Have I lost my mind? A big trip with a 2 year old
Jun 21st, 2010, 12:31 AM
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Have I lost my mind? A big trip with a 2 year old
Hi all
I need some reassurance, or alternatively confirmation I am insane and I should scale things down considerably.
Before having our little girl (currently 15 months old) we did lots of long haul trips. One of our favourite destinations is Hawaii (we are in the UK). We just love it and are hankering to go back. So we are considering doing this next spring when our little girl will be 2. Added to the mix is that my brother and sister in law have just moved to Washington, D.C. so stopping over to see them on the way would be nice. So the trip pans out as being London to D.C. for one week, flying onto Hawaii for a week to two weeks, probably just staying on Oahu, and then flying back to London possibly with a couple of nights somewhere in the mainland US to break the journey.
Is such a schedule insane? This summer we have done a road trip to France and Spain, involving a long ferry crossing, and it all went really well. But this would be a really long journey, and we have never flown with our little girl yet.
An alternative is to keep things much closer to D.C. and spend some time there with our family and then go onto to a destination that is closer. But I am not sure where.
Any advice/suggestions gratefully received!
I need some reassurance, or alternatively confirmation I am insane and I should scale things down considerably.
Before having our little girl (currently 15 months old) we did lots of long haul trips. One of our favourite destinations is Hawaii (we are in the UK). We just love it and are hankering to go back. So we are considering doing this next spring when our little girl will be 2. Added to the mix is that my brother and sister in law have just moved to Washington, D.C. so stopping over to see them on the way would be nice. So the trip pans out as being London to D.C. for one week, flying onto Hawaii for a week to two weeks, probably just staying on Oahu, and then flying back to London possibly with a couple of nights somewhere in the mainland US to break the journey.
Is such a schedule insane? This summer we have done a road trip to France and Spain, involving a long ferry crossing, and it all went really well. But this would be a really long journey, and we have never flown with our little girl yet.
An alternative is to keep things much closer to D.C. and spend some time there with our family and then go onto to a destination that is closer. But I am not sure where.
Any advice/suggestions gratefully received!
Jun 21st, 2010, 08:03 AM
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I wouldn't say that you have lost your mind, but I don't think the trip is realistic. We spend several weeks a year in Hawaii and when the kids came it was tough. The things that you enjoyed about Hawaii are really not a great plan for such a young child. It is just too much sun. You will end up taking turns in the hotel/condo because you don't want your little one ending up with skin cancer. The fun, nice restaurants aren't so fun with a little one whose time zones are really messed up. I think that it is way too far to travel with a child that age.
I agree that in a couple of years it would be a much better trip.
There is a lot to see and do in the DC area.
You could head down the Eastern Seaboard to the Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach area for some beautiful beaches. Annapolis and Baltimore are good day trips. DC has an incredible zoo.
Don't underestimate the difficulties of flying with a little one especially with so many time zone changes. Plus it is different when you have to carry all of the "stuff" that goes along with taking a child. She will also be at the age where she doesn't want to sit for a long plane ride. DC to Hawaii is 10 hours.
I think just getting her to DC will be a major victory! It will get easier with time.
I agree that in a couple of years it would be a much better trip.
There is a lot to see and do in the DC area.
You could head down the Eastern Seaboard to the Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach area for some beautiful beaches. Annapolis and Baltimore are good day trips. DC has an incredible zoo.
Don't underestimate the difficulties of flying with a little one especially with so many time zone changes. Plus it is different when you have to carry all of the "stuff" that goes along with taking a child. She will also be at the age where she doesn't want to sit for a long plane ride. DC to Hawaii is 10 hours.
I think just getting her to DC will be a major victory! It will get easier with time.
Jun 22nd, 2010, 12:30 AM
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Thankyou for your responses! I am certainly rethinking this now.
The main point that Lynnaustin picks up on that worries me is the jet lag (we find the 11 hr time difference tough enough) and we would probably have adjusted and then it would be time to leave! The heat is a worry too, but we have adapted our travel style to be slower, and we spend the money we used to use for eating out on a vacation rental in a great location with a view, because we know we'll spend alot more time in our accommodation! We were in France this year during a very hot spell and we spent alot of time on our terrace whilst our little girl slept and it was lovely!
Thanks for the suggestions of places on the east coast. Ideally, we'd like somewhere coastal, and scenic, with pleasant weather in April/early May. I will look into the areas you mention Lynnaustin. We've done Miami and the keys - in September though - and it was so hot - much worse than Hawaii! - are temperature alot better in the spring? Any particular area you would recommend?
The main point that Lynnaustin picks up on that worries me is the jet lag (we find the 11 hr time difference tough enough) and we would probably have adjusted and then it would be time to leave! The heat is a worry too, but we have adapted our travel style to be slower, and we spend the money we used to use for eating out on a vacation rental in a great location with a view, because we know we'll spend alot more time in our accommodation! We were in France this year during a very hot spell and we spent alot of time on our terrace whilst our little girl slept and it was lovely!
