Family suggesting vacation to exotic places with 14 month old

[Anonymous]

I have family members who took their little kid on exotic trips and had the attitude of "why change our life style because of the kid?" They got traveling down to an art, put up with a lot of crap that would have annoyed me (like hiring sitters in foreign countries who barely spoke the same language). They are fine and their kid is fine--even after a case of malaria.
Anyway my point is it can be done, some people like to do it, but if you're only going to India once in your life, do you really want it to be with your 14 month old?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We took our then 14 month old to Cuba last March. It was a great trip and she did great. So glad we went. We geared a number of activities to her - visits to farms and the beaches - but also just took her in the portable stroller to see the sights with us! We visited a school where she danced with the "big kids" and was in her glory. Our tour guide graciously invited us over to his house and DD played with his toddler.

We were careful with water but DD loved the food - everything was so fresh and local. She became obsessed with rice and beans and chicken. She obviously heard a lot of Spanish which was good for her, too.

So, yes - I might be a crazy adventurer but I believe in travel as a way of broadening a child's mind and starting travel very young so they learn to deal with flights, waiting, and a world not made just for them.

We brought a full extra suitcase of diapers, snacks (although we never used them and ended up leaving them there), a few books and her travel stroller. No need for a car seat in Cuba since the cars don't have seatbelts.

Hahahaha this is precious. Bless your heart, PP.

This is so great. Thanks for the laugh, PP. I love the idea of you guys smugly patting yourselves on the back for being so adventurous to take your kid to Cuba and for all the benefits she will reap for the exposure to a different language and culture.


Ha. Larla learned sooooo much on our trip to Cuba!

[Anonymous]

Stick to your guns, OP. You know you'll be the one sitting bored in a hotel room while your kid naps and everyone else is out having fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We took our then 14 month old to Cuba last March. It was a great trip and she did great. So glad we went. We geared a number of activities to her - visits to farms and the beaches - but also just took her in the portable stroller to see the sights with us! We visited a school where she danced with the "big kids" and was in her glory. Our tour guide graciously invited us over to his house and DD played with his toddler.

We were careful with water but DD loved the food - everything was so fresh and local. She became obsessed with rice and beans and chicken. She obviously heard a lot of Spanish which was good for her, too.

So, yes - I might be a crazy adventurer but I believe in travel as a way of broadening a child's mind and starting travel very young so they learn to deal with flights, waiting, and a world not made just for them.

We brought a full extra suitcase of diapers, snacks (although we never used them and ended up leaving them there), a few books and her travel stroller. No need for a car seat in Cuba since the cars don't have seatbelts.

Hahahaha this is precious. Bless your heart, PP.

This is so great. Thanks for the laugh, PP. I love the idea of you guys smugly patting yourselves on the back for being so adventurous to take your kid to Cuba and for all the benefits she will reap for the exposure to a different language and culture.


Ha. Larla learned sooooo much on our trip to Cuba!

Not learned - heard. Stop being so jealous and petty, PP. The first PP had a great trip with her baby. That's all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have always loved to travel and so does DH. Taking our then baby - now 11 year old to exotic places has always been a part of her life. We were in Kenya when she was 12 months old, Iceland when she was two. Scotland, the northern isles, pretty much every year. China when she was 3. (amazing trip). She is a comfortable and happy traveler which is exactly what we wanted for her. Every year we plan an abroad trip. Lived in Austria for two years when she was 7 to 9 where she attended local German-speaking school. We are going to Senegal in August this year.

But you do what feels most comfortable for you and your family, OP. Travel isn't for everyone, I know. But Costa Rica is lovely and a great place to take a baby/toddler.

Does anyone else find posts like this to be bit classist?

"Travel isn't for everyone, I know". Rolling my eyes hard at this. You mean like people who don't have as much money as you? My family is fortunate enough that DH and I earn enough money that we can take international trips regularly, but so many people love to travel and cannot afford to. You sound incredibly unaware, PP, or perhaps knowingly elitist.

