elijahmo

Hi all - I've had some fantastic advice in the past on these forums and this is a totally different topic with big life changes coming!

We are expecting our first child in December. We are thinking about taking some time out during my wife's maternity leave to go away for 2-3 months travelling when our baby would be 3-4 months old. Destination would either be US/Canada or Australia. We live in the UK. We've been reading some blogs and articles from people who've done it but still worry a little we are being completely mad and maybe irresponsible.

This wouldn't be backpacking. We would most likely hire a big camper van / RV for the duration so we can keep a good routine, have a kitchen etc to make it somewhat easier although very aware this will be a bit challenge. We would also be looking to plan a route where baby's need are absolute priority, near ish to hospitals for any emergencies, moe outdoors / nature locations than cities for hikes etc so potentially west coast US April - June 2017.

Does anyone have any advice / thoughts please? Has anyone done a similar trip? Is this completely crazy? (Answer may be yes but all advice welcome)

Thanks in advance

Inakauaidavidababy

Yes this is crazy. You gave me permission.

I'm not in HR, but isn't maternity leave usually taken directly after the birth of the child. I can't believe that they would allow her to return to work and then cash in on her maternity leave policy to take a trip 3 or 4 months later.

I don't know if it would be irresponsible, but you are certainly trying to cash in on a possible loop hole on what maternity leave is supposed to be.

SambaChula

Some considerations:
December is winter in most of the US, including the west. Snow is possible in some more mountainous areas, including scenic national parks. At best, it is not warm. If you don't have experience with an RV in snow, especially a long one, your route might be somewhat limited. An RV of that size is difficult in any city (although you say you would avoid cities).You cannot just park anywhere (in most cases/places); you must find an RV park which usually costs money. Also, one way drop off fees for vehicles, including cars and RVs, can be steep.

The impression I get from reading these travel forums is that Australia is more suited to this type of casual RV adventure.

janisj

>>I can't believe that they would allow her to return to work and then cash in on her maternity leave policy to take a trip 3 or 4 months later.<<

Where would you get an idea like that? Maternity/Paternity leave is VERY generous/flexible in may countries. Some get a full year and can do any darn thing they want w/ it.

>> December is winter in most of the US<<

They would not be traveling in Dec. The baby is due (congratulations BTW) in Dec and they plan on traveling 3 or 4 months later.

elijahmo: Whether this is a good idea or not depends in large part on where you are traveling. You only tagged your thread for California -- so is that where you want to tour -- or to other regions too?

But in general, an RV will be very inconvenient in most cities. You indicate mostly rural bits -- but if you want to include San Francisco or Seattle of any others - that is a consideration. Also can be difficult in the mountains. Have you driven an RV before? One thing to consider -- many MANY US hotels/motels have kitchens/kitchenettes so it is easy to keep a 'good routine'.

But yes, April - June would likely be the best time of year for an RV journey.

elijahmo

Thanks for the responses so far. Also thanks janisj for picking up the details of my questions.

We may be getting into the differences of maternity leave policies across different countries which wasn't the purpose of this post. We live in the UK and maternity leave in the UK isnt set to what employers expect you to do with the time. I also didn't mention my wife returning to work and then going on the road trip later. She would be taking 12 months maternity leave from the birth. So not sure what you mean by cashing in so I'll leave it there on those comments.

And yes, we wouldn't be travelling in winter and I didn't say that. April - June is the timeframe.

However, I haven't ever driven an RV before. I haven't looked into routes properly yet but we would probably look to do more than California but stick to the east coast and inland from there.

Kathie

I would suggest that the RV makes everything more difficult. You would be better off just to rent a car and to choose two or three places and rent a condo for several weeks to a month at a time. The condo would give you a washer/dryer which you will need and a chance to settle in somewhere.

Hawaii would be a wonderful place to do this!

Inakauaidavidababy

12 month maternity leave? That's amazing. 3 months more then it took the poppet to get here!!! Wishing you 10 fingers and 10 toes.

You might search for RV travel forums as this place is birthing crickets and quiet nights.

elijahmo

Kathie - yeah good shout, thanks and that is the other idea we've been discussing actually. Again would help us keep routine and not loads of packing up and moving around. We've done very little of US west coast so loads of options. Really keen on San Francisco if we were choosing a base for a month or so.