Thanks for the suggestions of places on the east coast. Ideally, we'd like somewhere coastal, and scenic, with pleasant weather in April/early May. I will look into the areas you mention Lynnaustin. We've done Miami and the keys - in September though - and it was so hot - much worse than Hawaii! - are temperature alot better in the spring? Any particular area you would recommend?
Jun 22nd, 2010, 07:01 AM
#6
I'm not an expert on Florida, I also have only been to Miami and thru the Keys.
You might want to start a new thread on the U.S. forum, with that question (it's kind of hidden here under Travel Tips and about a different topic)... for advice on the weather and tips on particular towns or beaches. I just know there's places people rent cottages, etc. maybe a small town on the Gulf side?
You might want to start a new thread on the U.S. forum, with that question (it's kind of hidden here under Travel Tips and about a different topic)... for advice on the weather and tips on particular towns or beaches. I just know there's places people rent cottages, etc. maybe a small town on the Gulf side?
Jul 16th, 2010, 10:05 AM
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Have you considered Maine? It's not beachy, but very, very coastal. The best travel times are August and September, but May might be nice as well. Rent a house from Homeaway.com in one of a million little coastal towns. We like Boothbay Harbor. Our daughter has been at 6 months and is going back this year at 18 months. We love it!
Jul 19th, 2010, 04:26 PM
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I agree this is overly ambitious right now. But for future reference, since you like the beach, I'd look at purchasing some of the UV blocking swimwear and other beach attire available for children. If you use that and high SPF sunscreen along with good judgement about time in the sun and hydration, you can have great beach vacations with your little one. Happy travels!
Jul 20th, 2010, 03:53 AM
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Thanks for the recent replies! I have considered Maine, but I am wondering how warm it would be in May...
We are covered (no pun intended) on the UV swimwear, our little girl is living it in whilst out in our garden this summer! Thanks for the tip
We are covered (no pun intended) on the UV swimwear, our little girl is living it in whilst out in our garden this summer! Thanks for the tip
Jul 20th, 2010, 04:01 AM
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Perhaps I should update on our current thinking. We are thinking of going to Key West.
I have heard many for/against arguments re KW with a toddler, but it seems the type of place that would suit us - we never made it on our previous keys trip. We would rent a condo or a house with our extended family (brother & sister in law + toddler) who may come along too.
Then we might go to a quiet beach town in Florida to chill out before flying home from Miami or Orlando.
I have heard many for/against arguments re KW with a toddler, but it seems the type of place that would suit us - we never made it on our previous keys trip. We would rent a condo or a house with our extended family (brother & sister in law + toddler) who may come along too.
Then we might go to a quiet beach town in Florida to chill out before flying home from Miami or Orlando.
Jul 21st, 2010, 06:43 PM
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Hi optimystic,
You can do it, just know what sort of limits you have and be prepared with lots of distractors for your child. Travel short distances when you child is fresh, or late at night, so that she is asleep when the stress is happening. Take it slow for most of your trip and be prepared to do less. Beaches are good for little kids, especially in the early morning when sun is less harsh, or late afternoon, when there is also less sun. Keep some things familiar (favourite toys, food, drinks) and try to maintain the same routine you would have at home.
Good luck!
Lavandula
You can do it, just know what sort of limits you have and be prepared with lots of distractors for your child. Travel short distances when you child is fresh, or late at night, so that she is asleep when the stress is happening. Take it slow for most of your trip and be prepared to do less. Beaches are good for little kids, especially in the early morning when sun is less harsh, or late afternoon, when there is also less sun. Keep some things familiar (favourite toys, food, drinks) and try to maintain the same routine you would have at home.
Good luck!
Lavandula
Jul 26th, 2010, 06:15 PM
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Enjoy! I think Key West will be fine for a toddler. They're so oblivious & self focused at that age she won't be scarred even if you walk past every drag bar in the evening
Just to give you some hope, every kid is different. If yours is used to traveling even short distances that will help immensely. The more they travel the better they are at it I believe. I have a 4 year old who is an amazing traveler and would have been fine on a flight halfway around the world even at age 2 (she was great on an all day trip across the country involving three planes at that age). Her sister who just turned 2 however is a terror with travel, very active and has no interest in watching DVDs or movies on the ipod. So she requires extra packing, extra snacks, extra attention, extra thought and bribes for the people sitting around us... Just plan for the worst and you may find that you didn't need to worry about a thing.
Just to give you some hope, every kid is different. If yours is used to traveling even short distances that will help immensely. The more they travel the better they are at it I believe. I have a 4 year old who is an amazing traveler and would have been fine on a flight halfway around the world even at age 2 (she was great on an all day trip across the country involving three planes at that age). Her sister who just turned 2 however is a terror with travel, very active and has no interest in watching DVDs or movies on the ipod. So she requires extra packing, extra snacks, extra attention, extra thought and bribes for the people sitting around us... Just plan for the worst and you may find that you didn't need to worry about a thing.
