Any of you parents out there do much? How often? Long vacations? Stories?? Anyone grow up with this type of lifestyle??
The s/o and I want to have a baby soon (yes, I know. It scares me too!) but we don't want this to hold us back. Part of me (and my wife) wants to be rooted in a house..if not just partially planted in one spot..but the other part wants the freedom to continue the "nomadic" way of life we've grown accustomed to.
my brother, wife and 2 yr old nephew visit us often...
...they bring a lot of STuFF [laugh]
Adam:
I will tell you, as will others, that it takes extra effort to move, travel, etc, with a baby. But, it isn't too bad if you are organized and have your systems down (it does seem to take a little extra planning). We have made a point of getting the little one out (about once a month) on weekend trips to get her used to staying hotels and car travel, and such. She's already been on her first plane ride and about to take her second. Babies/Kids do like routine so constant travel can had adverse effects.
You've been gone for months...impregnate that woman already! ;)
GW
P.S. You would not believe it, Sarah is crawling now and is about to break out tooth #3!
We travel a bit. Just this winter we spent 2 days in Boston, 3 days in NY City and 4 days in D.C....
Quote from: DuCaTiNi on January 27, 2009, 06:49:26 PM
...they bring a lot of STuFF [laugh]
So, Adam would have to pack fewer personal hygiene items? [laugh]
Quote from: Sinister on January 27, 2009, 06:58:38 PM
So, Adam would have to pack fewer personal hygiene items? [laugh]
[laugh]
seriously.... i was quite surprised their first visit here... that little guy needs a lot of supplies [laugh]
When you say travel, what do you mean?
we opt for longer trips and we make sure we have child care (reputable) at the destination.
We spent 2 weeks in Turks & Caicos (blech) and hired a lady to stay with us for the entire trip -- worked out to about 50$/day plus the cost of a suite for all of us (she stayed in the suite with us).
it worked well because we had 24 hr child care plus a maid and a cook.
if you are traveling in the states, the airfare for a kid >2 yrs old can get pricey. you can lap seat them up to 2 yrs, but once you have more than one, it's a pregnant dog. plus all the accoutrement, like diapers and food etc.
when they say give an extra hour to get to the airport, make it 2 if you have kids.
if you are driving, then just buy a van. turn the back into a big bed with storage underneath. live with it.
breeding is fun until you come up against reality. traveling with kids is NOT fun, but you can make it tolerable, it just means more out of pocket expenses and effort
I guess it depends on the kid. Haley is great traveling. She seems to enjoy it and has her iPod or Nintendo DS when she needs to be distracted...
Hell man-there's only one way to find out.
Go knock her up. We'll wait.
IZ,
Let me save you alot of time, frustration, money and heartache...print photo below and call it your own, no one will doubt it! ;D
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1232/850559195_ef15aad434.jpg)
Quote from: Jumptship on January 27, 2009, 07:57:40 PM
IZ,
Let me save you alot of time, frustration, money and heartache...print photo below and call it your own, no one will doubt it! ;D
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1232/850559195_ef15aad434.jpg)
[laugh] Damn you J! Can't we all just get past this?!
Sin..I can't believe the lil' one is crawling and has teeth?! :)
Ducatizzz..when I say travel, I mean..moving around like we do now. Cross country trips either driving or flying. Traveling to different countries. Possibly taking a few overseas placements for work that may last 1-2 years.
Tini..Yes, I've seen people with newborns and all their STuFF that goes along with them!! :-X
Come on Sin..I don't require
that much STuFF!! [cheeky]
MrI..you're right!
We traveled to Cali with Z when he was a year old.
It was as challenging for our fellow passengers as it was for us.
Nothing like a one year old dropping a load on descent into Detroit. ;D
I guess it depends on how badly you want to be at your destination.
Quote from: ducpainter on January 27, 2009, 08:25:56 PM
We traveled to Cali with Z when he was a year old.
It was as challenging for our fellow passengers as it was for us.
Nothing like a one year old dropping a load on descent into Detroit. ;D
I guess it depends on how badly you want to be at your destination.
That's one of the things I worry about. I feel bad for the parents and kids. They can't help it.
