Need encouragement/tips to travel with young kids...

[Anonymous]

Some kids are great travelers and some aren't. #1 was always an easy traveler. After DC#2 cried for 3 hours after a rest break on the way to the Outer Banks, and did the tantrum/back arch/wouldn't sit still thing on our last plane trip, we stopped taking trips any longer than 4 hours.
I rec. easy family destinations where you only unpack once and use the house as a base. Get a condo or small beach house or cabin thru Craig's list, a rental agency or VRBO so you'll have a kitchen, W/D etc. At least a one bedroom. My favorite is to find a place with a nice balcony view or screen porch where you can set up a monitor during naptime but still enjoy sitting around. We usually only do lunches out and cook or bring food home for dinner because of the toddler. A nearby playground is a nice distraction while the other person cooks or goes to get carryout. We carried a pac n' play and now book 2 BR w/twin beds or we bring toddler Aerobeds.
Hit the grocery store right after you get your unit and stock up on essentials (Cheerios, milk, extra diapers etc.)
We have had great success with the Sanibel area near Ft. Myer (short direct flight), local Delaware and Virginia beaches like Bethany and Chincoteague, Shenandoah lodges like Big Meadows, Williamsburg, and visiting friends and family. Baltimore was surprisingly fun for a weekend trip. We've used companies like TravelBabees in the San Fran area for supplies (box of toys, high chair, crib, car seat, and a pac n' play for an overnighter from our home base!) Last time we got so much stuff it cost more than our rental car.
Also heard good things from friends about Naples, Fla., the Rockies (Breckenridge, Estes Park), Cape Cod, and Tahoe for low stress family getaways. We are also thinking that Beaches resort would suit us with their kid's club.

[Anonymous]

Hilton Head is an easy destination with lots of condos and houses to choose from and a baby travel rental company can provide everything you need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And I agree - traveling with a 1-2 year old is the hardest!

I actually think it is the easiest time (all the gear excepted) - they're naturally curious and you can go anywhere, including more adult things. When they're older, they have minds of their own and you have to gear the trip more to their tastes (which isn't bad - just different).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And I agree - traveling with a 1-2 year old is the hardest!

I actually think it is the easiest time (all the gear excepted) - they're naturally curious and you can go anywhere, including more adult things. When they're older, they have minds of their own and you have to gear the trip more to their tastes (which isn't bad - just different).

I am the PP who originally said that, and what I meant was the actual "travel" portion of things. 1-2 year olds have no attention span, they don't want to sit still, they may be unreliable when it comes to napping in a weird place, they can't communicate if something is bothering them other than by crying...once you're AT your destination it's not quite as bad except for all the childproofing that you need to do because who knows where you'll be staying. But yes, activities with a 1-2 year old...nah, those suck too because you have to plan your day around naps, around where you can get a stroller, or if you aren't using a stroller, around how much your kid can really walk...I much prefer slightly older kids and am happy to gear vacations to their tastes. I don't expect "adult" vacations now that I have kids.