https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 07:22:21 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacations-for-family-of-5#post-2928110 Fri, 17 Mar 2023 13:57:22 +0000 PinkElephant 2928110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m looking to plan a summer trip for our family of five (kids will be 11, 9, and 6) and as usual am struggling finding accommodations that will allow us to all stay in one unit (ideally a 2 bedroom unit with living area). I would love specific resort, suggestions, or even suggestions of destinations that tend to have a lot of these properties. We’ve been to Turks and Caicos’s multiple times, so was hoping for something different. Costa Rica was on my list, but I’m striking out on the five-person issue. Prefer something on EST or CST because hubby may need to work while we are there.</p> <p>Thanks for any leads! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/update-me-on-restaurant-etiquette#post-2928091 Tue, 14 Mar 2023 18:33:57 +0000 MoonMoon 2928091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't really dined in restaurants since pre-pandemic, so never with two kids. My older kid is fine wherever, but my 2 year-old is definitely rambunctious. That being said, what types of restaurants would taking two kids including a toddler be a bad idea? For example I'm searching for some restaurants with outdoor seating near our hotel for an upcoming trip. A few are beer gardens. Is that bad? Is it a matter of time of day? </p> <p>I know this all probably sounds really basic but I need to be reminded how to dine out and what to keep in mind for the two year-old! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/amazon-fire-for-kids-on-plane-questionshelp#post-2928075 Fri, 10 Mar 2023 03:06:01 +0000 cake2017 2928075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just bought 2 of these and about to travel via plane. I’m not tech savvy so please help! lol</p> <p>How can they watch shows or play a game while in air? Currently, Amazon kids is on it and i’m logged in… how do I have everything set up so it works? Do I need to download the airlines app? thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/taking-kids-to-pearl-harbor#post-2927495 Sun, 25 Sep 2022 22:13:22 +0000 Corduroy 2927495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids will be 9 and 7 when we're planning to go to Hawaii in Feb. Pearl Harbor is one of two places my dad wants to go on the trip and I'm trying to decide if it makes sense to take the kids.</p> <p>Has anyone taken kids this age to Pearl Harbor? I remember finding it fascinating as a teen but even at that age my travel companions had trouble not goofing off during the visit. DH's grandfather survived Pearl Harbor so I imagine it will be a pretty impactful place for him. I'd love to share the history and family connection with the kids but I can only picture it being a really high stress day where I want the kids to be on their best behavior and connect with history... and they're just (tired, bored).... kids. </p> <p>Everything I've read online makes it sound like Pearl Harbor is doable with kids. Am I being overly negative? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/washington-dc-trip#post-2927411 Sun, 21 Aug 2022 20:38:55 +0000 bakingdoodle 2927411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2 adults, 2 kids (9 &amp;7). Arriving in Baltimore before lunch. We elected to not rent a car and take public transportation. Our plan is to go the Aquarium that Thursday afternoon. Sleep one night in Baltimore. We picked a hotel walking distance to the Aquarium. Any food recommendation?<br /> Next day, we are going to Washington DC. We are going mainly for the zoo because my daughter is a huge fan of pandas. We are hoping to go to the zoo on that Friday. Leaving on Sunday late afternoon. Any thing we should be going to? Is the Spy museum really worth it?<br /> I heard that the Air &amp; Space Museum is closed but that the one at Dulles is opened. Is it worth a trek (we won't have a car...) Any food recommendation? I wanted to get some pastries ( I am sad that Maison Kayser closed... so any place I should go to?)<br /> I wanted to go to the Kusama exhibit at the Hirshhorn but it's hard to get entrance tickets right now because of reservations... and zoo is more important.<br /> Thanks for the recommendations! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/podcast-and-audiobook-recommendations-for-summer-roadtrip#post-2927075 Tue, 24 May 2022 00:51:36 +0000 Corduroy 2927075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What have you been listening to lately, both with and without the kids?</p> <p>I've got a few road trips ahead shuttling the kids to and from Camp Grandma &amp; Grandpa and I'm looking for something capitvating to listen to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-time-for-long-haul-flight-with-kids#post-2927039 Mon, 16 May 2022 08:49:06 +0000 Chuckles 2927039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Next year we're taking an amazing trip to Tanzania, Kenya, and Zanzibar. Our kids will be 3 and almost 10. For a long travel day with kids, and a big time zone difference, do you think it's better to leave in the evening and hope they'll sleep on the plane or better to fly during the day? Also, best tips on helping kids adjust to a new time zone? It will be 8 hours later there. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-planning-disney-trip-for-large-group#post-2926442 Sun, 13 Mar 2022 12:35:33 +0000 HappyBaker 2926442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Disney pros - help! I’m tasked with planning a trip for our family plus in laws (grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins) - 12 people total. While I LOVED planning Disney for my own family a few years ago I’m feeling overwhelmed at planning for such a big group, and none of them are planners nor have any real strong feelings on what we do. Last time I used touring plans and loved it, but genie plus being all booked on the day of seems so annoying!</p> <p>Any overall tips for surviving planning for a large group, or using genie plus with a large group?</p> <p>We have 5 full days there with no travel and are planning 3 park days. Which parks would you do? I’m thinking at least 1.5 Magic Kingdom and then maybe Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. </p> <p>Last time we rope dropped and loved getting a bunch done early, but I know that no one else will be ready to go early. Should we wait for them or just meet them there? We are also staying offsite, our family will have a car but the rest want to just use Uber or Lyft. </p> <p>Thanks for any help! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airplane-etiquette#post-2926405 Wed, 02 Mar 2022 18:43:27 +0000 Meso 2926405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As an adult, I wouldn't take my shoes off while on a plane, but what are your thoughts on a child doing it, ages 5 and 8. Just wondering what the proper etiquette is? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hotel-and-meals-with-toddler#post-2926394 Sun, 27 Feb 2022 20:47:48 +0000 SweetCaroline 2926394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actively avoid traveling with kids! I have a 7 year old and a 21 month old. We are active campers but have not stayed in a hotel with both kids. Previous trips when the 7 year old was 3-4 were train wrecks (up till midnight, etc.). The pandemic has made it easy to avoid this challenge!</p> <p>We are going to an indoor water park for 3 nights for Spring Break. Looking for tips! I would like to avoid restaurants. A little bit is pandemic hesitancy but also don’t want to take a 2 year old to a restaurant! We will rely on takeout. Thinking we could do bagels, cereal, muffins for breakfast. We will have a fridge but not a microwave. Prob bring PBJ makings, maybe instant oatmeal and easy Mac. </p> <p>We will bring painters tape, travel crib, disinfectant wipes, bags for diapers, plastic tablecloths for in room picnics, sound machine, melatonin for sis. One parent will take big sis on adventure while little bro goes to sleep at night. Sadly we just have the one room, no suite. Bro has a travel crib. </p> <p>I need all the tips! Good food, other key packing items, any hacks you find useful. I appreciate it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-vacation-planning#post-2926225 Sat, 29 Jan 2022 16:37:38 +0000 bakingdoodle 2926225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can I dream that COVID will be gone by summer?? I haven't seen in person my parents in over 2 years :(<br /> We are trying to plan a big family outing somewhere (vague!! anything (Costa Rica? Cancun? anywhere in the Caribbean) or in the US except Florida...<br /> Has anybody rented a huge villa (we need room for about 14 people. 8 adults, 6 kids. kids age ranged from few months to 12)... maybe in a resort? or suggestions that has activities close by? We would love a pool... and front beach property ... or walkable to the beach... Does that even exist??</p> <p>Thanks!!<br /> we thought about going to a resort... and just rent hotel rooms but we would like to have a common place where the kids can hangout... and that's why I was thinking of a big house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/north-carolina-for-the-day#post-2925909 Tue, 28 Dec 2021 16:14:47 +0000 mrswin 2925909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are going to be in Charlotte for one day in early Feb and are looking for a kid friendly activity to do with our 6 year old daughter.<br /> I have narrowed it down to the Sea Life Aquarium or the Discovery Place Museum.<br /> Which one is better - anything else I should consider? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/naples-fl-in-february-travel-recs-please#post-2926142 Tue, 18 Jan 2022 00:15:20 +0000 bees_knees 2926142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any suggestions on things to do, places to see? We'll be there for a week, staying at an airbnb with my parents and my brother and SIL. </p> <p>ETA we have 4 kids ages 2-7. