[shanpine]

My dd is 13 months old and has been home 6 weeks. Things are going ok....we're not there yet, but we're on our way to "normal-ish" family feel I think!
We had planned to take a ski vacation as we've done every year with our 7 and 4 year old, and we'd hoped to go at the end of Feb or early March. I'd love some opinions on whether or not you think she'll handle it ok, or if I ought to scrap the trip for me and dd and (gulp) send the boys with their dad. If we go I'd stay with her during the day....just would skip the skiing part myself.
Thanks...

[beverlyanderic]

i think everyone's situation is different, but some experts say going on a trip can just be another disruption a non-fully attached child doesn't need.

i'm thinking if you are going to be with her the whole time, then why not, right?

to be 100% safe, you can stay home as the guys go and then that can be some very strong bonding time.

good luck with your decision!
eric

[Tamiswaiting]

It's probably varies depending on the child, but Kevin has been home since August 29 and we just got back from our Disney trip last night. He did great after being home for less than 5 months. If your baby is pretty laid back, it should be OK. If changes freak her out, maybe not. Just try to read how she seems to react to different situations.

[lyssie]

sunds like a tough decision! It sounds like there are benefits to either scenerio. I am in a similar boat right now home 6 weeks...but, not so normalized yet...Good luck deciding!

[melissa41]

Our DS came home in June 2007 (7 months old). We live overseas so we went from Guatemala to SC to visit family before going back home. We then wanted to go back to SC in October (just 3.5 months after we got home). We did a test with DS by going to a hotel for one night a few hours away. He did great. We all slept in the big King bed together and no problems so off to SC (a long flight) and he did fine. Of course we were with him ALL the time. He co-sleeps with one of us or both of us so even though he may be in different environments, he is still with us, routine is the same, etc. Since then we have gone back to SC again in Dec for the holidays. Yes, I miss home and love my family so even though it is hard to travel, it is fun to go see family and be in America (God bless America!!!) We have also done a few other weekend trips. Our ds is becoming a great traveler. So I say go for it. Just try to keep the routine as consistent as possible. Good luck.

Also, we wore DS in the Ergo in "new situations" so he felt comfortable and in a safe place. We used the Ergo a ton the first 5 months so it was his comfort zone. We still use it occasionally and he still loves it...even though he weighs quite a bit more, the Ergo is still comfortable for me.

[kirbystarcat]

Our DD came home at 19 months old and having been in a hogar her whole life. I travelled alone with her to visit an ill family member 3 weeks after we got home. We were together 100% of the time. It is actually the only time I've ever been able to get her to co-sleep comfortably. It turned out fine, and I am grateful she got to meet her great-grandma and I have pictures of them together. DD is a very laid back child and we have had only very minor attachment/adjustment issues that have resolved themselves.

[LilmissBrianna]

We are hopefully bringing home our little on in about 2 weeks. We are flying to the beach for Easter. I don't think that it will disrupt anything as long as you are there as a family.

[Michelle Smiles]

Every child is different so go with your gut.

We went on a beach vacation about 6 weeks after Sabrina came home but I had fostered for 2 months before she came home so that might be why it didn't phase her (and she is a very laid back child).

[TerriBB]

Flora was home about 4.5 months when we went to Florida. She LOVED being with us 24/7 and had some attachment issues. Sleep was rough - she didn't like sleeping in the hotel.

This said, she's AWFUL not sleeping in her own bed! She's not good at co-sleeping (it should be a pillow fight!) We went on vacation again...she was home about 9 months...once again, didn't like sleeping in the hotel. Over Christmas this year we stayed one night with IL's...it wasn't her own bed.

We usually travel with a friend & my mom...so we get adjoining rooms and we "tag team" her sleeping.

During the day she's a joy on vacation...all of her peeps all of the time!!

[akasohappy]

Kate was home almost 6 months when we went to the beach and she loved it. Not the sand (ha ha), but just being out and about with us.
It seemed to really strengthen our family bond.
You know what I guess we did travel quite a bit after she came home. Just to relatives houses, etc. and she did fine.
As long as you stay with her the whole time I think she would be fine.

[joyloo]

We took DS with us to VT on a weekend getaway for the first time last weekend with our friends and their toddler. DS seemed to really enjoy himself and slept fine ( he slept in the pack & play with us in our room ). One thing I did notice though was that he did not like eating out at all. Normally he really enjoys eating out with us. In hindsight I think it would have been easier for him if we ate all our meals at the cottage. I would say try to stay away from too much stimulation.

Have a good time if you do decide to go!

joy

[shanpine]

Thank you guys for the info....today was an "iffy" day, so it's making me rethink things. I don't want my boys to think I'm not there for them 100% either though, you know???

[TXTennis]

After being home one year, DD has not slept anywhere else but home. We were huge travelers before DD, but I worry about her sleep.

We came home late on Thanksgiving night and DD had a horrible nights rest. She only slept for 3 hours and screamed all night. And this was because she went to bed a few hours late.

I will be taking her this summer on vacation though.

[BobMiami]

Lol, I used to joke that my son has eaten gum off the floor of every major airport in 3 continents. (Pretty close.)

Okay, not quite, but I am single and used to travel a lot for work. When I returned to work (after 12 weeks) each time I had to travel I took my son with me (and usually the nanny). My little guy is a pro at traveling, and didn't mind it at all. (I did-- it was way too expensive for me!).

In my situation, being with me (or the nanny) was the important thing. But then again, he didn't have a "thing" for his own bed. He did have a thing if I left overnight.

Unless you feel that your child is very, very attached to her bed or her room or something, I would take her. I suspect that you and her family are the most important things.

[Mariais5]

Well, we flew home on Tuesday with Sofie, age 10 months, and flew back out on Saturday for vacation! We went on a cruise with friends, and everyone, including Sofie, had an awesome time. That was over 6 months ago, and Sofie is still so close to our friends that we vacationed with, and she's even spent the nigh with them a couple of times.. I'm sure it depends on the child, so good luck with your decision!