https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:10:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2482962 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 11:49:59 +0000 DesertDreams88 2482962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in Arizona and the vast majority of my huge family lives in Connecticut. By huge I mean 22 aunts and uncles &amp; 27 cousins.</p> <p>I did go home for a baby shower for three reasons. 1, I have a large family all centrally located in one place, so I knew pretty much they would all be able to attend. 2, this baby took a long time getting here and so I really wanted to celebrate. 3, it was the first baby of this generation so I knew people would be really excited too.</p> <p>2) I asked my mom to come for the birth and about 2 weeks postpartum, and she did. It was a huge blessing and she was amazing support during labor and postpartum recovery. My dad and in laws have more specific work schedules, so is very much up to them when to visit. My dad is the same one little one is 7 weeks old, and my in laws are visiting when he is 8-9 weeks old. My darlin inlaws are you coming for a week. My mom and my dad stayed with us, because we have a guest bed for one. My inlaws will not stay with us, because we don't have enough space and they love staying in hotels.</p> <p>3) I don't know when our first trip back home will be. My husband I are both teachers, so our schedule is predetermined by the school schedule, because we can't really take any other time off. We talked about a trip in the summer when he is 4-5 month old, or a trip around Christmas when he is 11 months old. But really there's no other options in terms of schedule anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2482869 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 11:06:20 +0000 MrsBucky 2482869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. I had a baby shower here which my in laws came to and a baby shower at home (4 hour flight away) thrown by my sister. Everyone knew I was traveling so I mostly got gift cards or pictures wrapped up of stuff that had been shipped to our home :) You can also always return and rebuy, which I did in some cases.</p> <p>2. Hubs and I were alone with my son for the first week. My mom came for two or three weeks after that first week. My MIL came later for a week- maybe when he was 11 weeks, I think? I told literally no one when I went into labor, which was a point of consternation for a while... but everybody got over it. Both my mom and MIL stayed with us (we have a two bedroom apartment, but baby was mostly staying in our room anyway at that point). Having my mom there early on was amazing- she cooked for us, cleaned up, and took the 5 am shift rocking him so I could get a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. Also she held him so I could shower without guilt :)</p> <p>3. I took the train solo to my BIL's wedding at 13 weeks. From there I flew with my parents to my hometown after the wedding. We drove 8 hours to my in laws home when he was 5 months old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2482781 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 10:24:08 +0000 Ajsmommy 2482781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. I had a baby shower local to me, at my house :) my mom and aunt came and threw it for me. They live about 5 hours away.<br /> 2. I was induced so I called my mom when I was about to check in and told her to come the next morning. She did. I didn't have DD until 36 hours after my mom got there. Then she stayed with us for one week.<br /> 3. First trip to visit them was when DD was 7 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2482709 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 09:51:32 +0000 looch 2482709@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. No baby shower in any location, so not a consideration.<br /> 2. My mom had planned to come and stay for two weeks in January, I was due in December. She arrived when my son was 5 weeks old.<br /> 3. First trip back home was when my son turned 6 months of age.</p> <p>I was in Europe when my son was born, my immediate family was/is in the US, so trips involved a flight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2482700 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 09:47:01 +0000 LovelyPlum 2482700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My family are all in the same city, which is about a 3.5 hour drive away from here.</p> <p>1. I did go back for a baby shower, at about 35 weeks. My doctor was OK with it, and there are good hospitals there, should I have needed it.</p> <p>2. My parents were going to come up when I went into labor, but they decided against it when I actually did go into labor. We were fine with it either way, and I know for sure they would have come had I asked them. I went into labor around 2:00 p.m., and baby was born at 8:10 a.m. the next morning. I don't think they had any concrete ideas about when they would come up after she was born, but by 3:00 p.m. on the day she was born, my mom was on the phone asking if I minded if they came that night. My dad was SO anxious to meet the baby. So, they drove 3 hours, stayed for 2, and then drove 3 hours back that night just because they couldn't stand to wait to meet her. It was both insane and very cute. My mother-in-law (~7 hours away) came the day I got home from the hospital, and my mom came back the following week). Both my MIL and my mom stayed with us, which was helpful.