From Our Flights to a Life Abroad

Hi, I’m Donetta, and this is my daughter, Maleah. Together we are A Girl and A Carry -On. What began with our first trip when she was one year old has grown into a life of travel and discovery.

The Big Leap: Moving Abroad to Thailand with My Daughter

In 2025, I moved abroad to Thailand with my 8-year-old daughter, As a solo mom, I learned firsthand the challenges of finding schools in Bangkok, navigating visas, and creating a new home overseas. Our story is proof that moving abroad with kids can be both possible and fulfilling. That’s why I created A Girl and A Carry-On -to share resources, relocation guides, and consultations that support other moms planning their own move abroad.

Our Travel Adventures Around the World

From Canada to Jamaica, Costa Rica to Japan, we’ve made memories in eight countries and counting. Each trip has shaped us and brought us closer together.

Why I Created A Girl and A Carry-On

This space is more than just a blog. It’s a resource for moms who are planning to move abroad with kids. Through guides, checklists, and one-on-one support, I help families move with confidence instead of confusion.

Start Planning Your Own Move Abroad

If you’re ready to begin your own journey, start with my Relocation Guides or book a one-on-one consultation . Let’s create a plan that makes your next move feel simple and possible.

Little Things That Make Us, Us

🌍 We’ve visited 8 countries together β€” and counting!

✈️ Our first flight together was to Canada when Maleah was just one year old.

🐘 The elephant experience in Thailand is one of our most unforgettable memories so far.

πŸ“Έ Donetta never travels without her camera. 🍿 Maleah never travels without snacks.

πŸŽ’ We each have our own carry-on… but somehow Maleah’s is always heavier.

🍜 We’ve learned to say β€œthank you” in five different languages β€” and we practice them at dinner.

πŸ“ We once changed our whole itinerary just to see a street market Maleah found on YouTube.

πŸ’¬ Our favorite part of traveling? Meeting locals and getting off the beaten path.