Long flights with a baby though has to be a killer for everyone involved..unless they're quiet and/or sleep the whole way. I ALWAYS have my I-Pod so I can easily tune out the crying if need be.
It was an adventure.
He didn't sleep...
at all on the trip out....from early morning eastern time until almost 2 am Cali time
He didn't really cry either.
We made sure he had a bottle on takeoff and landings to help him equalize pressure and we sang to him.
Just because you have kids doesn't mean your life ends IMO.
Quote from: ducpainter on January 27, 2009, 08:41:02 PM
Just because you have kids doesn't mean your life ends IMO.
I don't want to think that either.
The best way to avoid shit debacles on planes is to monitor their eating (for the little-little ones). Make sure they get a big meal right as the plane is taking off. For a 2-4 hour flight that is great. They usually drop a deuce within 30 minutes of eating (which means milk). This timing mechanism lasts until they are about 8-9 months then they get enough intestines to hold for a while.
You have to schedule flight times and such around them a bit. The last thing you need is a freaking out baby who hasn't slept.
We always try to fly with an aisle and a window seat and take the chance no one wants the middle seat (which usually works). On a less-than full flight, they will usually happily move and we get a 3-seat setup and baby slept in the middle (cramped but when they go, they go).
Kids are all different about flying too . Some seem to love it. Bring all the favorites, toys, pacifiers etc and bring extra and bring some way to wash them off when they drop to the nasty ass floor (wet handtowel in a ziploc works great).
Do you have a younger cousin or sibling who'll travel with you and help wit hthe baby? We have a cousin who is 14 and she'll be going with us to Italy next year -- she gets a free trip to Italy and has to take care of the baby for a few afternoons and nights, and we get some free time together. We are not sure it is worth it compared to hiring a local grandma, but at least she is family (and has infant CPR cert)..
when i was 4 1/2, my hippy parents tossed my bro and i in the VW bus and headed for Mexico.
the trip lasted about 6 months.
AFAIK, my parents got divorced when i was 5, but they both claimed it had nothing to do with the trip.
Quote from: herm on January 28, 2009, 04:38:55 AM
when i was 4 1/2, my hippy parents tossed my bro and i in the VW bus and headed for Mexico.
the trip lasted about 6 months.
AFAIK, my parents got divorced when i was 5, but they both claimed it had nothing to do with the trip.
Herm,
You were just a kid.
You can't blame yourself for your parents divorce. :-[
Maybe this will help?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h_S02CbhRY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h_S02CbhRY)
Maybe your lifestyle isn't conducive to having a child.
That is why my wife and I are choosing not to have children.
We have nieces and nephews to spoil.
I think it would be very hard for the child if you were to move every 1-2 years when he/she starts school.
Quote from: IZ on January 28, 2009, 05:42:07 AM
Herm,
You were just a kid.
You can't blame yourself for your parents divorce. :-[
Maybe this will help?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h_S02CbhRY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h_S02CbhRY)
dont worry, i never thought is was my fault for a second.
stupid hippies
Quote from: cyrus buelton on January 28, 2009, 05:42:45 AM
Maybe your lifestyle isn't conducive to having a child.
That is why my wife and I are choosing not to have children.
We have nieces and nephews to spoil.
I think it would be very hard for the child if you were to move every 1-2 years when he/she starts school.
+1
I'm far happier being a bad influence to other people's kids.
Quote from: lethe on January 28, 2009, 05:46:47 AM
+1
I'm far happier being a bad influence to other people's kids.
I agree.
Everyone seems to frown upon that decision we have made, but I am not sure why.
"You will regret having kids, you are supposed to have them, etc"
Having children is a personal choice, there is no written code stating you have to have them. Even if we did choose to have a kid, we would most likely adopt verse having our own.
Quote from: cyrus buelton on January 28, 2009, 05:52:16 AM
I agree.
Everyone seems to frown upon that decision we have made, but I am not sure why.
"You will regret having kids, you are supposed to have them, etc"
Having children is a personal choice, there is no written code stating you have to have them. Even if we did choose to have a kid, we would most likely adopt verse having our own.
I have many genetic traits, some that skipped me and some that hit me hard, that I have no desire to potentially burden a kid or society for that matter with.
Quote from: cyrus buelton on January 28, 2009, 05:42:45 AM
Maybe your lifestyle isn't conducive to having a child.