</p> <p>3. We went down to see my parents about 2 weeks after she was born. We decided not to go down for Easter (~10 days later), but by the following weekend, we were ready for my sisters and grandmothers to meet her. It was very low key and a good time to go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2482391 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 00:44:11 +0000 ModernDayJibarita 2482391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>our families live in Puerto Rico and we live in Ohio, it's an expensive 9hr flight time trip.</p> <p>1. No, but my mom is hosting a SKYPE shower for me on Saturday. She shared the registry info with those who asked and all the gifts were shipped to my house, so we'll do the gift opening through video chat. They'll have a onesie making station and 2 games (guess size of belly and word scramble) We are gonna give them a virtual tour of the nursery and surprise them with a gender reveal! </p> <p>2. My parents will be arriving in the states a week before my due date (my dad's flight leaves a week after my DD and my mom flies out a month after my due date). The first week they have resort booked in Gatlinburg but the rest of the time they would stay with us. If baby is one week + late then they will be home when I go into labor (my least preferred scenario) but if baby comes early they ll be in PR or Gatlinburg.</p> <p>3. We are planning to travel to PR when baby is 2-2.5 months old </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2482314 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 22:09:56 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2482314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm 11 hours away from my parent's primary home (and my extended family). My parents also have a vacation/retirement home 5.5 hours away from us.</p> <p>1. I flew home for a baby shower when I was around 30 weeks. </p> <p>2. My parents went down to their vacation home about a month prior to my due date, planning to stay until DD was born. I was induced three weeks early and called them to head up my way as soon as we started the induction. My labor ended up being over 36 hours before my C-section so they were there for much of my labor and were able to meet DD right away!</p> <p> They stayed at my house while we were in the hospital and took care of our dog. My mom also stayed for 4 days after we came home from the hospital. She was planning to stay a week but left early because she said that we had everything under control and didn't need her.</p> <p>3. Our first trip back home (where all my extended family is) was when DD was 3.5 months old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2482261 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 21:26:56 +0000 ScarletBegonia 2482261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live a minimum of a 20 hour flight from my parents. I'm in Sydney,Australia, they are in Ottawa, Canada</p> <p>1. Did you go home for a baby shower? If so, did you drive so that it was easier to bring gifts back or did you fly due it being easier? Did anyone go after the baby was born and make it more a meet the baby kind of thing?<br /> Definitely didn't go home for a shower, but I was very lucky that my parents travelled to Australia twice in the space of 5 months, once before I delivered and once after, My best friends planned my shower so that my mom could be here for it. </p> <p>2. After you gave birth when did your family come visit? Was anyone there before you started going into labor? I don't think I want anyone to come down until after I give birth but I'm not sure. How long did they stay? Did they stay with you?<br /> My parents came when my son was 5 weeks old. It was absolutely perfect. My husband took nearly 3 weeks off, so I had him home with me, then about 2 weeks on my own to get used to our daily routine (as much as you have a routine in those early weeks) and then my parents came to the rescue when I was pretty worn out and sleep deprived. They stayed 6 weeks, and stayed with us, but had their own room with a sitting area and TV so we could all escape from each other if need be. It was a usual thing for us, my parents had been to visit at least 8 times, usually for a month or more, and always stayed with us. </p> <p>3. When did you go home for the first time with the baby?<br /> I flew home solo with my son when he was 4 months. oof. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2482243 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 21:16:44 +0000 catomd00 2482243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. My mom didn't throw me a shower but for my wedding shower I flew to it. DHs parents had driven up and drove some gifts back, others my mom stored, and we got the rest when we drove up one time at a later date.</p> <p>2. By choice I waited to tell my mom I was in labor when I knew it was too late for her to get there in time. She came the next day and stayed in a hotel for 10 days. My dad and sister came towards the end of her stay. It was fine since they had a hotel, but a little long. They weren't helpful and I felt I had to host but that's just how they are. I would never allow anyone to stay in my home after giving birth.