https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 13 May 2026 10:05:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-anxiety#post-2153464 Thu, 23 Apr 2015 06:15:13 +0000 MrsBananaGrabber 2153464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm 6 months pregnant with my first, and already experiencing vacation anxiety. We went out of town a few days ago, and all I could think of the whole time in the airport and plane was how we'd handle it with a baby. My husband's family lives across the country and in a remote area, so it takes a full day of traveling to get to them. We'll have to do it (he has some family who can't travel to us), but I don't anticipate it being all that fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-anxiety#post-2128264 Tue, 31 Mar 2015 13:53:50 +0000 looch 2128264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Prepare for the worst, and then be surprised when it doesn't happen! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-anxiety#post-2128129 Tue, 31 Mar 2015 12:27:37 +0000 raintreebee 2128129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: @brownie: @brownie: @hilsy85: @lamariniere: Thank you so much for the great advice and sympathy! Deep breaths..... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-anxiety#post-2127776 Tue, 31 Mar 2015 09:17:44 +0000 lamariniere 2127776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can definitely relate. I would consider myself a well-seasoned traveler both before and with LOs, but I have travel anxiety (we're talking panic attacks) when it comes to flying and it's worse for me with the LOs. Luckily, my DH manages things pretty well and I have to do very little. I'm actually going to start going to therapy about my travel anxiety. I am already getting very anxious about our summer trip, which is going to involve 3 flights (one transatlantic) and 19 hours of travel. </p> <p>As for your situation, try to picture your worst case scenarios (screaming on the plane, food everywhere, sleepless nights, etc.) and try to rationalize how you can handle them if they do happen. As for gear on the plane, do what you think would be most comfortable for your LO. My personal take is the less the better, but maybe that won't work for you. As for enjoying yourself on your trip, not having too many expectations is key. We generally plan one activity per day and the rest of the time is spent more leisurely, especially if we have to accommodate naps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-anxiety#post-2127770 Tue, 31 Mar 2015 09:14:04 +0000 hilsy85 2127770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Of course it's stressful x 100000 when traveling with a child!</p> <p>One thing I woudl recommend--bring a carseat on the plane if he usually sleeps in the car. The cares harness is not really fitted to smaller children. </p> <p>ALso, he might surprise you and be more go with the flow than you think he will be! The stimulation might help him sleep in his stroller, and on the plane, at 14 months, the biggest hits for us were small cars (like matchbox cars) and containers, and stickers. You'll survive the flight and have a great trip!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-anxiety#post-2127764 Tue, 31 Mar 2015 09:11:32 +0000 brownie 2127764@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah cares doesn't fit well until almost 40# so take the car seat and use it. At least she is used to it. For food bring stuff that you would never normally do. When we flew at 9 months, I stick piles puffs and melts and other kiddy "junk" food and kept feeding him. A full mouth is a non screaming mouth. Also don't worry about screaming. Do your best and remember you will never see these people again.</p> <p>Edited to add: electronics are the bomb. Fisher price apps and endless apps help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-anxiety#post-2127761 Tue, 31 Mar 2015 09:07:20 +0000 Anagram 2127761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oops--and regarding the seat on the flight. Not sure...are you taking a car seat for a car that you'll be using when you arrive? I've only traveled with LO as a lap child thus far, and she's not the type to want to sit in her own seat anyway (wants to be held), so I can't speak to that. But if I were taking a car seat, I would probably put it on the plane to avoid having to gate check it.</p> <p>Also, the Cares harness doesn't have a bottom strap, so a smaller child can slide right out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-anxiety#post-2127753 Tue, 31 Mar 2015 09:04:31 +0000 Anagram 2127753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've traveled a fair amount with my now 20-month old (two trips from NYC- Toronto, two trips from NYC-Atlanta, a trip from NYC-Dallas, and NYC-New Orleans...all flights. And several road trips). The only time I had anxiety were the flights when I was alone and it mainly centered around how much LO might cry on a flight, and how I would pee with her on the flight (because I have a super small bladder and always have to pee if a flight is over 2 hours).</p> <p>When I'm with my husband, I'm so much more relaxed, because there are two of us to entertain LO and carry stuff.</p> <p>I know you can't just "relax", but I would try to go-with-the-flow a bit. My child has NEVER been one to sleep on the go, but when we travel, we often get way off schedule and we find that she *does* sleep on the go in those instances, just because she is so tired out. She's also always been a bad night time sleeper, so that doesn't really change much when we travel--it's still bad, haha. I have the added challenge of LO's MSPI--so she can't eat regular restaurant food. We typically hit up a grocery store as soon as we arrive some place and I buy her foods (stuff that I can make in a microwave basically), and I have to pack her breakfast, lunch, and dinner for when we are out-and-about. I'm totally used to it now and it's easy-peasy.</p> <p>We went on several trips when LO was still on 2 naps and we still had plenty of time to do fun stuff. Don't worry about food messes too much--I've traveled plenty where I didn't even have a high chair and while it's not ideal, you just make do. One of you might have to hold LO, or your LO might be walking around the room while you feed him. </p> <p>You adapt and adjust and it's just temporary. You'll do great! The more go-with-the-flow you are, and the lower your expecations, the better off you'll be. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-anxiety#post-2127734 Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:53:01 +0000 raintreebee 2127734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does anyone else experience anxiety before a trip with kids? We are flying NYC to LA at the end of the week with my 14 month old and staying in a hotel (a suite thank goodness) for ten days. I am a nervous wreck. LO doesn't sleep on planes or in cars. I am worried about all the gear. He has a seat but I am not sure whether to take a car seat or just use CARES harness. How am I going to feed him regular food on the plane when he usually just throws it everywhere? Will he be awful with the time adjustment (he sleeps like an angel now)? Will we really be able to do anything fun with his two naps (he doesn't sleep in a stroller)? We don't have a full kitchen so how will I feed him? Why are we doing this (because my husband convinced me)? The list goes on and on. Does anyone experience anything similar before a trip? I don't think it helps that we planned this last week so everything is disorganized and last-minute. We've only done one flight before to Puerto Rico at 10 months and that was awful. We've also done two long drives at 10 and 12 months, which were pretty bad until we discovered Sesame Street. </p>