Traveling with a baby/kid

[IZ]

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.

[TiNi]

my brother, wife and 2 yr old nephew visit us often...

...they bring a lot of STuFF 

[Sinister]

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!

[NAKID]

We travel a bit. Just this winter we spent 2 days in Boston, 3 days in NY City and 4 days in D.C....

[Sinister]

...they bring a lot of STuFF 

So, Adam would have to pack fewer personal hygiene items?

[TiNi]

So, Adam would have to pack fewer personal hygiene items?

seriously.... i was quite surprised their first visit here... that little guy needs a lot of supplies 

[ducatiz]

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

[NAKID]

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...

[Popeye the Sailor]

Hell man-there's only one way to find out.


Go knock her up. We'll wait.

[Jumptship]

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! 

[IZ]

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! 

  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!!   

Come on Sin..I don't require that much STuFF!!      

MrI..you're right! 

[ducpainter]

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.   

I guess it depends on how badly you want to be at your destination.

[IZ]

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.   
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.   

[ducpainter]

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.

[IZ]

Just because you have kids doesn't mean your life ends IMO.

I don't want to think that either.