</p> <p>3. I flew solo to visit (90 min flight) when DD was 6 weeks old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2482123 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 19:51:19 +0000 brownepiano 2482123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Parents are an 8 hour drive, inlaws 45 min. </p> <p>I had a late Feb baby, so we had a shower with family and church over Christmas. It was a little late to be traveling but not bad.</p> <p>My parents came when they had school break which overlapped with the week I was due. It was both good and bad because I was sick of being pregnant and felt this insane pressure every night/morning because I wasn't in labor yet. Baby didn't come till 10 days later, after they had left. They helped get the apartment ready though. They came back when he was a few weeks old, when they could have time off again. Both times they stayed at another apartment because we didn't have space. </p> <p>Inlaws didn't come to the hospital at all (I was kind of bummed, actually because I felt like they didn't care that I'd just had their first grandson!) and finally came to see us when he was a week old or so? They came up periodically over the first few months but never really seemed to know what to do with a newborn. </p> <p>We went back to see my parents at the end of the summer, so around 6 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2482111 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 19:44:06 +0000 jape14 2482111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I live about 8 hours away from our mutual hometown. </p> <p>1. We did have a shower at home with both of our families and hometown friends. We drove home but did the drive in one shot. I was 31 weeks pregnant at the time and it wasn't that bad, but I had a relatively easy pregnancy and didn't experience any swelling. (I think we made one more stop than usual for me to pee.) </p> <p>2. No out-of-town family came until after the baby was born. I was induced at 41+1 and was pretty sure I'd be late all along, so no one had any plans or assumptions about being there for the birth. My dad and sisters drove overnight on the evening of the day we left the hospital so they could spend the next day with us and meet DS, but we could settle in a little at home first. They just stayed for the day and then drove back that night. (They are awesome! And my sister made me padsicles haha.) Then, my ILs came to stay with us for a week when DS was 3 weeks old. That was a little much for me bc my MIL can be a little high maintenance. After that, my dad came for about 1.5 weeks and my sister came for a 4-day weekend. They were really helpful and I did not want them to leave! Then, they came back for Thanksgiving (which was the week before I went back to work). </p> <p>3. We went home for Christmas when DS was about 3.5 months old. We drove overnight both ways and the drive wasn't too bad. However, the actual visit was rough bc he went through the 4-month sleep regression while we were all staying in the same room at my ILs. I would highly recommend avoiding making the first trip home around the 3.5-4.5 month mark! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2482107 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 19:41:49 +0000 regberadaisy 2482107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelingnanny: my situation is a little different as I "sit month" so my mom had to be here for the month immediately following labor.</p> <p>1) no, my shower was local to me. My family travelled up and my MIL at the time lived in Georgia. She flew up with our older niece for the shower. My side doesn't traditionally do baby showers so it made more sense to have one locally where all of DH's family was.</p> <p>2) my mom had tickets to fly up and just so happened it was the same day. DH left after the baby arrived To go get her. She stayed with us for a little over 2 months. It was equally the best and the worst thing as First time parents. :)</p> <p>3) she was about 9-1/2 weeks old? We drove my mom back during July 4th weekend so my family could meet her.</p> <p>Are you pregnant???</p> <p>ETA: I absolutely did not want my mom around during labor! She doesn't speak English and seriously stressed me out sometimes. I did not need that extra stress and play translator during childbirth! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2482103 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 19:38:15 +0000 Applesandbananas 2482103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I drove home for the shower and took presents home in the car, which worked well. </p> <p>No one came for delivery, but LO came a month early and quickly so no one could've even if they'd wanted to. </p> <p>We went home 4m after he arrived. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2482069 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 19:24:26 +0000 Miss Ariel 2482069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. I didn't have a shower at home. Although I did have a bridal shower there. My moh included a note on the invitations to mail gifts to me, but bring a card with a picture of the gift so we could still open gifts.</p> <p>2. It was complicated because I was due in December which made flights expensive with holidays. My dad and grandma booked flights and happened to arrive the day after I left the hospital. They stayed for a week in a hotel.</p> <p>3. Around 9 months. My dad keeps asking when we'll visit again, but I have no idea. Especially since I'm due again in October.