https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 29 Apr 2026 02:11:07 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797323 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 07:43:31 +0000 cake2017 2797323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: I’ve been away from him for 5 days. He was 3 months though.... I believe he knew ha. But it was a great trip for hubby and I.</p> <p>If we go it would be Greece and possibly Rome. So that’s a long flight. IF we go i will have everything set up like before for safety/ emergencies. He won’t be leaving the house except for walks so it minimizes the chances.... </p> <p>Yes we trust my mom so that helps and she watches him now so he’s comfortable. </p> <p>I just want him to “ be okay” and not feel abandoned... but i think this is all in my head. Thank you so much for the input it has helped a lot!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797248 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 21:25:28 +0000 PinkElephant 2797248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cake2017: How far away is "international"? In my case, thus far I probably could have been home within a day if it were a true emergency (5-6 hour flights). We're considering some longer trips (me going with DH for work trips to Asia, where we used to live)...but I wouldn't have wanted to start with those, since it's a full day of travel to get home even in the best case scenario, should that need arise.</p> <p>Is there any way you can do a practice run to build your confidence?</p> <p>And just to give you a little bit of an out :) :) it certainly is easier on my kids now that they have each other when we're away. But your LO will get loved on so much by his caretakers and do so much fun stuff - it definitely can become a tradition that children look forward to. My girls have told me a few times they want to go to their grandparents summer home and me to go away so they can do xyz (zoo trip, boat rides, etc.) - ha! :) :) My only rule has been that the grandparents don't get to do any "firsts" as part of fun activities - like they couldn't give them their first ice cream, or take them to the zoo the first time, or something like that. That way I don't feel like I missed out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797240 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 21:08:50 +0000 cake2017 2797240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: I guess I have to! I’m just stuck on the “international part” and possibly 10 days away from LO :(. but I need to hold onto the purpose of the trip and the company! (my DH) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797238 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 21:06:45 +0000 cake2017 2797238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: It makes sense! I guess I am thinking too much about it! This is several months away too! :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797237 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 21:06:07 +0000 cake2017 2797237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: Thank you for sharing that! If you did all that traveling with three kids I should be fine with just my LO :). If I did 5 days without at 3 months I guess 10 days will be okay?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797234 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 20:58:55 +0000 PinkElephant 2797234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cake2017: Best tip is to rip the band aid off and do it! :happy: As others say, if you don't proved to him that you will come back, and he may even have fun while you're gone, it won't necessarily get easier as he gets older. Because then he'll be like my 5 year old and think he gets to negotiate/have a say in it. As I mentioned above, my then-fourteen month old was mad at me/clingy with my MIL for a good 12-24 hours when I came home after that first trip, but honestly, it was in part just a testament to how well taken care of she was with my in-laws. She got over it quickly and still loves me (and is now pretty ok with me taking these trips, as long as she gets a present, haha). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797232 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 20:55:38 +0000 PinkElephant 2797232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cake2017: The first time I left DD1, it was for an overnight (less than 24 hours) from Hong Kong to Singapore and back; she was with my husband. At that time we lived overseas, and didn't have family in the country to watch our children, so we didn't travel together, but I had 1-2 girls weekends in that time. I think those were after I had stopped breastfeeding, because i don't remember having to pump. We also had a nanny, and were comfortable leaving her for full-day excursions when it wasn't suitable to bring my eldest daughter - we did that a few times. The first time we both left the kids was once we moved back to the US and had family available - kids were newly 3 years and 14 months (I had just stopped breastfeeding DD2); we went to Italy together for just over a week; then we travelled domestically for a weekend when they were 3.5 and a few months shy of 2; for a 5 day babymoon (baby #3; we went to Bermuda) when they were 4 and not quite 2.5 years. We took a short 4-5 day trip up to Canada this summer, when they were 5, 3 and 10 months. DD3 was still breastfed; I pumped 2-3 times a day while I was gone and brought back the milk. Surprisingly, it wasn't a hassle (I thought it might be - but we were on a very laid back schedule, weren't trying to do much other than relax, hike a little, and eat great food, and had our own vehicle, so it wasn't like I was on a