Sep 4th, 2010, 01:23 PM
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As in so many other aspects of travel and of dealing with children, difficulties are as much created in your own mind as real. My boy had visited 20 countries before he was eight, and had notched up three trans-Atlantic return trips by the time he was two (and on two of them I took him solo). With a starting point of North America, these trips included extensive driving around Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on one occasion; extensive driving around the UK and a side trip around Belgium on another. I've forgotten the details of the other, but I think it involved the UK and Holland. My daughter, now three, had also done multiple long-distance trips by the age of three, including UK and Jordan; UK, Bulgaria, and Romania; and UK and South Africa.
Of course, children vary, but they also feed off your own fears. So just proceed as normal without making a fuss about anything.
Taking late afternoon or early evening flights in each direction I have always found my infants slept most of the flight, and didn't need distracting for long. Always-dreadful Air Canada didn't offer in-seat video then, and now it does I find that a more than adequate distraction (probably helped by the fact that we don't have a television at home). The problem with jetlag has always been not with the children, who seem to adapt almost immediately, but with the parents who (especially me, who never sleeps on planes) need to remember to have patience with lively children when themselves feeling exhausted and irritable.
We just completed a trip with the three-year-old which began with a taxi ride, a six-hour bus journey, another 30-min taxi, a four-hour airport wait, an overnight ten-hour flight, a two-hour airport wait, another five-hour flight, and another taxi. It was the parents who felt the strain; the children slept on the overnight flight, napped a little on the following daytime one, and were as bouncy as can be on arrival.
I'd agree with breaking the journey if you can, as we did in the UK before proceeding to South Africa, for instance. But even without breaking it I can't see why Hawaii from the UK would be a problem.
Of course, children vary, but they also feed off your own fears. So just proceed as normal without making a fuss about anything.
Taking late afternoon or early evening flights in each direction I have always found my infants slept most of the flight, and didn't need distracting for long. Always-dreadful Air Canada didn't offer in-seat video then, and now it does I find that a more than adequate distraction (probably helped by the fact that we don't have a television at home). The problem with jetlag has always been not with the children, who seem to adapt almost immediately, but with the parents who (especially me, who never sleeps on planes) need to remember to have patience with lively children when themselves feeling exhausted and irritable.
We just completed a trip with the three-year-old which began with a taxi ride, a six-hour bus journey, another 30-min taxi, a four-hour airport wait, an overnight ten-hour flight, a two-hour airport wait, another five-hour flight, and another taxi. It was the parents who felt the strain; the children slept on the overnight flight, napped a little on the following daytime one, and were as bouncy as can be on arrival.
I'd agree with breaking the journey if you can, as we did in the UK before proceeding to South Africa, for instance. But even without breaking it I can't see why Hawaii from the UK would be a problem.
Sep 12th, 2010, 08:46 AM
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We took our older daughter to Europe for 6 weeks when she was 2 years old back in 1986.
We also traveled with carry on soft luggage only as for part of the time we were in a campervan with no space for hard sided luggage.
Despite dire predictions of doom from both grandmothers, each of whom offered to babysit, we had a great time and couldn't imagine having done the trip without her.
- you don't need piles of clothes... there are laundromats
- they sell diapers in Europe
- stop often in parks and playgrounds. It makes a nice break from sightseeing for you too. After a while we HAD to stop at campsites with swings she loved them so much.
- have enough small toys and games to keep the little one amused
- the quality collapsible stroller we bought in Paris outlasted both our kids, a niece and is still in great shape in case a grand child comes along some day.
Relax and have fun!
We also traveled with carry on soft luggage only as for part of the time we were in a campervan with no space for hard sided luggage.
Despite dire predictions of doom from both grandmothers, each of whom offered to babysit, we had a great time and couldn't imagine having done the trip without her.
- you don't need piles of clothes... there are laundromats
- they sell diapers in Europe
- stop often in parks and playgrounds. It makes a nice break from sightseeing for you too. After a while we HAD to stop at campsites with swings she loved them so much.
- have enough small toys and games to keep the little one amused
- the quality collapsible stroller we bought in Paris outlasted both our kids, a niece and is still in great shape in case a grand child comes along some day.
Relax and have fun!
Sep 20th, 2010, 05:20 PM
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You are perhaps a bit over-ambitious in your travel plans with a 2 yr-old; not sure I'd want to do it with the 7 yr-old! = ) Staying around DC is a grand idea; there are any number of places not too far off that make for great family stays. Beaches in Va., both Carolinas can be reached in a day's drive. Busch Gardens in VA is a wonderful family fun-spot. Good luck with your decision-making!