That is why my wife and I are choosing not to have children.
We have nieces and nephews to spoil.
I think it would be very hard for the child if you were to move every 1-2 years when he/she starts school.
Yeah, I've thought about that.
We only want one kid. The plan we agreed on is to stay in one place for awhile (>1-2 years) after they start elementary school.
I wish we had nieces & nephews around here but the closest ones are in FL and the rest are in MI. They really don't even know us. The thought of that gets to me sometimes but have to live my life and try to visit as often as possible. [thumbsup]
Quote from: cyrus buelton on January 28, 2009, 05:42:45 AM
I think it would be very hard for the child if you were to move every 1-2 years when he/she starts school.
Thousands and thousands of people in the military do it all the time...
I made a conscious decision to only have one and I love it. Traveled with her to Europe when she was 3 (3 week trip). Prior to that point, lots of extended car trips, long weekends, etc.
She now LOVES traveling and is always asking when we are going to go somewhere.
Traveling has opened her eyes (now that she is almost 10) to lots of different things that she would never have had the opportunity to experience if we had just stayed in Maryland the entire time.
A kid WILL change your life but it doesn't end it. It will take a little more planning. It does give you a chance to see places you've been before in an entirely new (and often humorous) way.
Quote from: IZ on January 28, 2009, 05:58:47 AM
Yeah, I've thought about that.
We only want one kid. The plan we agreed on is to stay in one place for awhile (>1-2 years) after they start elementary school.
I wish we had nieces & nephews around here but the closest ones are in FL and the rest are in MI. They really don't even know us. The thought of that gets to me sometimes but have to live my life and try to visit as often as possible. [thumbsup]
Just think it would be awesome to have another person in the house that's taller than you within 3 years or so. [thumbsup]
Quote from: NAKID on January 28, 2009, 06:01:31 AM
Thousands and thousands of people in the military do it all the time...
That doesn't make it any less difficult for the kid.
Quote from: IZ on January 27, 2009, 06:45:29 PM
Any of you parents out there do much? How often? Long vacations? Stories?? Anyone grow up with this type of lifestyle??
The s/o and I want to have a baby soon (yes, I know. It scares me too!) but we don't want this to hold us back. Part of me (and my wife) wants to be rooted in a house..if not just partially planted in one spot..but the other part wants the freedom to continue the "nomadic" way of life we've grown accustomed to.
Come on in, the waters Fine....
My oldest son crossed the Atlantic twice before he was two, Italy and the UK. Separate trips. No problemo.
My 2.5 year old twins are a little more "spirited" shall we say. I wouldnt dare expose 200 innocent strangers to their menacing ways. Evil I tell ya!
When flying with kids, bring a spare set of clothes in a carry on. My friend took his son and daughter to the UK. Just after take off, the 4 year old boy threw up all over dads shirt and pants.....didnt have a spare.
If you child tends to be high spirited/ a PIA, while traveling, Benadryl is your friend.
Quote from: ducpainter on January 28, 2009, 06:05:16 AM
That doesn't make it any less difficult for the kid.
Oh whatever, the kid will be fine. Kids these days need an occasional "challenge". It builds character, look what it did for me??
;D
Quote from: lethe on January 28, 2009, 06:04:21 AM
Just think it would be awesome to have another person in the house that's taller than you within 3 years or so. [thumbsup]
make the beast with two backser made me spit my coffee!
Quote from: dolci on January 28, 2009, 06:03:30 AM
She now LOVES traveling and is always asking when we are going to go somewhere.
That's great! ^^^ [thumbsup]
Traveling has opened her eyes (now that she is almost 10) to lots of different things that she would never have had the opportunity to experience if we had just stayed in Maryland the entire time.
Yes, this is the MAIN reason for why we want to travel.
Chris..yes, I hear a lot of stories from people who were Military brats. Most say it was hard being the new kid but everyone else was the new kid too! Most also say that they wouldn't have changed the experience for the exact reason dolci mentioned.
BTW..do we have the ignore function on here?! >:(
Quote from: IZ on January 28, 2009, 06:12:14 AM
BTW..do we have the ignore function on here?! >:(
Like you'd use it, admit it, you chuckled too. [cheeky]
Quote from: rgramjet on January 28, 2009, 06:10:12 AM
<snip>, look what it did for me??
