Would you go on this trip?

[Anonymous]

We have become very friendly with two other families from DS’s school (we met last year in Pre K and now the kids are in K). The other two families planned a ski trip over MLK and invited us to come along... it’s at one of those places in the Poconos with skiing plus a water park and other kids activities. I think my 5yo will have an amazing time, but we also have a 15 month old and I am worried the trip will be miserable, mostly for me. The other families have older kids and their 5yos are the younger siblings.

My biggest concerns are that the baby still naps twice per day so I will likely be stuck back at the hotel while everyone else is out (i don’t really ski so makes more sense for DH to be out with DS). The baby, unfortunately, does not sleep well on the go. Second, the baby typically goes to sleep between 6:30-7pm and is a disaster if kept up later and I am not sure the others will be super into 5pm dinners since they usually eat later. And, 3 meals a day out at restaurants with a squirmy baby for 3 days does not seem like much fun.

So all said, I know I am making a case not to go, but is that crazy? I do think my older one will have a great time so do we suck it up and go for him?

[Anonymous]

Sure, go.

It's nice that these families reached out and invited you even though you have a little baby while their kids are older.

Send your husband out to go skiing with your older child. Stay back at the hotel with the toddler and just chill, read a book of binge Netflix or whatever you want to do.

Bring the baby to supper if it is early enough with the understanding that your husband will take him home when he gets cranky and put him to bed. You stay out later with the parents and 5 year olds. Your husband can catch up and have a drink with everyone later after the kids are all in bed.

You just need to take turns.

[Anonymous]

Nope

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have become very friendly with two other families from DS’s school (we met last year in Pre K and now the kids are in K). The other two families planned a ski trip over MLK and invited us to come along... it’s at one of those places in the Poconos with skiing plus a water park and other kids activities. I think my 5yo will have an amazing time, but we also have a 15 month old and I am worried the trip will be miserable, mostly for me. The other families have older kids and their 5yos are the younger siblings.

My biggest concerns are that the baby still naps twice per day so I will likely be stuck back at the hotel while everyone else is out (i don’t really ski so makes more sense for DH to be out with DS). The baby, unfortunately, does not sleep well on the go. Second, the baby typically goes to sleep between 6:30-7pm and is a disaster if kept up later and I am not sure the others will be super into 5pm dinners since they usually eat later. And, 3 meals a day out at restaurants with a squirmy baby for 3 days does not seem like much fun.

So all said, I know I am making a case not to go, but is that crazy? I do think my older one will have a great time so do we suck it up and go for him?

If I were you I would pick one adult to stay home with baby and one to take five year old. If you skied I would pick you but since you don't I would stay home. Either that or get someone you are comfortable with to watch the baby. I would probably pick the first choice honesty.

[Anonymous]

I would go but I would also try and get my 15mo on one nap a day by then. This is around the time they start switching from two naps to one.
I think eating dinner at 5/530 is fine too, have your younger one bathed and in jammies if necessary then do dinner and bed.

[Anonymous]

We did this with a 15 mo. I spent a lot of time with him at the water park. I only skied once even though I love skiing. Dh and I took turns staying home with baby. If it’s at all possible to get a kitchenette it will be easier.

[Anonymous]

I would not.

[Anonymous]

I would go but I like some alone time on trips and wouldn't mind having an excuse for some early nights and naptimes.
If you don't like that, trade off with DH, even though he is the skier, so what. Your kid can ski with the friends and you can chill having a cup of coffee or a spa or something. On the times when it's my turn to be with the baby, I would have some good shows downloaded, probably a book, and I would not feel the pressure to get stuff done like I do at home.

That said, what about just sending DH and the older child? Having only one child at home feels like a break to me, so I would enjoy that also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would go but I would also try and get my 15mo on one nap a day by then. This is around the time they start switching from two naps to one.
I think eating dinner at 5/530 is fine too, have your younger one bathed and in jammies if necessary then do dinner and bed.

Agree with the one nap. Play with 15 month old at the pool in the morning. Head for an early lunch at 11:15am and into the crib/pack n play by 11:45am. You’ll get a 2+ hour nap and time to yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would go but I like some alone time on trips and wouldn't mind having an excuse for some early nights and naptimes.
If you don't like that, trade off with DH, even though he is the skier, so what. Your kid can ski with the friends and you can chill having a cup of coffee or a spa or something. On the times when it's my turn to be with the baby, I would have some good shows downloaded, probably a book, and I would not feel the pressure to get stuff done like I do at home.

That said, what about just sending DH and the older child? Having only one child at home feels like a break to me, so I would enjoy that also.

I was thinking the same thing. I would find a good book or pick a movie to watch on my own every night, take a nap every day, get in a little QT with the kids where I am not cranky and trying to get 20 other things done. It sounds fantastic.

[Anonymous]

I’d probably send DH and DS, and I’d stay home with the baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d probably send DH and DS, and I’d stay home with the baby.

+1

It seems like you'd be apart from the group the whole time anyway, so why not just stay home? I'd have whichever parent doesn't ski stay home, so I'm not choosing you because you're the mom. (In my family I would be the one to go since I'm the bigger skier so my husband would be at home).

[Anonymous]

I would go. Having whole-family friends is really nice and going on this trip could help grow your friendship with these families. It's not like 5 year olds are eating dinner late or in fancy restaurants.

[Anonymous]

With the baby you would be staying at the lodge or in the room anyway. Why not go?

[Anonymous]

Of course I would go! Quiet times alone while the baby is napping and everyone else is out on the slopes sounds awesome! Make sure you trade off at least once so you can go out too.

When our kids were this age, we took them everywhere and did everything we could. If it worked out, great. If it didn't, we just went with the flow. There's nothing wrong with excusing yourself from a meal to go back to the room if that's what you need to do. Comes in handy if the company isn't all that great, too. Be sure to get the restaurant to package your meal to go, and get the heck out of there!

More often than not, activities worked out just fine. Don't let the baby keep you home.