Re: Would you take a 2yo and 4yo to France?

No way!!! Traveling would be a nightmare. I can't imagine being on a plane with them for 7 hours. Plus it's not a very kid friendly vacation. But you know your kids better then me of course. I know my 3.5 would not do well and I would have an awful time. We where big travelers before kids. I'm jealous of you ladies who are able to take these big trips which such young children.
My parents didn't start taking me on big trips out of the country till 5, and even then I remember getting motion sick due to the long plane ride, car ride to hotel, etc... Plus I remember complaining about the food and being bored with sight seeing. I just want to go in the pool. Ha

If you could go without kids that would be great!

Re: Would you take a 2yo and 4yo to France?

Nope. We were huge international travelers before we had DD and I don't plan on taking DD abroad until she's at least in elementary school.

1. Not worth the $$ for the extra tickets, food,etc.
2. Kind of sucks the fun out of the trip for DH and I
3. They won't remember it
4. Though they might enjoy themselves, they'd equally enjoy themselves at a park near your house or hanging with grandma while you go away with DH. They really are too young to take it all in.
5. All the hassle of carting their stuff around from place to place, public trains, etc., I'm just too lazy for it and the work of it all takes away from it being a vacation
6. Sleep... four humans in one (very small, European) hotel room at that age probably means very little sleep for all

Sure, I'd miss DD, but the alone time with DH would be HEAVENLY

Re: Would you take a 2yo and 4yo to France?

Definitely not.

Way too much work and you will have to spend your days entertaining them while DH is at the conferences. At night, he will probably want to mingle with co-workers and they might not appreciate two little ones tagging along. Totally changes the vibe of the entire experience.

Re: Would you take a 2yo and 4yo to France?

I would leave them with family (grandparents, aunts / uncles, etc.), if that's possible.

That's a really long flight for two little ones. Plus, not having all the comforts of home, the time change, the food preferences.

If they were older, I would think they could really enjoy it. At this age, it seems like a PITA, IMO.

Re: Would you take a 2yo and 4yo to France?

No way I wouldn't! Ds is 5, we took him to see my family in Spain when he was 10 months, and then 19 months. It's a horrendous experience on the flight. Going there it's not that big deal because the flight is usually overnight, but coming back it's longer because of wind direction, and it's a day flight..can you imagine 8 hours or more on a flight with 2 toddlers?? I can't and haven't done it since he was 19 months. I've told my family there that I'll wait til he's at least 7 and can read or entertain self more. Plus like other posters said, I can't imagine how much fun they will have, unlike if you went with just dh...

Re: Would you take a 2yo and 4yo to France?

No. We take our kids everywhere with us and have stopped going to conferences with long flights. We wouldn't go to Europe. Are not going to Cali either.

Even if you get your hubby ticket and hotel paid for... The price of the flight for the two kids may be quite high. Almost enough for another vacation. I agree that they probably won't get much out of the trip. My 2 yr old gets more out of a grocery store trip than a trip to DC... Kwim?