I agree the RV could become an effort moving round lots and having a condo / apartment and less travel could be led stressful with a first child.

elijahmo

Thanks davidababy. 12 months isn't fully paid (depends on employer) in the UK but is available so depends on circumstances and what each new mother wants to do. I get two weeks paid paternity leave only and everything else unpaid.

nytraveler

RVs sound like a good idea but in much of the US - esp the east coast they don't really work. Plus the cost of rental (one way drop off charges are usually huge) plus the amount of gas that they use, plus campground fees and the highway tolls are going to be more than that of budget motels and a rental car.

Besides the fact that you can't get them into most cities (and if you want to park one near NYC the closest park is about $100 per night to park) in the east there are a lot of roads (usually called parkways) that don't allow anything bigger than a basic family car. These roads were built for family car touring in the 1920s and while they are usually ver pretty, often with rivers running along side, they have very narrow lanes, often limited shoulders, low bridges and very short on-ramps.

Strongly reco that you use a rental car and budget motels - or perhaps weekly rentals in places where they are legal - to make the trip much easier and more comfortable with anyone.

wtm003

When I had babies they would fall asleep as soon as the car started moving. If you are traveling during the day you might have a baby awake all night. I think it's a good idea to limit your destinations and rent a house or condo.

Underhill

I think doing a lot of traveling around is a bit crazy, especially since you want to be near good medical facilities just in case.

While I love San Francisco, you should be aware that it is quite expensive to stay there. A large vehicle would not do well on the hilly streets; so you would need to use public transportation for the most part, or taxis. That might not be so much fun with an infant.

I agree with other posters who recommend motels with kitchen facilities; often you can get a weekly rate. That would allow you some flexibility to stay put and make day trips.

gail

Your sanity or not is not my business - but some logistical suggestions. First, price carefully the cost of an RV. I considered this a number of times, and it was always more expensive than renting a car and staying in less expensive hotels. Make sure you factor in mandatory RV insurance, mileage charges, drop-off fees if going on-way; and then see if as a non-US citizen they charge you even more. There are plenty of US hotels that have free breakfast and a refrigerator and microwave in the rooms. You can buy a cooler and have lunch from that.

Have you checked your insurance coverage while outside UK? US hospitals will treat any of you in an emergency, but you will be required to pay - and if it is not a real emergency, they will expect you to put a lot on your credit card just to be seen.

I cannot imagine flying UK-Australia with a baby. Babies at that age are fairly portable. For a trip of that length it would be cheaper to buy baby stuff here and then donate it after the trip - car seat, portable crib would be about it.

The baby will need passport to enter US. I have no clue how long it takes to get that in UK, but I might start right after s/he is born. You probably can't even book a flight until after birth.

As far as route - that is up to what you want, since the baby will not care. You might even consider doing a trip north from California to Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Portland) and then fly to east coast and drive from Florida to New England or even Canada.

Congratulations on the baby and wishing all good health.

Gretchen

You may want to find out "what kind of baby" this is going to be--easy, sleeps through the night by 3 months, etc. OR collicky, fussy, etc. They come in all forms!!
I think the RV is an awful idea for sightseeing but maybe all right for your schedule keeping. But if you did something like also renting a car you could base yourself "somewhere" in a campground and do day trips.
Don't pay any attention to the naysayers about maternity leave--it's your business. BUT there is much to say about establishing your baby's schedule at home without the upheaval of a trip.
I would assume the baby will travel in your lap at that age on a flight so can't see the problem of booking air. One of the baby swaddles would be a good thing to have with one that tiny--for mom and dad.

Brian_in_Charlotte

While I admire your adventurousness, the idea is just crazy. You have no idea what you are getting into. Believe me, even a healthy baby will have medical needs in their first 6 months and you don't want to be somewhere on the road when that happens.

A child is exhausting for the first year and even harder when it's your first and you're making all the usual mistakes. My son is 8 so those memories are not as distant as most of the posters here and I can not imagine how unpleasant traveling across the country would be in an RV for months 3-6.

I feel bad for raining on your parade, but figured you'd want honest opinions. Best of luck if you choose to push ahead.

Gretchen

Brian has NAILED it. Make your baby's first months at home and a wonderful bonding experience for the family.

jayne1973

Congrats! People do all kind of things with babies today. It would be a good idea to hold off making final plans until after he or she is born. If you decide to go for it, I keep thinking Highway 1 in California would be a good choice. If you decide to go for it, age four months would be a minimum, in my humble opinion.

MichelleY

I agree with Brian.

Underhill

Driving Highway 1 in California in an RV would be high on my list of suicidal ideas. The road isn't that wide, the curves are many, and the drops are dreadful.

janisj

. . . but in a car it is one of the most scenic drives in the world . . .