We want to take a trip (Driving,no flying) while my wife is on maternity leave with our son. We live in Kansas City and want to go where the weather is nice. I don't think we can go much more than 8 hours in the car with a 3 month old..Any suggestions?

What time of year? What do you like to do?

This will be in late Feb-Early March....We love to Dine out and watch sports. We also love to gamble which is now going to be out of the question. Golf and tennis would be nice as well. Thanks for the help.

The only really warm places in the US in Feb are south Florida and Hawaii. So California is OK but not hot, and Arizona is still 60's, approaching 70's. South Texas is 70's.

Which are within an 8 hour drive of KC?
None. Best you can do is Dallas in 8 hours. It won't be hot as in tanning weather.

Just wondering how you plan to play golf and tennis with a 3 month old? Gambling (which you rule out) would be easier.

My wife will watch the baby while I play golf, then I will watch the baby while she plays tennis. Sounds easy..I'm not sure if it will work out. Maybe we should wait a year before we vacation....we just love to travel and this is our first baby-at age 40!

New Daddy,
Congratulations! First time parents at age 40--wow. You know, you're probably not going to find warm weather traveling 8 hours from KC in Feb./March. I think you'd be surprised at how easy it is to drive with a baby that age, though. Consider maybe two days driving time, and that will get you to Florida easily. You know, some people on this board will come unglued when I say this (except for other experienced parents) but giving the baby a small dose of Tylenol as you're getting in the car will ensure SOME naptime along the way. Not that we routinely drugged our kids when we traveled but...

I was just curious, why no flying? It would be much easier to fly with a baby that little than to drive. Unless it is you or wife who won't fly, then please ignore my comments.

This is the easiest age to fly with a child. I've been flying with my 3 yr old several times a year from CA to OH since he was 3 months old. You could then easily get to FLA in no time.

Happy planning and Congratulations!

It is easy to fly with a baby at this age they are very portable and tend to sleep. IF you feed the child on take off and landings that should eliminate any ear problems. You can also gate check the stroller and it will be waiting at the runway when you deplane.

Here are some websites where you can get more info.

www.familytravelforum.com
www.parentsplace.com
http://www.babycenter.com/baby/babytravel/index

Thanks for all the help. I think it might be easier to fly a few hours as opposed to driving for 8 hours. I would hate to be on a plane with a crying baby for 3 hours though. That is the main reason we didn't want to fly.

Check with your pediatrician about giving your child Benadryl before you take off. It helps them sleep and helps with changing pressure.