Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

I said to DH over the weekend that maybe we should think about going on a 1-2 night trip during my break in June. DS will be 8 months old and I was only thinking about going to Mystic, CT to walk around the town and go to the aquarium or even Montauk. I know that DS is too little to really appreciate it, but I thought it would be nice, simple getaway to have a change of scenery.

DH looked at me like I had 5 heads and said I was crazy to think we should go away with an infant. That we'll never be able to enjoy ourselves. He'll get cranky and want to nap and what is the point when he is only 8 months old??

I couldn't believe he was sooo against it! and then pretty much eluded to the fact that we won't be going on any kind of vacation the next year or so because DS is too little and no one will enjoy themselves. I thought this would be the perfect chance to see how he is away from home, a simple 1st family vacation. DS is a good baby and we would deal with whatever happened while we were there. I didn't think it was that terrible of an idea...am I wrong?? TIA

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

Honestly, 8 months is probably the best time to go away. Once they're toddlers they're all over the place.

Put the baby in the bjorn and walk around. He'll take in everything and love it. If you're going to be outside most of the time then maybe the fresh air and walking will knock him out so he'll nap in the stroller so you can enjoy some quiet time.

We've been going away since DS1 was 8 months and had a great time.

Now with 2 it's tougher, but we still think it's good to get away. The baby is 10 months old and loves looking around. My toddler is better now and will stay close, but when we went away when he was 18 months it was a nightmare. He'd wonder off everywhere.

Go when they're confined! LOL

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

I don't think it's a terrible idea at all. We took DD to Texas for a family wedding, but extended our trip a week when she was 6 months. At 7 months we went to VT, beautiful long weekend trip! At 11 months we went to Washington, DC for a long weekend with her. She had a blast! She napped in her stroller since the hotel room was small.

I think Mystic is a great idea, they have a fantastic aquarium and if the weather is great the waterfront is amazing! We love taking weekend trips with her, while it's not as relaxing as a weekend alone would be, it's still fun!

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

I jsut took DS to FL at 4 months. We were gone for 4 days and it was great. We were staying at my parents but if we went soemwhere driving distance we totally would do that.

Throw the PnP in the car and go! DS was so happy being in a new surrounding and ws happy just looking at everything.

We are taking DS to PA in July and he will be 6.5 months. I figure the more we take him places the more likely he will be to sleep where ever and be a happy baby

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

I must be insane then because we did Mystic when Izzie was 10 weeks old and Philadelphia when she was 4.5 months old I would have gone whether we had Luca or not She was great! Very happy to be out and about and seeing all new things. Plus being outside and doing so much, she napped in the stroller very nicely and slept great at night. I think you can totally do it and have a great time

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

ok, at least I know it's not just me! I figured this was the best time to go. He's loves looking around and I figured he would nap in the stroller if he needed to. Plus, if we had to go back to the hotel we could. And it's only a 2-3 hour drive that if we had to go home, we could.

I brought it up with DH twice this weekend and he shot me down. He was getting kind of snippy. I don't know what else to do to convince him without just telling him we're going and pissing him off. I also told him I'd go with my mom and sister and leave him home if I had to!

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

I've also tried to tell DH that things will be a bit more difficult as DS gets older and is mobile, which he isn't understanding either!

he doesn't want to take DS out to restaurants or even to a baseball game. he doesn't understand that we can do things with the baby! ugh, ok vent over!

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

We took Sean everywhere - it's easier when they're little and not mobile yet !!

We went our East a few times, up to Boston, did a few weekends in the city ....we have been going away w/ Sean since he was about 4 months old.

Colin too - although now it's difficult with two kids -

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

DS came with us everywhere from the time he was an infant...restaurants, ball games, friends houses...We used to joke that he would fall asleep in one place and wake up in another thinking where have these crazy people taken me now?

We drove to Mass when he was 5 months old and spent a week in the Berkshires...We just popped him in the infant seat and took him along wherever we went.

It is so much easier when they are not verbal or mobile... Now at 3 DS is so much more work since he can move and demand what he wants!

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

That's the perfect time to go!