</p> <p>With that said I would imagine several of my answers would be different if my mom was still alive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2482063 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 19:18:03 +0000 LilSprinkles 2482063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. We went home for the baby shower. We were in the process of moving across the country, so we had a truck with a uhall to store things (though we got lots of gift cards. But, for our wedding shower, I flew in. I got mostly gift cards or things were mailed to our house (we had a note that gift card/mail to house was the best option on our invite). We would of done that for our baby shower, but we didn't have a house yet.<br /> 2. It was only my husband and I when I gave birth. My mom visited a few weeks later after DH went back to work (10 days). My husband's family came about two months later for thanksgiving, and my family for Christmas.<br /> 3. The first time we went home was when DS was about 9 months. We drove there. DS's first airplane ride was around 7 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2482030 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 18:47:24 +0000 ClairHuxtable 2482030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. My family is about 12-ish hours away by car/2-ish hours away by plane. My baby was due in January, and I went home (and had a shower) over the Thanksgiving break (I would have gone home for Thanksgiving anyway, so it was intentionally planned for that time). Shower attendees knew that I flew in, so gifts were mainly gift cards, clothes, and other items that were easy to transport (larger items were mailed directly to us).</p> <p>2. My mom flew in three days before my EDD, and I went into labor that night (and had the baby the following day). My dad flew in after the baby was born. My dad stayed for a few days, but my mom ended up staying for a little over three weeks (they stayed with us). She cooked, cleaned, did laundry, helped with the baby - she was basically indispensable to my husband and me as new parents. I was genuinely sad to see her go.</p> <p>3. I went home for the first time with the baby (who, again, was born in January) for the Memorial Day weekend. He was just over four months old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2482011 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 18:31:53 +0000 Portboston 2482011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. I flew home for a baby shower. The invitation asked everyone to ship gifts since I wouldn't be able to bring them home with me. Everyone besides 1 person did that. (she bought a few onesies that were not on the registry so it wasn't a big deal) So the shower was great because everyone didn't get bored siting around watching me open gifts and I didn't have to be the center of attention! </p> <p>2. My mom flew in the day I went into labor. She had bought a refundable ticket for a few days before my due date so she would be here already if I went late. Well of course I went two weeks early. I had a very long labor so she made it with time to spare! I wasn't planning on having her in the room for LO's birth but after 26 hours I broke down and got an epidural and didn't care who the f*ck was in the room! hahah. She stayed for 7 weeks. LO was/is a really bad sleeper and we had reflux issues when he was a newborn. I also struggled with PPD so she stayed longer then originally planned to help me out.</p> <p>3. We went to visit my inlaws when LO was 6 months.(they are unable to travel due to health reasons) We were planning to go earlier but it just kept getting pushed back. At our 1 month check up, our pediatrician said we could go whenever but I wanted to wait until he was at least 2 months so he would have 1 round of vaccines (we are on a delayed schedule so he would have really only had minimal protection in those terms) He still ended up getting sick on our trip (croup) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2481980 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 17:59:04 +0000 BSB 2481980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelingnanny: </p> <p>1. Yes, I flew across the country for the baby shower. I had twins so we flew earlier than singleton pregnancies. I had my shower at 26 weeks. </p> <p>Everyone knew I was out of state so large gifts were mailed directly to our house. Clothes and small items were wrapped and given to us at the shower. I brought an extra luggage expecting to hold gifts. Stuff a large suitcase and paying $50 for a checked bag is way cheaper than using USPS/FexEx/UPS. Checked bags are your friend. Also, I got a hand me down stroller from my brother and I was able to get that shipped across for free! </p> <p>We did not have our shower after, but we did bring the babies home for Christmas. They were 3-4 months old. </p> <p>2. We had our twins early at 34 weeks (I was on 6 weeks of bed rest prior to their arrival). My family did not plan on travel until the babies were here. My brother scheduled his first trip after finding a great flight deal. We thought the babies would still be in the nicu but they ended up being released a few days before he arrived. He stayed for a few days. (Oh, we have a spare bedroom.) My mom &amp; sister flew out a few days after he went home. They stayed for about a week. My MIL came out a couple weeks later and stayed about 14 days. She has since flown out 4 times and stayed about 2-3 weeks. She is retired and so we pay for her last couple of flights. It's cheaper than hiring a nanny. Grandma care is great!