;D
Exactly my point... ;D
Some kids handle it fine, others no so much.
Quote from: ducpainter on January 28, 2009, 06:17:44 AM
Exactly my point... ;D
Some kids handle it fine, others no so much.
You are number one in my book too big fella!
;D
Quote from: NAKID on January 28, 2009, 06:01:31 AM
Thousands and thousands of people in the military do it all the time...
I know.
I have several friends who grew up in military families.
The majority really didn't care for all the moving around and never establishing solid friendships until they were in college.
Quote from: ducpainter on January 28, 2009, 06:05:16 AM
That doesn't make it any less difficult for the kid.
Exactly
Quote from: cyrus buelton on January 28, 2009, 05:52:16 AM
I agree.
Everyone seems to frown upon that decision we have made, but I am not sure why.
"You will regret having kids, you are supposed to have them, etc"
Having children is a personal choice, there is no written code stating you have to have them. Even if we did choose to have a kid, we would most likely adopt verse having our own.
who will wipe your ass when you are 80 years old?
having at least 2-3 kids means at least one of them will feel guilty enough to do it.
i was an only child, but my parents did me right. when dad was dying, i was the only one around to take care of him besides mom, and she was 75 yo. i moved back home for a year after finding out the nurses left him lying in shit more than once.
just something to think about.
Quote from: ducatizzzz on January 28, 2009, 06:40:25 AM
who will wipe your ass when you are 80 years old?
The day I can't wipe my own ass, is the day that it is my time to check out.
Quote from: cyrus buelton on January 28, 2009, 06:46:44 AM
The day I can't wipe my own ass, is the day that it is my time to check out.
my dad used to say that when he was younger and by the time he hit about 70 or so, he changed his tune
almost everyone does. not saying you will, but chances are... you will..
Quote from: dolci on January 28, 2009, 06:03:30 AM
A kid WILL change your life but it doesn't end it. It will take a little more planning.
I think this is the big one, right here. Your life changes, it doesn't end. What you think is totally important now, may change once you see those little feet and hands. You may realize that one of the coolest things in the world is laying on the floor watching your little baby try and fit his/her entire fist (or foot) into his/her mouth...for an entire afternoon.
I guess my point is, and this comes from personal experience, decide what is important. If having kids is that important to you, commit to having them and understand that all your other hopes/dreams/plans may take a back seat (temporarily of permanently). Once you have a child, it's not completely about "you" anymore.
Food for thought.
My wife and I travel with two kids, and while more difficult, it's not impossible. We stay in practice by doing big family outings every weekend.
Then there are my parents...
I'm the youngest of two and I was...
Conceived in England
Born in Japan
Moved to Cambridge MA (age 2)
Moved to Colorado (age 3)
Moved to Western Mass (age 5)
Moved to France (age 7)
Moved to outside of Boston and stayed there. But we would still take camping trips that involved 100+ mile hikes lasting a week a more.
We even did about 2 months of camping in Africa. (age 10 on)
Short version: Once the kids are about 6, you can drag them anywhere. And while moving a lot sucks, it doesn't make too much of a difference when they're little.
Then again, my parents were in their early 20s when I showed up, so they may well have had more energy than my 40 year old ass has...
Car travel is limited to about 3 hours before needed breaks.
Amount of baby stuff you take is directly proportional to the amount of stuff you yourself take. If you think that you need a lot of stuff (i.e. more than one duffel bag for a weekend, then you probably think you need to take everything in the house except the kitchen sink when you travel with kids.
Just my two cents.
Quote from: r_ciao on January 28, 2009, 02:25:19 PM
Car travel is limited to about 3 hours before needed breaks.
Amount of baby stuff you take is directly proportional to the amount of stuff you yourself take. If you think that you need a lot of stuff (i.e. more than one duffel bag for a weekend, then you probably think you need to take everything in the house except the kitchen sink when you travel with kids.