We took DD on a road trip to VA when she was about 9 months old and it worked out great. She was still manageable and not quite mobil so we put her in a stroller or in the Bjorn and off we went.

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

It's the perfect time to go before they're up and running all over the place!

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

thank you everyone! now if you could tell my husband this....

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

we did mystic when my LO was 8 months...it was perfect...we stayed 2 nts. at a B&B
we went to the aquarium, shops, walked around, went by the water/docks area, dinner, seaport...it was a perfect 1st trip and she was awesome and loved the aquarium! i say go!

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

when I was about 9 months old, my parents DROVE with me from NJ to CA and went tent camping... LOL so i'm gonna say go for it
I think its a great time to take him away because hes probably not walking yet, so he'll just kind of hang out in the stroller or carrier and take everything in. as he gets to be a toddler, i think it will be harder to do. good luck deciding!

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

At 8 months, we went on a week long cruise with DS.

The way I see it... you are stuck in the house for about 1 month.

At 2 months, we started going to public places (museums, aquariums, etc.)

At 4 months, we took some mini-vacations with DS and with 2 kids (21 month and 4 month old) recently. We went to DC for 3 nights (1 child) and Atlantic city for 2 nights (when we had 2 kids). We had NO problems with any trip. We ate early & went to the hotel; early. Spent lots of time in the pools.

At 8 months, you can go anywhere. It's easier not to fly... but this is a nice period of time. It's easy to feed kid & they are portable without too many complaints.

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

I think it’s a GREAT age to do a trip. I never did the bjorn thing but I had her in her stroller. Her stroller would lay back so if she fell asleep, no biggie. An aquarium will light any kid of any age. Something to do with the water waves and blue along with floating objects. Its alike a mega mobile. All babies love people watching too. I think it’s a great idea.

I also agree with PP who said do it while they are confined. Its SOOO much easier. They are so much more predictable at 8m then 2y for SURE!

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

I think a short trip could be a lot of fun. Plus, you could go anywhere you want to go...it doesn't have to include rides and people in character suits! It's silly not to take him to restaurants, at least ones that are family friendly. I'm not sure I'd bring a baby to a MLB game, but maybe that's just me.

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

Honestly, I think you need to start as you mean to go on. by this I mean taking children everywhere. restaurants, shopping, travel, etc etc. They need to learn how to behave, see new things, be out and about. It wont be relaxing for you per se but it will be about enjoying time together as a family. We started when DD was 1 month old, taking her to my parents condo on the jersey shore, then Ireland at 3 and 10 motnhs old, North Carolina, DC, PA, etc etc etc. DS is 10 months old and has already been to Ireland, DC, Jersey Shore, PA, and we are planning FL for a couple months from now. It's not going to be a vacation like what your DH is used to in the past but it will be enjoyable!

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

Posted by dandj

DS came with us everywhere from the time he was an infant...restaurants, ball games, friends houses...We used to joke that he would fall asleep in one place and wake up in another thinking where have these crazy people taken me now?

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

I take DS shopping with me and to run errands all the time. So he's getting used to that! It's everything else I want to expose him to!

I know that vacations for quite some time won't be the same as when it's just DH and I, but I want to have family experiences and try to enjoy ourselves as much as we can! I just wish DH agreed with me. I'm going to keep trying!

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

We have been doing overnight trips w dd since she was 12 weeks old. So easy when they are young. It only gets harder as they get older. Go!!!!!

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

We just got back from a 9 day cruise with DD, she is 9 months old today! It was a lot of fun and a lot of work! But it was worth it

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

I took DS on a plane to Florida when he was 4 months with DH and we are leaving tomorrow for a long weekend in Baltimore. I do not think you are crazy at all for wanting to go away!

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

Posted by dandj

DS came with us everywhere from the time he was an infant...restaurants, ball games, friends houses...We used to joke that he would fall asleep in one place and wake up in another thinking where have these crazy people taken me now?
!

Re: Tell me if I'm crazy (vacation related)

We did Newport RI for 2 days when DS was 2 months old. It was a challenge but do able. It will def be easier with an 8 month old!