</p> <p>3. Flew home when the babies were almost 4 months. Had they come out on their due date they were 3 months. It worked out because they had their first shots at 2 months. Unfortunately, they both got RSV towards the end of our trip and one of them needed to be in the PICU for 5 days. It was just bad luck. They could have gotten RSV while home, so it just sucked that it happened while we were home. Luckily lots of family were nearby so they all very very helpful while I made my trip to the hospital. </p> <p>My suggestion, pay extra for trip insurance!! For your baby shower trip and after the baby gets here! We had to use trip insurance when we needed to change our flights. We would be out $600 in change flight fees if it weren't for the trip insurance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2481931 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 17:14:24 +0000 PawPrints 2481931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. Did you go home for a baby shower? If so, did you drive so that it was easier to bring gifts back or did you fly due it being easier? Did anyone go after the baby was born and make it more a meet the baby kind of thing?</p> <p>Nope. Relatives/family sent us gifts sporadically, shower was just friends. </p> <p>2. After you gave birth when did your family come visit? Was anyone there before you started going into labor? I don't think I want anyone to come down until after I give birth but I'm not sure. How long did they stay? Did they stay with you?</p> <p>My parents arrived four weeks after EDD which turned out to be almost exactly four weeks after I gave birth. It was great. In-laws came out right after that.</p> <p>3. When did you go home for the first time with the baby?</p> <p>Still have not done this. LO is 11 months. Both sets of grandparents have flown out many times to visit us, and we went on one trip to see my grandmother and assorted relatives when LO was 5 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2481928 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 17:11:55 +0000 peaches1038 2481928@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. We live 12 hours from our family. Luckily, they live in the same town so we had a joint shower. We drove so we could bring everything home. </p> <p>2. We didn't want anyone to come for the birth. It was important to us that we have time to get to know our LO together, just us. My parents drove out 3 days later. They came back at Christmas and my sister and her bf came too. His family hasn't come yet. (He's four month old) </p> <p>3. We are going back in August so he can meet the rest of the family (i.e. My grandparents, DHs sisters and their fam) we would go back earlier but I didn't want to travel in the winter and due to work commitments, August is the first available time to travel </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2481921 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 17:06:47 +0000 Ms.Badger 2481921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in SoCal, hometown in Wisconsin. In-laws lives in Colorado, with all my DH's extended family in Minnesota.<br /> 1.) No baby shower in my hometown, close relatives sent gifts<br /> 2.)My parents came 4 weeks after baby was born for a week. In laws came 3 weeks after baby was born for a week. They stayed with us. My parents offered to come whenever I wanted them, I wanted to get into a rhythm before anyone stayed with us. I loved it, same schedule with both babies<br /> 3.) Visited WI between 2 months and 12 weeks. We had a "welcome baby" party. My in-laws live in a separate place than all of the rest of my DH's family. We went to a family wedding around 4 months with J where he met everyone. If not for the wedding we wouldn't have made the trip, never visited with L. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2481914 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 17:01:27 +0000 DenverMom 2481914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My family lives halfway across the country, and DH's family is 5 hours away. </p> <p>Baby 1: My parents flew out 2 weeks after the baby was born. My mom stayed with us for 5 weeks - TOO LONG! Parents in law came to visit later.</p> <p>Baby 2: My MIL drove up once I went into labor to stay with DS while we were at the hospital. She stayed for one week. My mom then flew out and stayed with us for 3 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2481899 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 16:51:29 +0000 Astro Bee 2481899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. I live halfway across the country from my family and a couple of hours from DH's family. My mom wanted to give me a shower complete with games and all the awkwardness that it involves, and which I hate. I said I'd fly home for it as long as it was before a certain date. She procrastinated and the date came and went. I ended up having one at DH's aunts house that was more my style: food and cake, but no games. My mom flew up for it and stayed a couple of weeks, since DH had to travel when I was 35 weeks. </p> <p>2. She came again a few days before my due date, and my dad came the day after my due date, since he had to work. DS came 4 days late, so it worked out. They left when he was 7 days old. </p> <p>3. I brought DS home for 3 weeks when he was 4 mo. But when he was just over 2 mo, DH had to travel out west where some of my dad's family now lives, so we went with him and DS (and DH) got to meet that side of the family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2481897 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 16:50:21 +0000 Aimed121 2481897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelingnanny: Probably quite a different answer as my family live on another continent so this is probably a bit more extreme than you can expect your situation.