Some people just prioritize travel. My sister has never owned her own home and works like a dog but she and her husband and kids have been to every continent and places I have only dreamed about. Travel is not important to some people. I get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have family members who took their little kid on exotic trips and had the attitude of "why change our life style because of the kid?" They got traveling down to an art, put up with a lot of crap that would have annoyed me (like hiring sitters in foreign countries who barely spoke the same language). They are fine and their kid is fine--even after a case of malaria.
Anyway my point is it can be done, some people like to do it, but if you're only going to India once in your life, do you really want it to be with your 14 month old?

If that is the only change we had to go - yes. Although I would push for Costa Rica if I were OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am not enthusiastic about it. My family has a way of badgering me into spending time with them.

This is the crux of the issue. You have a long road ahead of you if you are unable to defend your parenting decisions to your family now. You just say no and hang up the phone if they "badger" you about it. They can't badger you onto an airplane without your consent, so the only thing you're risking here is hurt feelings and guilt trips. Be prepared, because if you're family is like mine those will come no matter what you do. If you go on the trip and opt to skip an afternoon outing because of your kid's nap, you'll also get guilt trips etc.

This has to be a "you do you" situation. I can't imagine a better example of one. "Mom, Dad, I don't want to take Larlo on an international vacation this year. It's just more than I want to manage, and the trip won't be fun for me." Don't make it be about your kid (who might turn out to travel well) or anything else. You don't want to do this; and you have the right not to want to do something. If you want to take a domestic vcataion with your family, suggest something you'd be comfortable with. Otherwise, suggest that you'll consider a more far-flung trip next year or whenever you will be comfortable with.

[Anonymous]

We travel a lot and our kids have been good with it. Our easiest trip was Japan - but that is because it was so welcoming of kids. Luckily our kids sleep on airplanes and we are all pretty adaptable. One of the worst trips was just to the Outer Banks as it was just so hot and our then baby decided sand was the devil's revenge. We left day 4 of a 7 day trip. If your IL's are the kind of people who embrace that everyone is in the trip together and help out - wherever you go could be amazing. If they are resentful that try as you might Larla has a diaper blow out just as they were expecting you down in the lobby - then it wouldn't matter how exotic trip was - travel will be stressful. My parents and IL's- when we travel with them have been easy to go with - to a point. If you have always like travel I don't think having a baby means you need to stop you just need to know it will be different

[Anonymous]

Our kids traveled to multiple places in the US, Caribbean and Europe before they turned 1. It isn't always super easy but young kids can be great travelers and in some ways it's easier to go when they're young, don't have constrained schedules, don't whine or have opinions about activities and generally can be carried or strollered everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, you are never "wrong" for thinking - whatever -
Stop believing you need a reason to say no
Stop believing you will need to justify, explain or convince
re: whatever decision you make - about anything.
Always - you are allowed a preference.

Can you tell my dad that?

You're a mom now. You're going to have to grow a backbone and stand up for what you think is best for you and your child.

[Anonymous]

I would go to Costa Rica!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he's still napping 2 a day...no way I'd spend that kind of money to be stuck in a hotel room

You aren't as rich as many of us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he's still napping 2 a day...no way I'd spend that kind of money to be stuck in a hotel room

You aren't as rich as many of us.

What an unbecoming look, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he's still napping 2 a day...no way I'd spend that kind of money to be stuck in a hotel room

You aren't as rich as many of us.

What an unbecoming look, PP.

+1

[Anonymous]

If you don't want to go just tell your parents/family that you don't want to go.

But please don't miss out on a great vacation just because you have a 14 month old. We hauled my kids all over from 6 months until now (11 and 9) and it always fine and fun. If you are going with family, maybe some could give you and DH a break with childcare and have a few nights out on your own.

I would say Costa Rica is perfect for your DC at this age - an easy flight and a very beautiful, fun place for everyone.