People chastising me for skipping vacation with 7 month old

[Anonymous]

1) You need to grow thicker mom skin. Traveling with a baby isn’t for you. Great. That’s all you have to say.

2) Watch out to not have your responses be judgmental of other choices. “The baby’s needs come first” - no. The baby doesn’t need to travel or not travel. That decision is about the parents, either way.

3) I happen to agree with you. I have three kids. The oldest was born during covid. I traveled when my second was a baby and it was a huge mistake, in hindsight. I hated it. I learned my lesson, and with number 3, refused to travel or even spend a single night away from my bed for the first six months. So much better. I do find that traveling with an older baby is just fine, but YMMV.

On the other hand, I know someone who didn’t travel when their first was a newborn and really regretted it, and then took like a two month world tour basically when their 2nd was born. Sounded like torture to me but they had a wonderful time.

Know thyself.

4) Again, everyone is different, but there are people who find traveling with babies way easier than traveling with toddlers. Me, I’d rather take a two year old on four different ambitious trips than take a newborn an hour away for a single overnight, but that’s not a universal opinion. For me, traveling consistently gets better but some find you’re in a sweet spot now for travel and it will get worse once she’s mobile. So just make sure you’re thinking that through and aren’t missing your actual preferred travel window. (Though in my experience, everyone finds traveling with a 5+ to be easier than basically any stage before that).

[Anonymous]

You do you. Currently on a vacation with my 4 month old and 2.5 year old and all my siblings, their kids, my parents, cousins, etc. In only do road trips to avoid illness. Packing is a pain but all feels worth it to watch my kids play with their cousins and my oldest frequently references memories from last years trip ( she doesn't remember her first time). It isn't relaxing and I get why it's not your thing. But my 4 month old is by far easier than my 2.5 year old

[Anonymous]

Travelling with a baby is so much easier than with a toddler. But do what's best for your family.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous] I’m thinking maybe next summer when she’s older. I know it still won’t be perfect but it should be just a bit easier. [/quote]

I think you should do what works with you, but if this is your logic I will let you know that right now is the easiest travel will be until about 4. Next year will be the hardest for travel except for the very earliest weeks.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous] I’m thinking maybe next summer when she’s older. I know it still won’t be perfect but it should be just a bit easier. [/quote]

I think you should do what works with you, but if this is your logic I will let you know that right now is the easiest travel will be until about 4. Next year will be the hardest for travel except for the very earliest weeks.
[/quote]

+1

I think you should do what works for you, and you don’t need to apologize to anyone. That said, this age is the easiest it will be for travel until your child is 3 or 4 (depends on the kid)- with toddlers being the most challenging. Just something to keep in mind.

[Anonymous]

I'll admit I don't have kids but I don't think you are crazy AT ALL.

When I see parents traveling with babies and toddlers, I just think, "Man, that looks like hell."

[Anonymous]

OP - your baby, your rules.

Ignore people/family etc. Just do what you think is best to protect your baby and your peace of mind.

Yes, you can travel every where with the baby, and yes, you can choose to stay at home and have a smooth pace.

Your choice. You know your baby best. Your instincts are correct.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely your choice but I have three kids and I personally think ~18 months is the nightmare travel age. Infants travel easiest and they start to get easier to travel with again sometime after age 2.

[Anonymous]

You certainly dont have to travel and it would only be for your benefit, not hers. But travel at that age is better than it will be a year from now. Babies adapt easier than toddlers and require less things.

I didnt travel until my youngest was 4 because it just wasnt worth it to me. And if that's you as well, that's OK. But this summer is probably your best window if you do want to travel over the next few years.

[Anonymous]

I guess you are prepared not to travel for the next 5 years, because traveling with kids will only get harder until they reach around 5 or so. Under 1 is so easy in hindsight. Even easier when they can't move but you are already past that golden phase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe they are trying to tell you that traveling with a baby can be easier than traveling with a toddler.

I think it’s this…once your baby starts walking flying is way more annoying and you have to baby proof any place you stay

[Anonymous]

I think OP is saying her baby is an angel and best baby ever because people who want her to take the baby on a vacation are probably using the baby's easy going nature as a reason to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're not crazy, but you sure are annoying.

+1 truly there is NOBODY who cares whether or not you took a vacation. They are just making polite conversation.

[Anonymous]

At that age, traveling with my son was easy. He slept most of the flight and was content in the seat. He enjoyed looking at art or nature from his stroller but didn’t yet want to run around and touch everything. The only challenging part at that stage was making sure we packed enough formula or knew for sure we could get our brand from a store at our destination. Next year this time will be 1000% more challenging for air travel. Not impossible, but it won’t feel like a vacation by any means.

[Anonymous]

Lots of my friends didn't want to travel with new babies. You don't need to justify your choice, but you'd reasons are all valid. I didn't enjoy traveling until my kids were at least 3.