https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 09 May 2026 03:06:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler/page/2#post-2732265 Thu, 04 May 2017 10:38:56 +0000 Mrs D 2732265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskansas: Sounds like a great plan! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2732250 Thu, 04 May 2017 09:50:29 +0000 youboots 2732250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskansas: awesome! Glad you settled on something comfortable for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2732206 Thu, 04 May 2017 08:28:43 +0000 yoursilverlining 2732206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskansas: That sounds like so much fun. My LO *loves* Nordstroms. The one we go to has a huge aquarium by the kids shoe department, so I convince myself it's almost like taking her to an enrichment activity while I'm shopping :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2732191 Thu, 04 May 2017 08:06:12 +0000 mrskansas 2732191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CatchAFallingStar: That sounds like fun! I also would love to go to Maui :wink:<br /> My husband and I got married there and part of our wedding vows were that neither one of us would return to Hawaii alone so I guess I can't do that, haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2732068 Wed, 03 May 2017 19:49:45 +0000 Mrs.Pinecone316 2732068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds fun! I personally wouldn't fly alone with a 2.5 year old, I can barely manage with my husband and my 2 year old. I would try and find somewhere within a few hours drive though. Do you have a great wolf lodge anywhere close. We just did a night away trip there and it was great. Indoor water park with restaurants and gift shops and activities for kids all day long so once you are there you don't have to leave. I wouldn't want to do that more than 2 nights though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2731638 Wed, 03 May 2017 07:47:53 +0000 mrskansas 2731638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all the suggestions ladies!!</p> <p>I've thought about this a lot over the past couple of days and I have decided to just take a 2-day trip to Kansas City. We'll stay at the Great Wolf Lodge (indoor water park!) and go to the aquarium, children's museum and Nordstrom :wink: </p> <p>I think one night away will be fun without being overwhelming for me. I can't wait to have this time with my girl!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2731188 Tue, 02 May 2017 06:56:26 +0000 ReadItMama 2731188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do it! </p> <p>Not sure where in KS you are, but Omaha is a surprisingly family-friendly Midwest quick vacation spot. I grew up in the Midwest and was a bit of a snob about anything between Des Moines and Denver, but having lived in Omaha for five years there really is a lot to recommend it as a quick vacation spot w/ kids. I have also learned to appreciate KC too, and there is something to be said for exploring a familiar place from a different POV! </p> <p>Personally, if I were to fly in your situation I would choose someplace I wouldn't have to rent a car (aka no car seat needed) and just shuttle/Uber/taxi to the hotel and do activities within walking/public transport radius of the hotel.</p> <p>Have fun!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2731172 Tue, 02 May 2017 00:04:50 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2731172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskansas: my husband is going on a 7 day fishing trip with his dad and brother in Ketchikan in July. I kind of thought about doing something similar to what you're thinking, but with my mom, too. We will most likely just get a condo on the beach (Oregon coast). But, if I could afford it, I would love to fly to a warm beach location! Preferably a Hawaiian resort! 🌺</p> <p>ETA: my daughter is also 2 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2731170 Mon, 01 May 2017 23:46:57 +0000 Mrs. Pajamas 2731170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskansas: I would absolutely do it! My dh was recently on a work trip so I took my 2.5 yo dd to visit my best friend who has a daughter the same age. It was really fun! Hard due to the 3 hour drive each way but totally worth it for the company and experience traveling/staying as a guest with other people/sharing toys. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2731169 Mon, 01 May 2017 23:45:56 +0000 Dahlia 2731169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do it! DD was younger (about 1) but I took her alone to South America for a few days (DH met us there later) and we had such a blast. No, she'll never remember it, but I think it was great bonding time for us and I had so much fun showing her things. </p> <p>Also, I personally think the stress of traveling is nothing compared to how much faster time goes when LO and I are out and about. 4 days home alone with her would drag, but being somewhere else even if it's just to walk around and go to playgrounds makes it speed by. Basically what @SweetiePie said. </p> <p>I think your Kansas City option sounds perfect. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2731157 Mon, 01 May 2017 21:44:30 +0000 Anagram 2731157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskansas: Definitely do it! My oldest has been a great traveler ever since turning 2. You can gate check or regular check the car seat and get a gogobabez attachment thing. I flew alone with LO1 and LO2 when they were 2.5 and 6 months old, and I had a double inline stroller and a car seat and I managed just fine, so it would be a breeze with just 1 older kiddo.</p> <p>What about an indoor splash park or a kiddie outdoor park? You can fly to one, or drive? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2731146 Mon, 01 May 2017 20:41:22 +0000 winniebee 2731146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would. The hardest part about my almost 2.5 year old is having to parent two at the same time. When I have him alone he's much easier (and he is not an easy child!)</p> <p>Pick a direct flight, get a hotel room that has a suite type thing so you don't have to go robbed at 8, and make sure it's someplace with easy access to food (restaurant on site etc). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2731141 Mon, 01 May 2017 20:17:53 +0000 skipra 2731141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it would be fun if you had a good place within easy driving distance, like you could do the entire drive during nap time. A lake or some type of beach cottage would be my ideal spot. Otherwise I think it would be too much work for something that might not be that enjoyable and certainly not memorable for your LO. (Don't they thrive on routine at this age?) Iwould probably opt to visit a bunch of fun local spots, like get passes from the library for the zoo, aquarium, children's museum, etc. and then still be able to put LO in his/her own bed at the end of the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2731137 Mon, 01 May 2017 20:02:55 +0000 Bluebonnet 2731137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could you go to Great Wolf Lodge or someplace like that for a few days? </p> <p>DH and I have both done mini trips with 1 LO and it was so fun. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2731136 Mon, 01 May 2017 19:59:32 +0000 gingerbebe 2731136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd totally do it at 2.5 years old to a driving distance location. DS1 is 31 months and I think he would have a lot of fun. I'd book at an Embassy Suites where all the rooms have a separate bedroom with a door and a living room with a pullout couch. We stayed at them all the time before DS2. They have a little mini fridge and microwave so you can keep snacks and milk in the room for the kid and you can veg and watch TV or read at night after he goes to bed. ES also does a full hot breakfast free in the morning, a free happy hour in the early evening with lots of snacks toddlers can eat, and most have a heated indoor pool. </p> <p>If you just have one activity per day (children's museum, aquarium, zoo, etc) and eat one meal out that will fill most of the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2731133 Mon, 01 May 2017 19:49:26 +0000 SweetiePie 2731133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've quasi done this. From the time he was 8 months to about 22 months we had a shore house and I would often go for a week or so at a time just us two and my husband would meet up with us at the end of the week. So about 5 days just me and DS and Friday - Sun DH would join.<br /> It was about 1.5hr drive so the travel aspect isn't the same.<br /> But we'd be there and I'd solo parent - go to beach, pool, groceries, restaurants, playground, etc. So typical vacation stuff.<br /> At home being alone for 5 days I'd probably lose my patience. But being in vacation mode made it way more doable. Especially if you're on a beach that's not super crowded and LO can just play in the sand while you sit and relax :-)<br /> We got a place again this summer for the whole month of June and I can't wait! I'll be there solo parenting a lot but it'll be a lot of fun I think. </p> <p>Oh and I do fly a lot alone with my son but usually to visit family. So the actual travel aspect with a 2yo isn't bad at all. I would def combine flying alone and going on a vacation alone with him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2731130 Mon, 01 May 2017 19:43:21 +0000 lady baltimore 2731130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was going to say that I would stay in a nearby hotel with LO for a few nights and do the local tourist thing, so I think your Kansas City option sounds perfect! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2731127 Mon, 01 May 2017 19:25:43 +0000 FaithFertility 2731127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskansas: I would totally do this with DD she is so chill and pretty easy!!!! How fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2731121 Mon, 01 May 2017 19:21:13 +0000 MrsADS 2731121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I couldn't with my 20 month old, but maybe at 2.5 he'll be different. He is a handful and taking him on a trip by myself sounds like a nightmare! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2731075 Mon, 01 May 2017 17:00:02 +0000 Mrs. Microscope 2731075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Heck yeah! Take a stroller, be flexible, and you'll have a blast! Someplace like San Diego, where you could stay somewhere with a pool, go to the beach and the amazing zoo would be fun, maybe somewhere in Texas on the coast, Phoenix (no beach, but tons of pools and a nice zoo), Denver (no beach, but lots to do for a LO) are all reasonable flights from Kansas. Can't wait to hear what you decide! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2731063 Mon, 01 May 2017 16:41:44 +0000 808love 2731063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have way more vacation time than DH so I took two trips with just LO and myself at barely age 4 and 6. Those ages worked well for me and were so much fun! Besides those, I have flown alone with her to meet relatives on other previous occasions.</p> <p> I'm not sure how I would have done on a whole trip alone before then. LO needed a lot of things and I always wanted to do the whole family thing. Plus DH had to carry everything before. We have a car safety vest so that folds up nicely in my backpack. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2731012 Mon, 01 May 2017 14:26:34 +0000 yoursilverlining 2731012@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd do it in a heartbeat - sounds like a blast and an excellent "mom and me" bit of special time :heart: </p> <p>When it's been me and LO traveling more alone (haven't done a full trip alone but gone with my husband on business trips where he is gone day and night for evening events so it's just me and LO day and night) and like @Mrs D: said we embrace room service. It's fun. Order in and chill and watch cartoons together. </p> <p>I'd limit luggage to one carry-on roller suitcase and whatever you normally carry (purse, etc.). That isn't bad to manage with a kid, especially if you can get away with wearing them still so they can't escape you. </p> <p>You could always rent a car seat from the rental car place. Yes it's not an amazing seat (but we've rented seats several times and they have always been clean and in good condition) but it's one less major piece of gear to haul around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2730993 Mon, 01 May 2017 13:56:22 +0000 birdofafeather 2730993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That age would have been a blast with my older daughter! We did lots of travel for me to work on my own and she traveled well. I would do a couple days a few hours away unless I had a friend to visit a flight away! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2730977 Mon, 01 May 2017 13:36:44 +0000 LBee 2730977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would happily go somewhere within driving distance (maybe 3 hour range). My son is at a great age (2.5 yo) in terms of flexibility and we've flushed out a lot of the triggers for tantrums. He's actually great in the car, too, the time limit is related to me being pregnant and not desiring to take a tour of the county's restrooms. </p> <p>I would not fly on my own with him unless we were going to a destination that had friends / family. Even then, when I think of the logistics in terms of the basic air travel I can't quite figure out how all parties wouldn't end up miserable / grumpy. I'm currently picturing pregnant me trying to convince DS he needs to ride in the stroller with his carseat bag on my back and trying to balance a suitcase and a carry on. No thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2730972 Mon, 01 May 2017 13:30:04 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2730972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sounds fun! This is inspiring me to think of somewhere I could take ds for some one on one time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2730967 Mon, 01 May 2017 13:20:56 +0000 mrskansas 2730967@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: Yeah I think you're right. The more I think about this, the more it sounds like a bad idea. </p> <p>We have a beach trip coming up in June that involves a 12 hour drive and I think that will be a good test to see how she does. We haven't traveled with her since she was barely 1 so things will be a lot different now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2730965 Mon, 01 May 2017 13:18:35 +0000 youboots 2730965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskansas: I think that would be way more ideal IMO. Not too long of a drive and without the logistics of air travel. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2730964 Mon, 01 May 2017 13:17:30 +0000 youboots 2730964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskansas: I guess to me it would not be worth the investment until she could enjoy it more and even remember.</p> <p>Traveling just seems to make her behavior worse. We went to Palm Springs for a day trip and she refused to be carried or walk and would just lie on the sidewalk. We don't use a stroller at home anymore but it may have helped but she may have just screamed. Anyways I'm coming from a place of just having done this and it not as ideal as traveling with her in the past has been. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2730962 Mon, 01 May 2017 13:16:54 +0000 mrskansas 2730962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Oreo: That would be my preference but we're just in a bad spot. We're in Kansas so really the only place worth visiting within driving distance is Colorado, and that's still 10 hours away.<br /> I thought about just doing a 2 day trip to Kansas City (3 hour drive) and visiting the aquarium, children's museum, and the indoor water park. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-alone-with-toddler#post-2730959 Mon, 01 May 2017 13:14:06 +0000 Mrs. Oreo 2730959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you drive instead of fly? </p>