Family suggesting vacation to exotic places with 14 month old

[Anonymous]

My family is pressuring me to take a vacation with them when DS will be 14 months old. They are suggesting places like India, Costa Rica, and South Africa, as if they have never been around a toddler before.

Am I wrong in thinking that this is a horrible idea?

[Anonymous]

Do they not understand just how much crap you have to take with you?

[Anonymous]

For some people exotic travel works just fine. It doesn't sound fun to me, but I realize I'm not everyone.

So if it doesn't sound fun to you, just say that. And suggest somewhere that would appeal to them, but also maybe work for you and your kid. Or skip this trip.

[Anonymous]

It is a horrible idea, OP.

[Anonymous]

Of those options, Costa Rica might be Ok. Are they footing the bill? Costa Rica can be a direct flight from here, same time zone and pretty low key and safe.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Costa Rica would be a fantastic place to take a 14 month old! India and South Africa are too long a flight although what great places to take your child when she is a little older! Imagine going to South Africa and seeing giraffes for the first time in the wild... Wow...

Costa Rica is magnificent. Your baby will have a great time.

[Anonymous]

To me, it sound rather unappealing to spend all that money on an exotic vacation and have to cater to a toddler. The only exception would be if you have family to visit in one of those countries, but I'm guessing you don't. I wouldn't want to put a 14 mo old on malaria medicine, so I'd nix those places. Look into any shots required to travel to a particular country and see if your 14 mo old will be covered.

Also, 14 mo is a hard time to travel IMO. They're newly walking or about to walk and want to be mobile. It's hard to keep them contained on long flights. I preferred travel with babies before they crawl or after about 2.5 or 3, when they're interested in shows or apps.

[Anonymous]

I would totally do Costa Rica. I would skip the others because of travel time

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

Sounds horrid.

[Anonymous]

I've taken both my kids to India at under a year old. Though we stay with family there, which makes things a bit easier.

I think what this comes down to is your comfort level. I know Indian people who would not be comfortable making the trip I made, and I personally would probably have been uncomfortable making the trip 13:23 made.

So, it's not an objectively "horrible idea", but it might be one for you. Do what you're comfortable with. Traveling anywhere with a 14 month old has many challenges. Only you can know if the exotic destination will make those challenges worthwhile. For me, visiting family and having my kids meet their great-grandmother was worth it. For me, visiting an exotic location for its own sake would probably not be worth the hassle.

[Anonymous]

To me this sounds awful. Not worth the vacation time and certainly not worth the money. Even if you have a laid back 14 month old who wont scream at sitting in a stroller on your outings, you will still be confined to the hotel room for naps and early bedtime. I'd skip this year.

[Anonymous]

Some might enjoy it. If you wouldn't, then you say, that's not going to work for us. So sorry. Enjoy it!

[Anonymous]

I am sure many people would be comfortable taking a 14 month old those places, but if you are not interested, you'll just have to suggest other options. I do not particularly enjoy traveling with toddlers that are who are just learning to walk and figuring out appropriate foods in different cultures etc. Nothing wrong with doing what makes you comfortable. So encourage them to go to Africa without you, or lost a couple places you think would be better suited for your family. Your kiddo is very young, you'll need to get used to standing up for them and your little family.