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/road-trip-stops-between-boston-and-pigeon-forge-tn#post-2926134 Mon, 17 Jan 2022 15:29:32 +0000 HappyBaker 2926134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We’re embarking on our longest road trip with kids in a few months - if anyone is familiar with this drive and has recommendations for places to stop along the way please share! We’re planning to break the drive into two days each way. Kids are 9, 7 and 4 and used to 7 hour drives to see their grandparents so I’m not really worried about the car time, I’d just like for them to see some things we haven’t seen before since we’ll be in lots of new states for them. So far I’m thinking maybe Lancaster PA for a few hours and Natural Bridge park in VA. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/entertaining-olderish-kids-on-grandparent-visits#post-2925629 Thu, 02 Dec 2021 10:31:09 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2925629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm deeply overthinking this and would love some input :)</p> <p>My daughter is 8, an only child (so no built-in playmates), and we are planning a longer than typical trip to visit her grandparents the week after Christmas/into New Year. It's been 2 years since we've traveled and the way she plays and spends time has changed quite a bit and I'm concerned that she's going to get easily bored. </p> <p>Some context - my parents, where my daughter and I will stay, live in a one-bedroom apartment. My mom will absolutely buy her anything she wants to have and has already asked many times, but there's limited room AND my kid really isn't into toys. At home she plays with construction materials (magnatiles, bristle blocks, and Lego sets that she built over the years and now re-arranges into various scenes). I can bring some of those things with me from home but obviously not much. </p> <p>I am planning to find some outdoor activities for us (hikes, maybe a zoo or some light walks), and bring some board games, books and some toys with me, but I'm still anxious that she won't have much to get into. My mom is a couple months post knee surgery and my in-laws are almost entirely immobile, so outings with them are going to be limited. </p> <p>Anything I'm missing or anything that worked well for you in this type of situation? Also anyone in northern NJ, I'd love ideas for outings! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/orlando-uber-or-lyft-with-car-seat-other-options#post-2925418 Mon, 08 Nov 2021 14:13:51 +0000 bhbee 2925418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has anyone been recently and used this service? I’m not even sure it’s still available or how hard it is to find one. </p> <p>We just need airport transfer in February and uber sounds so much easier than the expensive shuttle to our Universal hotel, but no way do I want to lug our convertible seat (for 3 year old). Bringing a booster isn’t so bad but I hate carrying the big seat so looking for a service to provide it. </p> <p>Other transportation options you liked are great too. Thanks for any advice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/harry-potter-orlando#post-2924362 Fri, 16 Jul 2021 11:51:56 +0000 bhbee 2924362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Anyone been to HP at Universal with kids and want to give me some tips??</p> <p>We are just starting to plan a trip for my oldest’s 10th bday. She is OBSESSED with HP and we’re planning 3 days in the park. I think she will want to repeat some things but more than that I don’t want to feel like we have to rush since we’ll have a 3 year old too (and a 7 year old - he likes HP but we’ll also hit up some other things at Universal). I’m thinking we’ll aim for early in the park, come back to nap etc, go back later in the day. </p> <p>Our plan is to stay on property to get the perks from that. Probably end of January or maybe early February. </p> <p>Any tips welcome, for kids or adults! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-for-fun-favorite-family-vacation#post-2924327 Tue, 13 Jul 2021 08:25:13 +0000 josina 2924327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What has been your favorite family vacation? I'd love some ideas for future trips, especially that are family-friendly! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-cross-country-with-toddler#post-2924311 Sat, 10 Jul 2021 08:07:27 +0000 MrsJBeeG 2924311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m so excited! In less than two months we will be moving cross country. After a family member got sick - we decided we can’t live so far from all of our family. We will be with an hour of some of both of our families. And more family plan to move that direction in the next year. </p> <p>My question is we literally have to drive across the country - two vehicles, a 15 month old and a dog. I’ll be driving the baby and DH will have the dog. We’ve taken our kiddo across country to see our family member but she was younger, slept more and both of us were in the same vehicle. It wasn’t a bad trip at all. I am nervous about driving with her by myself as I know I will have to stop more. </p> <p>Any ideas besides a rear seat mirror and tablet (which I have and will use at times)? I’m thinking maybe some new toys just for the trip that I can keep in the front seat to offer her, a cooler of drinks and snacks she likes? I’m guessing I just have to be ready for a slow trip. DH plans to be close by so that he can help with stops but I’m not confident he won’t just decide to go ahead. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-kids-this-summer#post-2923968 Fri, 04 Jun 2021 15:08:57 +0000 lady baltimore 2923968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am struggling to make a decision about travel this summer, and I think I need a gut check about what other people are feeling is reasonable at this point. I have not yet eaten at a restaurant or gathered for a family holiday, so in some ways I think I am having trouble ripping off the bandage with some return-to-normal activities.</p> <p>We already have two (driving distance) beach vacations planned for this summer, where we will stay in a condo with my vaccinated parents and our unvaccinated 5-year-old. We also may drive to visit my husband's family (vaccinated adults, 2 unvaxed kids). I feel confident about and comfortable with all of those plans.</p> <p>Now we have been invited to fly to visit several different family members from different states who will all be in the same area at the same time. We are talking about vaccinated adults and teens from at least 4 different households, plus a handful of unvaccinated kids from 2 of those households. We would not be staying with these groups, but I imagine would be socializing with them heavily, and expect that some of that time could be indoors, or unmasked at meals. </p> <p>My concerns:<br /> -Is it irresponsible to socialize in this way while my daughter is in school (she is enrolled in her school's summer session)?<br /> -I think it is likely that I would be asking my daughter to wear her mask in situations in which none of the other children are required to - is this unfair to her, or setting myself up to cave?</p> <p>What would you do in this situation? What are your summer travel plans, and what pandemic-related adjustments have you made? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toys-for-one-year-old#post-2923902 Thu, 27 May 2021 16:48:33 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2923902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are going on a pretty big road trip. I want to pack some toys for the kids for while we are at our accommodations/working. Big kids will probably take legos, drawing supplies. I’m stumped on what to take for the one year old. He probably won’t care either way. But...I want to take some things that will help it feel more like home. Suggestions? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kid-friendly-vacations-that-arent-the-beach#post-2923238 Wed, 07 Apr 2021 12:04:34 +0000 krispi 2923238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for a summer vacation kids would enjoy that aren't the beach. We (parents) will be fully vaccinated by that time, but I'm not sure we're ready to fly yet, so ideal would be driving distance from Atlanta. </p> <p>We've done beach vacations for the last several years, including renting a socially distant beach house last year, and my husband is tired of the beach. Our daughter is 5, so I'm not sure she's up for too many historical sights or heavy sight seeing yet. And aside from maybe camping, I can't think of too many alternatives.</p> <p>Obviously case numbers and health requirements at that time will factor into the decision. I'm hoping that with the current pace of vaccines we can find something over the summer that isn't super risky.</p> <p>We're probably looking at a week in July. We'll have our daughter and maybe 1-2 other kids with us, all in the under 5 age range. (We're foster parents, so it's a little hard predicting the future state of placements.) Any suggestions are welcome! What have your kids enjoyed?</p> <p>PS. We're thinking Disney for spring break 2022 after things are hopefully a bit more "normal". I'm pretty sure my husband would complain constantly about the Disney heat if we went this summer. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costa-rica#post-2920936 Wed, 18 Nov 2020 09:47:42 +0000 Jess1483 2920936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm putting all my faith in Pfizer and Dr. Fauci right now, but we are potentially planning a trip with my parents and our three kiddos (would be 9, 6, and 2) to Costa Rica next winter (December 2021-January 2022.) </p> <p>We are just starting the planning process, but I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts on travel there with kids. We're considering an all-inclusive, but are open to a wide range of possibilities. Nothing too rustic, or my dad is out ;) Any locations you loved? Parts of Costa Rica to explore? Any information is helpful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/florida-resort-recommendation#post-2916286 Mon, 08 Jun 2020 18:38:07 +0000 mrskansas 2916286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am looking for a kid friendly (5 yrs) resort on the beach in Florida. Bonus if it's close to the Destin airport with a private beach. Send me recommendations :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-drive-tips-17-hours#post-2916086 Tue, 02 Jun 2020 20:24:10 +0000 bhbee 2916086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We’re considering driving to see grandparents this summer to avoid the risks of flying. Also cheaper and more flexible. And a trial for someday taking longer road trips for vacations. </p> <p>However we’ve never done more than 5-6 hours with kids. They are 8, 5 and 1.5. The toddler seems toughest since she’s RF and isn’t as interested in screens. </p> <p>Overall tips for survival? Product recommendations for watching movies in the car or charging devices? (We don’t have anything built in.) Is this a terrible idea? I want to view it as an adventure but trying to be realistic ... </p> <p>Thinking maybe I should get some longer audio books from the library for the 8 year old (she gets car sick if she reads), we still have Epic from school which the 5 year old can use to read to him, we can do movies if we figure out a setup, and the toddler will at least for some of the time watch Little Baby Bum on an iPad. </p> <p>All ideas welcome thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summer-vaca#post-2915857 Tue, 26 May 2020 09:08:38 +0000 winter_wonder 2915857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Talk to me about summer vacations! Are you thinking of going anywhere? If so, where?</p> <p>We thought we might try to go camping with DD, but still deciding on that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/traveling-during-the-covid-pandemic#post-2915183 Mon, 11 May 2020 05:17:49 +0000 MrsADS 2915183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I need someone to tell me I'm crazy or tell me this is okay! I am seriously thinking about traveling with my 2 kids to my mom and stepdad's house in another state for a few weeks. </p> <p>Background - my husband and I are now working from home indefinitely. He works FT, I work 3 days/week. We have our 2yo and 4yo at home with us. Working has proven to be basically impossible. My 4yo has some special needs, and needs like 100% supervision. The kids are bored out of their minds. We have no help or family in our state.</p> <p>My mom and stepdad are in their early 60s and retired. My mom has been asking me if I want to travel to their house and then quarantine there for a few weeks so they can help watch my boys, entertain them, and I can get some work done. </p> <p>This sounds like a great idea to me, but for the fact that I know we shouldn't be doing any "non-essential" traveling... and I know we should probably just stay home. Both my family and my mom have been staying at home except for getting groceries.</p> <p>Is this a totally crazy idea?! I'm really torn. But we are seriously losing it here with the kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-york-city-trip#post-2910602 Sat, 22 Feb 2020 14:35:57 +0000 MommySLP 2910602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Looking to book a trip next spring during spring break and everyone is voting for New York City. We live in California, so it would be a pretty big trip. I’ve been multiple times, but haven’t been since 2006, and I don’t even remember where we stayed. It would me &amp; DH, plus kids (3, 7, &amp; 9) and my in laws (70s in good shape). No one else has been. Suggestions for areas to stay? We could do hotel rooms or maybe VRBO?? I know they will want to do tourist things. Is 3.5 too young to take? Is April a good month to visit? Thanks!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/philadelphia-recommendations-1#post-2910274 Sun, 16 Feb 2020 11:35:14 +0000 LadyDi 2910274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We’re going to Philadelphia for a wedding in early April and bringing the kids and making a long weekend out of it. Does anyone have any kid friendly activities or ideas? They are all 4 and under so probably won’t appreciate the Liberty bell just yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-bees-tell-me-about-buenos-aires-argentina-with-a-toddler#post-2901622 Tue, 05 Nov 2019 21:31:20 +0000 yellowbeach 2901622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I opted not to do Lima after all since the consensus was that DD (3 at the time of trip) is too young for Machu Picchu. </p> <p>We are looking at flights from Dulles to BA, and are wondering about the best other cities/villages to explore as we’ll be there for a solid 10-12 days and have time to travel within the country. </p> <p>We are open to all things - especially good food, nature/animal experiences, local shopping, Pre-Columbian culture and hx. I will be 20 weeks preggo at the time if all goes well. </p> <p>Thx in advance! </p>