Weird Vacation With Toddler
Toddlers are hard work, that’s what everyone says! So before you go for vacation with your little guy or girl, you must prepare yourself for a lifetime of fun at the beach.
Traveling with a toddler doesn’t have to be a pain in the you-know-what. Traveling with toddlers can be fun, even the trips that involve long car rides, screaming and tantrums. Experimenting with different tricks, tips and tricks is key when traveling with toddlers. Toddlers love toys, books and activities that keep them occupied during the journey. Here are some unique suggestions for toddler travel.
I’m going to let you in my little secret of how we’re able to travel so luxurious, and how it is that sometimes our children are the one getting in the way. In short: content is the answer.
The family vacation isn’t what it used to be. Gone are the days of driving to the shore, or a week at the lake — replaced with miniature golf, or some kind of amusement park. But sometimes you just want to get away for a bit…
Vacations are all about fun and relaxation. But, it takes a lot of effort to plan one that is worth remembering.
Remember the days when you panicked about your infant’s first plane ride? Turns out babies are amateur hour. If you want to know the true meaning of pain, just plan a summer vacation with a little person roughly one to three years of age.
Weird Vacation With Toddler
After a half-dozen successful trips with my infant daughter, I was lulled into a false sense of security about this whole traveling-with-child thing. I had my foolproof bag of tricks for the flight, a manageable packing list and a trusty Ergobaby carrier. I dispensed advice to moms with smaller babies like a pro. So I did not hesitate to book a low-key beach getaway to Florida shortly after my daughter’s first birthday. How hard could it possibly be?
We were hardly out the door when the truth hit me like a bottle of milk launched by a 1-year-old practicing her newly-discovered throwing abilities. And no, that’s not a metaphor. Here’s what traveling with a toddler really looks like.
1. Those travel-with-baby tips that used to work? They no longer will
Back in the day, the boob or bottle would pacify your baby instantly. Now, your breastfeeding days are past, and your toddler thinks bottles are for throwing. Back in the day, she would nap in a sling or stroller while you did your thing. Now, she screams in the sling or stroller while you hide your face in shame. So get ready to throw out your travel playbook and start from scratch.
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2. Sightseeing and toddlers don’t mix
Pre-toddler, a day in your vacation may have included a museum or two, a picturesque hike or walk, a new restaurant, some shopping and a show at night. My husband and I managed to keep this up through our daughter’s first year, using a clever combination of baby wearing and babysitters. Now? We got to choose one activity per day—if we were lucky. And, of course, it had to be safe for a very mobile toddler, not scheduled during naptime or after bedtime or at mealtime, and not too far from the hotel.
3. If you want to stay sane, put the toddler in a closet
Forget stylish boutique hotels or cozy B&Bs. Your #1 priority now is a separate place for your progeny to sleep. If he usually sleeps alone, bunking down in the same room might destroy his already-fragile vacation sleep schedule. And even if he does manage to sleep fine, you’ll be forced into lights out at 8pm.
So, what to do instead? Rent an Airbnb with multiple rooms. (Bedrooms not necessary—my kid recently slept in a laundry room). Or get a hotel room with a handicapped-accessible bathroom, which should be big enough for your Pack’n’Play. (Downside: no nighttime bathroom runs). Even a large closet with vents on the door will do. The few hours of couple time you get after the little monster is sleeping may well be the highlight of your trip.
4. Spring for a room with a view…because that’s where you’ll be spending most of your time
As previously mentioned, you and the toddler will not be doing much sightseeing. What will you be doing? Spending hours in your hotel or vacation rental. We retreated to our beachfront condo for many reasons—nap, lunch, toddler overheating, toddler too wound up and needs calm place to unwind…you get the picture. The ocean view and the sound of the waves helped us avoid going crazy and actually enjoy our cooped-up-inside time.