<br /> 1. Baby shower locally with friends, no family baby shower - but showers are not a tradition in my country so it wouldn't have mattered! (superstitious about gifts for baby before he/she is born). But my family mailed lots of stuff after LO was born.<br /> 2. No family came after LO was born because of cost/distance etc. One of my siblings came for LO's Christening to be a Godparent @ 5-6 months old.<br /> 3. We first took LO home at 9 months old. Unfortunately we can only take annual trips due to time and $$ so they only see LO once a year which both sucks and blows. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2481875 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 16:31:46 +0000 Eko 2481875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am sort of half and half. I live within 1.5 hours of my mom and my dad lives a 6 hour plane ride away. So, more related to my dad and your second and third points. My dad waited until DS was about 6 weeks old to come visit. DS was 4 months when we flew to see him - for Thanksgiving. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2481871 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 16:28:21 +0000 travelingnanny 2481871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm surprised so many of you had your parents around when you went into labor. I think I want to have everyone come after I am back home. Still debating since I've never given birth before. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2481853 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 16:19:46 +0000 justjules 2481853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in Houston and both DH and my families live in the east coast (4 hour flight). </p> <p>1. We went back for a baby shower when I was 35 weeks pregnant, and it was a pain trying to bring back the gifts. We flew southwest so thankfully we each had 2 checked bags for free. We filled those up best we could but it was a hassle and there are still random items at my in-laws house that we couldn't bring (same kind of thing happened at Christmas) </p> <p>2. My mom came the day before my due date and planned to stay until the baby came (DS came 4 days late). Then my in-laws came the next week. </p> <p>3. We took the 4 hour flight back for Christmas when DS was 7 weeks old. He got his 2-month shots a little early. He was great on the flight. I just on-demand nursed him and he basically slept the whole time. We are flying again for a wedding (he is now 4 months) and I'm more nervous for this flight because he is much more alert/talkative so I don't think he will sleep the whole time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2481847 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 16:13:48 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2481847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live 12 hours away from my family.<br /> 1) I drove for my family's baby shower, but we were already in town for a vacation. I flew to my husband's hometown for a bridal shower, though, and brought an extra suitcase to check (&amp; big items were mailed to my home)<br /> 2) My parents came the day of the births (I called them when I went into labor) and stayed for 10 days. My in-laws each came for a week about a month after birth.<br /> 3) I came home two days postpartum. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2481833 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 16:04:35 +0000 gingerbebe 2481833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did not have a baby shower back at home. Some people at our church threw one for us locally and relatives bought/sent things off our Amazon registry.</p> <p>My mother flew in when I went into labor at her insistence, even though I was clear I wanted no one at the hospital but DH and I. She just sat at my house cleaning and fretting for 2 days. My brother and Dad drove up once they heard DS was born and everyone (my mom, dad, and brother) met DS at the hospital the day after he was born for about an hour. My brother and dad went home soon after that and my mother stayed with us for 3 weeks.</p> <p>My in-laws came to visit for 4 days when DS was 6 weeks old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-of-you-that-do-not-live-near-family#post-2481830 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 16:03:35 +0000 milano14 2481830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live 4 hours from my family and 2.5 hours from my in-laws, so driving distance.<br /> 1. My Mom threw me a baby shower so I did travel there for that, before baby was born. But driving distance so didn't have to figure out getting gifts home.<br /> 2. For DS1 all grandparents were in town. Stayed with other family. They all left the day after we came home from the hospital. With DS2 my parents were here and stayed at our house until we were home from the hospital. My Mom ended up coming back a short week later to help because I had mastitis and was useless.<br /> 3. We traveled around 5 weeks with both boys to see family. </p>