<BR>Jane, come to south Florida. It may not be hot but chances are it'll be a heck of a lot warmer than NY. Easiest on you & easiest on the kids. Beautiful beaches, great atmosphere & much cheaper too. Think of what you'll save in air alone. <BR> <BR>Mars <BR> <BR>

I love FDR Reort in Ocho Rios. Every family gets a Nanny that takes care of the whole family. She will stay with the kids while they are napping so Mom and Dad can go on the snorkeling trip. They have elegant family dinners so no one feels left out. EVERYONE at the resort watches out for the kids. You make friends with your kids friends parents. Every rooms has a full kitchen, that you probably won't use but it is nice to have snacks in your room, cheese, milk, cereal etc. We have stayed there three times and my children love it. Everyone we talk to staying at the resort love it and go back again and again. <BR>IF you like to travel with your children don't let anyone talk you out of it! At FDR you can travel with and enjoy your children AND enjoy time for your selves as a couple too. Each room either one or two bedrooms has at least one private bedroom. In the one bedrooms there is a living room/bedroom with a day bed and they can bring in a crib, then a separte bedroom. The 2 bedrooms have a kitchen/dinning room/living area with a 1/2 bath downstairs, and a large balcony. Then upstairs there are 2 full bedrooms with 2 full bathrooms with tubs. One room will have a king bed and the other room 2 twins with a day bed. My kids love the extra space and so do we.

Jeremy, what are the forums where people won't assume the worst about you as a parent AND give good advice? Seriously, I'm new to the forums and I've been flamed for my own requests for information about traveling with a baby. (Dixie: What's FDR in Ocho Rios? More specific about it's name!) <BR> <BR>Also, people should realize that leaving a child behind on vacation isn't always an option -- we have no volunteers in my family! <BR> <BR>I do suggest, Jane, that you take only direct flights. And that you travel first thing in the morning as congestion in the NYC airports builds during the day. <BR> <BR>Does anyone really object to a parent who is doing his best to care for a child on an airplane, even when that child is not having the greatest trip? Would you also say those children should not be allowed on trains until the age of reason? How about city buses and subways? Must children really not be seen or heard by anyone but their parents? <BR> <BR>As for the safety issue -- that's a biggie. I hope every parent puts it first every time he walks out of the house. But who, pardon me please, are you to judge another parent's choices about the risks she's willing to take? She didn't ask for your advice on parenting!

Marie is right. <BR>But Jane really needs a break. <BR>Solution: Stay in the U.S. and <BR>Bring grandma on trip. <BR>Go as far south as possible. Give Grandma (and Grandpa?) their own room, and don't expect them to babysit constantly. But if they go out for an earlier dinner, they could babysit at night (after kids asleep) and for breakfast duty. Family sits by beach/pool all day with lots of sunscreen and hat for baby. Stay in the states for emergency medical care, purchase of bulky diaper bags, etc., and in general less expense and more convenience. <BR>Have a nice trip!

Sure let's go on vacation and leave the little darlings in the care of a total stranger in a foreign country! Makes sense to me!

Go to FDR in Runaway Bay. You'll love it. Spring for a two bedroom unit in building # * directly on the sea. <BR>Your nanny will do it all and you can hire her after hours for very little $$. <BR>She and you will be very happy. If you really want a day of quiet, you can buy a day pass to Breezes resort which is next door. We've been to FDR 3 times in 4 years and love it each time. <BR>It's not extremely fancy, but it's clean, well run and safe for all. <BR> <BR>Have fun!

RTODD, That is it's name FDR Resort in Ocho Rios. There is another FDR Pebbles in Trelawny but it is not as nice as the one in Ocho Rios. I do believe this would be a great place for your family!

'FDR'= 'Franklyn D. REsort

There is NO FDR resort in Ocho Rios. <BR>The original (which is the best for now) <BR>is located 15 miles West in Runway Bay. <BR> <BR>Paul

Jane: We are taking our 1 and 1/2 year old on a vacation this March, and are trying to decide between Club Med Sandpiper (which I fear may be too cold to swim) and Club Med Punta Cana. I am told that both are fabulous resorts for children, and while I personally don't intend to drop my baby off with resort staff- it sounds like the opportunity for a breather is there if you wish. <BR> <BR>As for the all the people who are advising you on how to parent- ignore it. All you asked for was where to go on a trip, and if they don't have anything constructive to add, they shouldn't be responding. <BR> <BR>We have been traveling with our daughter since she was 4 month old (OH GASP- I can hear people judging us as terrible parents from afar), and we have had wonderful, safe, enjoyable family time everywhere we have been. <BR> <BR>Good luck Jane! <BR> <BR>As an aside, if anyone has heard anything about the Club Meds we are considering (that actually relates to the resort and not my choice to travel with my child) I'd love to hear it!!! <BR> <BR> <BR>

good for you Kim! Jane, let me know what you decided...I'm curious...as I too am going to the Carribean with my 2 1/2 y.o. this winter - have fun!

mary

Oh, I can't resist. Take the kids. Enjoy your life, and let them share it. To be a good parent you don't have to keep them in a padded all-American closet. People abroad have kids and health care too.

A villa is a good suggestion if you are the independent sort; if you can afford the resorts mentioned, you can afford a villa. We are fortunate to have a nanny to take along sometimes (since we'd pay her anyway, it's just an extra plane ticket) but have done trips alone and with grandparents. So our 21-month-old has been to Canada, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, St. Kitts and Nevis, and 12 or so states. He clearly remembers aspects of the trips, as I do of my foreign travels as a toddler. Happy trails.

Jane, I hope you can ignore the nutty (and wholly unsolicited) advice you are getting and enjoy your trip with your kids. FDR gets mixed reviews but people seem to like the nannies - I know one of them gets better reviews than the other but can't help you there. It's ashame you are so far from Club Med Ixtapa - I was very impressed with what I saw of their baby club. My daughter was older when I took her but we saw the toddlers and babies about and they were very well taken care of.

Jane - I'm with you. Take the kids, teach them how to enjoy life and learn about the world. Sharing your life, interests and experiences with them from a young age is critical to their development as people.

As for me, we've been travelling with our son since he was 3 months old - he's great on planes and spending that kind of intense time with him brings us closer together as a family.

We took our five month old son and four year old daughter to the Ritz Carlton in Jamaica last winter. It was a direct flight from NYC (less than 4 hours) and we never left the resort, other than dinner at the White Witch Golf Club one night (quite nice). The Ritz Carlton did have a Kids Club but they only take kids who are 5 or 6 and older.

That being said, we were able to book an all-inclusive suite for a reasonable price. We knew it would not be your typical relaxing vacation, but that it would be enjoyable family time in a warm climate.

The resort was VERY family friendly and there were many families there with young children. They provided a crib with linens, a cot for my daughter as well as sand/beach toys etc. We ate dinner on the early side (all but one of the resturants at the hotel is child-friendly)and after putting the kids to bed (we all slept in the same room) were able to enjoy a few hours of peace, sitting on our terrace, listening to the ocean, talking and reading. It was a wonderful week. I highly recommend that you look into this as an option!