RELATED: 4 Family Vacation Goals You Should Probably Rethink
5. Take-out at the playground will be the apex of your dining experience
Toddlers and good restaurants rarely mix, but you all still need to eat. So, what do you do? Sure, you can take your two-year-old to a generic kid-friendly restaurant that looks, feels and tastes just like the generic kid-friendly restaurants at home, down to the packet of crayons and the extravaganza of fried items on the children’s menu. But even typing that depresses me. As an alternative, did you know that most fancy restaurants will do take-out? So go ahead, grab a few boxes from the hotspot all the young people are flocking to, go find a baby-friendly park or playground, and have a picnic.
6. Don’t get too excited about your new vacation outfits. Actually, don’t bring your new vacation outfits
I’m one of those people who enjoys buying a couple of cute new outfits to wear on vacation. This year, I even bought some for my little girl. Most of these new clothes lay untouched in the closet, along with my jewelry and most of the contents of my make-up bag. I wore shorts and a t-shirt that I didn’t mind ruining when my daughter smashed berries in my lap. She wore the same two rompers over and over, because they worked best for crawling and high-speed diaper changes in unfamiliar places.
7. Planning for a babysitter? Think again
On our first family vacations, my husband and I would leave the baby with relatives or a new sitter, scoring some much-needed couple time. This time, our one-year-old physically clung on to me for the better part of the week. With her stranger danger instincts on high alert, she made it clear she’d be damned before she let me leave her with someone she’d never met. Au revoir, dinner reservations at fancy French restaurant.
This is the bit where I get to say that, despite all of the above, vacationing with our toddler was magical and amazing and totally worth it. And, I’ll admit it was heart-meltingly adorable to see her discover sand for the first time and bob in the waves on her tiny raft. But still, if any of the grandparents offer to take her for a week so hubby and I can go travel on our own, I won’t be turning down the offer.
Main image: Fotolia/photographmd
SHOW COMMENTS
Dear Son, Here’s My Wish for You on Your First Day of Kindergarten
August 15, 2022
Dear Son,
I am typing this letter while I watch you splashing in the pool with your big brother on one of the last lazy afternoons of summer. Your first day of kindergarten at a new school is just around the corner. Deep breath. It seems like you came into my life just a week ago and like your first day of preschool was yesterday. Now it’s time for kindergarten. My little toddler is turning into a big boy right before my eyes. I just swallowed the lump in my throat to keep from crying.
There’s so much I want to tell you about what it’ll be like at a new school and how to navigate your first day. I know that all of these new people and activities can seem a bit scary, but before you know it, everything will be familiar and comfortable. As you walk through the door of your new school, try to remember my ten wishes for you.
1. Just keep smiling
Walking into that new classroom filled with unfamiliar faces might seem scary. I promise you, though—everyone else is feeling the same way as you. Your infectious smile and little giggles will give you and others around you the confidence you need to get through those first few days and weeks.
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2. Always be kind
It doesn’t matter how many or how few friends you have—what matters most is how you treat everyone around you.
3. Don’t be afraid of differences
Not all of your classmates will be just like you, but different is good! Ask them questions and learn why they like what they like. You are bound to learn something new.
4. Listen
This is one of the hardest things to learn to do. Mommy is still learning it today. Listen to your teacher. Listen to your friends when they speak. Great listeners change the world.
5. Speak up and raise your hand when you can
Your teacher is so excited to meet you too. She wants to get to know you, so don’t be afraid to answer her questions and tell her all about you.
RELATED: 10 Back-to-School Hacks for an Awesome Year
6. Don’t forget to ask for help if you need it
That’s what your teacher is there for. If you need help, it’s okay to ask. This is a good lesson to learn at a young age.
7. One good friend is all you need
You never know who that new best friend will be—introduce yourself and be friendly to the children in your class. The boy you talk to on the first day just may end up being your pal for life.
8. But if you see someone alone on the playground, ask them if they want to play
That might be you one day and you’ll hope your classmates will do the same thing.
9. No matter what happens at school, I will see you at the end of the day—every day.
I can’t wait to hear about all the fun you have and cheer from the sidelines as you learn and grow through the year. There will be great days and there will be not-so-great ones, but I’m always here to listen and hug you.
10. Believe in yourself
I do—I am your biggest fan.
I hope you remember my ten wishes as you make your way through your first day of kindergarten. I love you more than I can possibly explain—and I know you’re going to love school!
Love, Mom