Funny, that's almost identical to traveling with dogs. [cheeky]
Quote from: somegirl on January 28, 2009, 02:33:21 PM
Funny, that's almost identical to traveling with dogs. [cheeky]
True. But you can't put the kids in a dogbox in the back of the truck... [cheeky]
Quote from: Sinister on January 28, 2009, 02:41:42 PM
True. But you can't put the kids in a dogbox in the back of the truck... [cheeky]
Why not? :)
Quote from: somegirl on January 28, 2009, 02:33:21 PM
Funny, that's almost identical to traveling with dogs. [cheeky]
there are a lot of similarities...including training/learning behavior...but a whole group of people get angry when you compare them.
Quote from: Statler on January 28, 2009, 02:43:03 PM
there are a lot of similarities...including training/learning behavior...but a whole group of people get angry when you compare them.
Also dont tell anyone about the shock collar....
Quote from: Statler on January 28, 2009, 02:43:03 PM
there are a lot of similarities...including training/learning behavior...but a whole group of people get angry when you compare them.
Yeah, people don't like it when you compare training/disciplining dogs and kids, but the same principles apply.
Quote from: rgramjet on January 28, 2009, 02:48:44 PM
Also dont tell anyone about the shock collar....
hahahaha....
but you know consistency is key and as kids are brighter than dogs a very slight change of tone in the voice does the exact same thing.
now go get Daddy another Scotch. ;D
ok...back to travelling....
you and every person around you will be soooo much happier if tiny little babies have their own airplane seat.
Truly moving around is no biggie...home is where the parents are. Kids adjust if well adjusted already. None of my friends have any long term friends prior to college, but the interwebs change that for the younguns now.
vacations are easy just turn into family vacations or adult vacations with child at home cared for by someone else. No swinging from the hotel suite chandelier on the family vacations.
A. loves to fly and she's a few months shy of 3. She's already talking about Redsox spring training in March. You just make it normal and be excited and happy and they follow your lead.
Quote from: rgramjet on January 28, 2009, 02:48:44 PM
Also dont tell anyone about the shock collar....
ooo those are fun, mrs tizz and i have one and a ball gag and a rubber suit..
wait..
wrong subject
Quote from: Sinister on January 28, 2009, 02:41:42 PM
True. But you can't put the kids in a dogbox in the back of the truck... [cheeky]
Depends on the state. AZ still lets kids as young as 5 ride in the back of trucks unrestrained...
Quote from: NAKID on January 28, 2009, 06:08:46 PM
Depends on the state. AZ still lets kids as young as 5 ride in the back of trucks unrestrained...
You know why that is too, right Chris!
One word..
RESERVATION!!So, speaking of putting kids in the back end of a truck..one elementary student killed and another in the hospital after a woman thought it would be fun to go out and do doughnuts with a bunch of kids in the truckbed at 1:00 am last week.
http://www.laketravisview.com/2009/01/20/bce-student-dies-in-tragic-auto-accident-services-scheduled/ (http://www.laketravisview.com/2009/01/20/bce-student-dies-in-tragic-auto-accident-services-scheduled/)
Sad.
Just messing with ya Adam! LOL
Anyway, kids are good to travel with as long as you plan ahead and take it slow until you know how things will be. I mean, don't try to take a 2 week walking tour of Washington DC as your first trip.
My oldest was just 18 months when we went back to Italy, staying in hotels and moving into a house but that was not by choice. All went well in the end with some planning and foresight.
I say go for it, you will adapt and your kids will grow to appreciate travelling as much as you do...hopefully!
Quote from: Jumptship on January 28, 2009, 06:29:30 PM
Just messing with ya Adam! LOL
Anyway, kids are good to travel with as long as you plan ahead and take it slow until you know how things will be. I mean, don't try to take a 2 week walking tour of Washington DC as your first trip.
My oldest was just 18 months when we went back to Italy, staying in hotels and moving into a house but that was not by choice. All went well in the end with some planning and foresight.
I say go for it, you will adapt and your kids will grow to appreciate travelling as much as you do...hopefully!
O course you were!! [cheeky]
I'm still holding out for the job in Vincenza!! We'll see what happens with Dodds this summer. [thumbsup]
Quote from: IZ on January 28, 2009, 07:25:22 PM
O course you were!! [cheeky]
I'm still holding out for the job in Vincenza!! We'll see what happens with Dodds this summer. [thumbsup]
Good luck! The wife and I will need a place to crash when we go back to Italy for visits!