Plans to go to Europe with 12-month-old not going to work... what would you do?

[Anonymous]

9-18 months is the WORST age to travel with kids on long haul flights.

I had a horrible trip to Europe with my son when he was 9 months. Didn't help that United f&cked up and the bassinet didn't fit our bulkhead. So he had to sleep in our arms. I won't lie, I'd never do that again, but your kids will sleep on the way over, not on the way back. So it's easier going that returning.

[Anonymous]

I would just go anyway with her. Screaming on one flight doesn’t mean it will happen again.

Otherwise, pay the $300 cancellation fee (or whatever it is).

[Anonymous]

OP my DS screamed for an entire flight once and by the end my nerves were so shot I thought I was going to lose my mind. Everyone has different tolerance levels I guess, and I'm with you that I would not want to bring my DD on the trip.

How far away is her grandparent's house?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you bring the grandparents with you to Europe? We went to Paris with our then 15 month old and brought my parents. It was awesome. Flight was surprisingly fine - she slept the whole time on the way there. Way back sucked but it was one finite period of time. She adjusted to the time change no issues.

If not, I’d drop off DD with your parents. Seems crazy to introduce a new caretaker for a week and it’ll cost more than just getting her to grandparents (although annoying they won’t come to you!)

Grandparents wouldn't come, and frankly, I wouldn't want them to join. My parents are difficult, and when I vacationed with them with DD but without DH they didn't help change a single diaper. They watched her while I packed, but that was pretty much it. This was after they begggggggggged me to join them. Other grandparents can't join, either. They don't want to be away from home.

I mean... they don't actually have to do anything. It's your kid!

My parents always say they're done raising kids. It's my turn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP my DS screamed for an entire flight once and by the end my nerves were so shot I thought I was going to lose my mind. Everyone has different tolerance levels I guess, and I'm with you that I would not want to bring my DD on the trip.

How far away is her grandparent's house?

New Hampshire. If they lived in Philadelphia or someplace like that, I could see just driving up there, but Manchester is definitely a place we would need to fly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you bring the grandparents with you to Europe? We went to Paris with our then 15 month old and brought my parents. It was awesome. Flight was surprisingly fine - she slept the whole time on the way there. Way back sucked but it was one finite period of time. She adjusted to the time change no issues.

If not, I’d drop off DD with your parents. Seems crazy to introduce a new caretaker for a week and it’ll cost more than just getting her to grandparents (although annoying they won’t come to you!)

Grandparents wouldn't come, and frankly, I wouldn't want them to join. My parents are difficult, and when I vacationed with them with DD but without DH they didn't help change a single diaper. They watched her while I packed, but that was pretty much it. This was after they begggggggggged me to join them. Other grandparents can't join, either. They don't want to be away from home.

I mean... they don't actually have to do anything. It's your kid!

My parents always say they're done raising kids. It's my turn.

And now I won't expect them to do anything, but it also means that they are going to miss out on opportunities to see their grandkids. That's why they aren't an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP my DS screamed for an entire flight once and by the end my nerves were so shot I thought I was going to lose my mind. Everyone has different tolerance levels I guess, and I'm with you that I would not want to bring my DD on the trip.

How far away is her grandparent's house?

New Hampshire. If they lived in Philadelphia or someplace like that, I could see just driving up there, but Manchester is definitely a place we would need to fly.

Ha! I just moved back from Manchester.

1. Benadryl to put her to sleep. Been there, done that, not ashamed. It needed to happen with a 14 hr flight. She still didn't sleep the whole way, but this was to Asia. If it was Europe, she could have.

2. Time her sleep schedules with your flight. Meaning for us, I kept my DD up extra the day/night before so she'd be tired on the flight. Worked for her temperament. May or may not work for yours.

3. For the love of God, no yogurt/fruit packets anytime within 24 hrs before flight. In flight diaper changes is terrible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP my DS screamed for an entire flight once and by the end my nerves were so shot I thought I was going to lose my mind. Everyone has different tolerance levels I guess, and I'm with you that I would not want to bring my DD on the trip.

How far away is her grandparent's house?

New Hampshire. If they lived in Philadelphia or someplace like that, I could see just driving up there, but Manchester is definitely a place we would need to fly.

Ha! I just moved back from Manchester.

1. Benadryl to put her to sleep. Been there, done that, not ashamed. It needed to happen with a 14 hr flight. She still didn't sleep the whole way, but this was to Asia. If it was Europe, she could have.

2. Time her sleep schedules with your flight. Meaning for us, I kept my DD up extra the day/night before so she'd be tired on the flight. Worked for her temperament. May or may not work for yours.

3. For the love of God, no yogurt/fruit packets anytime within 24 hrs before flight. In flight diaper changes is terrible.

What is the Benedryl dosage for a 22-pounder?

[Anonymous]

Are there any options to hire a nanny in Europe for a few afternoons/evenings ( or heck, even every afternoon/day!!) to give you a break? If yes, I’d arrange that.

If not, then I’d cancel, though it would KILL me to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:. She had to skip nap time, and is the kind of kid that rolls around her crib to fall asleep. Can't do that on a plane.

Upgrade to business class. Plenty of room to roll around and more comfortable for everyone. Plus alcohol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:. She had to skip nap time, and is the kind of kid that rolls around her crib to fall asleep. Can't do that on a plane.

Upgrade to business class. Plenty of room to roll around and more comfortable for everyone. Plus alcohol.

If you're considering the expense of flying to grandma's or a week of nanny (min. 250/day for 24-hour care with anyone you'd trust), then buy the kid a ticket so she can sleep in her car seat.

And yes, you'd need to pay the nanny all day, b/c she'd have to be available if daycare called and she was sick, there was a snow day, etc..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:. She had to skip nap time, and is the kind of kid that rolls around her crib to fall asleep. Can't do that on a plane.

Upgrade to business class. Plenty of room to roll around and more comfortable for everyone. Plus alcohol.

Yeah, I'm concerned about spending $900 to avoid taking DD with me. Business class would cost way more than that, and I would potentially ruin a flight for people that spent a lot of money. No thanks.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and my family medicine doc mom friend also recommends benadryl when needed for sleep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, and my family medicine doc mom friend also recommends benadryl when needed for sleep.

I can't find dosage info. Maybe I will call pediatrician to see if they can tell me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, and my family medicine doc mom friend also recommends benadryl when needed for sleep.

I can't find dosage info. Maybe I will call pediatrician to see if they can tell me.

Careful with the Benadryl. It makes about 10% of kids hyper. Try it out before the plane.