation, she realized there were solutions to every concern. “Low and behold our baby began adjusting to the changes. I can’t say that everything was perfect and easy, but I gained a sense of relief and excitement that traveling with a baby was definitely going to be possible!”
A newfound joy was born in Mona from that first trip. She’s now watched her son play in Caribbean waves, explore desert sand in the UAE, and say his first word “WOW” while gazing at dormant volcanoes in Spain’s Canary Islands – all before the age of 2. “I am forever grateful that I did not listen to my initial fears because now we have hit 22 countries at the age of 22 months and have made countless memories!”
Mona Hovaizi’s passion for travel with her little one inspired her to start the Instagram account “Little Feet Big Journey.” Her goal through this platform is to document their family travels. She aims to inspire other parents to embrace adventures despite having babies or toddlers with them. “Before having my son, I was told countless times that life as I knew it was over. Because of my love for travel, that was a tough pill to swallow. So, I made up my mind to challenge that idea and went abroad with my son anyway. Almost immediately, I realized my life was far from over, and in fact, a whole new chapter was starting.”
For Mona, that realization was transformative. “I began Little Feet Big Journey because I want that same revelation and mindset shift for every travel-loving parent. I now try to use that same way of thinking for other aspects of my life and encourage others to do the same. I remind myself that our realities really are in our own hands, and so many of our limitations are self-made.”
Through her social media channels, Mona Hovaizi shares a wealth of practical tips for parents new to traveling with babies. Her outlook on parenthood and travel is refreshingly real. “It’s about embracing the chaos, making beautiful memories, and knowing that every adventure, even with a baby, is a story waiting to be told and a memory to keep forever,” she explained.
Of course, juggling a full-time dental career, parenthood, and a growing travel brand is not an easy task. But Mona has found ways to make it work. “I am very fortunate to have always worked at incredible dental offices that support my love of traveling and allow me to create my own schedule,” she shared.
As for her next steps, Mona Hovaizi is set to launch her website “Little Feet Big Journey” which will give parents even more insights about traveling with children. “Website visitors can expect a deeper dive into all the topics we cover, like efficient packing lists for babies/toddlers, ideas for traveling with your baby from easy family outings to traveling halfway across the world, and the best items to take along with you to make your trip as simple as possible!” she shared excitedly.
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Mona is also developing a new product that aligns with her mission to support traveling parents. “While traveling with small kids IS possible, it isn’t without challenges. The upcoming product solves one of the biggest struggles I see parents face when leaving home with their kids, whether that’s taking them to a local restaurant or an entirely different continent.”
Looking ahead, Mona Hovaizi’s top goals for the next year include continuing to share her family’s adventures as an inspiration to others. “I want to arm [parents] with the confidence and resources (including our new product!) to get out there and see the world (or even a close-by adventure) with their families.”
Little Feet Big Journey will launch very soon. In the meantime, follow Mona Hovaizi on Instagram for beautiful captures and valuable parenting and travel tips.
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