tour bus hiding in a bathroom to pump). We are leaving all three girls again this spring for about 8-9 days; they'll be almost 6, almost 4, and almost 18 months. </p> <p>The hardest trip was DD2 when she was 15 months old - she missed me a lot and was kind of ticked/confused when I came back. I expect a similar reaction from DD3 this time. But leaving was never bad - we always did quick goodbyes, often at a restaurant after a meal (they'd go home with the grandparents; we'd go to the airport) or at a halfway point between our homes. As they are older, anticipation is a little rough..we try not to talk about it til it's very close. My 5.5 year old overheard me talking about our upcoming trip, and I've had to tell her it isn't even planned yet because she wants every.single.detail, and I don't want her stressing unnecessarily. This will be the first time they've done a long stay with someone else watching them in our home while they go about their normal routine - usually they go to their grandparents' summer house and do a whole bunch of fun things. We'll see how it goes, but I didn't feel like I could take them out of school for the whole week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797208 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 19:46:38 +0000 SweetiePie 2797208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cake2017: Here’s the thing: your LO most likely will not think that you aren’t coming back. Especially if you talk about it before you go and don’t just disappear (though I think 12 months is too young to explain things like that, and I think that’s to your advantage and why I think he still won’t notice much that you’re gone). However, even if he does think mom is not coming back the only way for him to learn that isn’t true is for you to go and then come back. Does that make sense? So even if he thinks it for a few days, which again is pretty unlikely, you will be back. And that’s how he learns that it’s OK for mommy and daddy to go away. If you don’t go away because you’re afraid that he’ll think you’re not coming back then you’ll never go away and he’ll never learn that it’s OK for you to go away and you’ll always come back.<br /> I hope I making sense I’m doing talk to text as I walk in the freezing cold. Ha ha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797205 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 19:39:13 +0000 lamariniere 2797205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: @SweetiePie: agree about not FaceTiming too much. The first time we left my daughter with my ILs (she was 2 at the time) she would freak out and cry every time we FaceTimed. It was better for everyone not too and she was perfectly content with her grandparents when she didn’t see us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797204 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 19:37:09 +0000 lamariniere 2797204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The first time I left my son overnight was at 16 months for 2 nights. It was and international trip, but I was living in France at the time and we went to the Netherlands by car. For the past 3 years or so my DH and I have managed to do overnight trips for 2-3 nights at a time maybe 2 times a year and my LOs always stay with my ILs. Last year when we were still living in Austria, my DH took my LOs (then 3 and 6) to France to stay with my ILs for 2 weeks, and he came back after 2 nights. So 2 weeks is the longest I’ve ever been away from them. It was so wierd to have my kids gone for such a long time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797185 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 18:36:52 +0000 cake2017 2797185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: How old were your children when you traveled internationally? </p> <p>LO would be 12 months if so go... i’m scared he will think we aren’t coming back or something...</p> <p>any tips? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797177 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 18:02:36 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2797177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do lots of trips, sometimes just an overnight or weekend, but the longest together was 8 nights. Lo loves his cousins and grandma and so I feel like it’s a win win for everyone. My biggest tip is to start getting kids comfortable with sleeping at relatives’ houses early. We never had an issue because it was normal to him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797159 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 17:05:18 +0000 SweetiePie 2797159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: Same, we don’t FaceTime much either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797151 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 16:54:48 +0000 PinkElephant 2797151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cake2017: I've been away from my kids (now 5.5, 3.5, and 15 months) at LEAST once a year for the past 5 years, and don't regret it one bit. Sometimes I've gone with my husband (longer trips, up to 10 days), sometimes away with a friend (shorter weekend/overnight trips). I thought it would be a lot harder than it was, but I have to say that I really didn't miss them like I expected I would (though it felt great to see them when I got home). Pretty much all of the trips have been international. I think the key is your comfort level with the person watching your LO, and their comfort level in making decisions for the child if necessary. We may be in the minority, but we choose not to Facetime much (or sometimes at all) when we're away - it seems easier for everyone involved that once the kids get into the groove of doing things with their grandparents, we let them roll with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797147 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 16:48:23 +0000 IRunForFun 2797147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, for 1 week when she was 9 months old. No real prep needed for her since she had no clue what was going on. DH took the whole week off work to stay with her so that made everything a lot easier, too. We did a lot of FaceTime and the hardest part for me (aside from being away from her) was maintaining a pumping schedule. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797142 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 16:15:53 +0000 Littlebit7 2797142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes we’ve done two big trips. One 10 days to a wedding in a third world country plus 5 days in the Greek islands on the way back when LO was 2.5<br /> The first was a trip for me to visit DH when he was working in South America. I was gone for a week. LO was 1 year.<br /> Both were amazing trips but my parents are fantastic and totally on it for tag teaming my kiddo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797134 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 15:57:13 +0000 cake2017 2797134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: Yes! I agree that time with DH is very important. Reading this helped a lot. This trip will be international so I guess I’m just nervous. I also just want him to be with me! I know he will be safe at home with my mom and his aunts. I just have to remember “me time and hubby time”! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797089 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 13:02:40 +0000 JLC53 2797089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: I couldn't agree more... I would give anything to have a child free getaway weekend with my husband... Maybe one day... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797085 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 12:59:18 +0000 Corduroy 2797085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cake2017: I traveled for work 1-3 nights away starting when LO1 was 4 months. My LOs were always fine. I had a couple issues forgetting parts and clogged ducts. Once LO1 got pneumonia while I was on a trip. It was actually better that I was gone I think. DH (who is a capable caregiver) was so entrenched in the illness and taking things hour by hour and day by day. I flew in, saw she was still sick, got all mana bear and whisked her to the doctor. I probably wouldn’t have if I had been slogging it out watching her at home all that time. </p> <p>My kids are 4.5 and 2.5 yo now and we’re planning a five day vacation without them in a few months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797079 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 12:50:52 +0000 SweetiePie 2797079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes many times. With friends and with DH. He’s 3yo and I’ve been away too many times to count. Actually DH and I have gone away 3 times this year alone and I’ve gone away by myself with friends at least 3 times. Longest was 5 nights. </p> <p>I think it’s healthy for everyone. It gets me/us much needed adult time. We do regular date nights but a long weekend away really brings us closer and helps us recharge. And I miss DS more.<br /> It’s good for my son because he gets used to being without us so it’s nbd when we are away (or for example when I’m away for 3 nights when I have his brother in March). He gets great quality time with his grandparents. He learns that we will always come back. He sees that his parents have a life besides him and love to spend time together, which I think is very healthy.<br /> I mean, none of this is scientific, it’s just what I’ve come to realize over the years. </p> <p>First time we left he was 5/6 months. We went on a 5 or 6 night trip in Anguilla. So it was international. Sure I was nervous, but he was with my mom who I trust. And I knew I wanted to be able to travel without him so the sooner we started the better. We also were gifted the trip and had a deadline to take it by! :silly: so that helped. That was great because he had no idea we were gone. Too young to miss us. He didn’t skip a beat. That trip and I’d say until 18 months or 2yo we didn’t do anything to prep him.<br /> Once he got old enough to notice more, 18/24 months, I told him a day or so before that mommy was going on a trip for X bedtimes but I’d be back on Y day and I’d have a special treat for him (toy, candy, etc). He has always been fine. Oh and I always say goodbye. Just disappearing isn’t a good idea. So if I’m leaving while he’s asleep I make sure I tell him I’ll be gone when he wakes and say my goodbyes then.<br /> Yes he has a moment each trip where he says he missed me and maybe cried a little. But my mom and MIL said that once he was distracted he was fine. And I don’t think missing me is a bad thing. Just like me missing him makes me appreciate him more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797073 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 12:34:35 +0000 MrsADS 2797073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally would if I could. Maybe not for a long long time, but definitely for 3-4 nights. I would give anything for my husband and I to be able to have a child free weekend getaway! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797071 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 12:31:44 +0000 cake2017 2797071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bluebonnet: My parents stay at our house to watch LO. I breastfeed too and pumped when i went away. It was annoying but worth it. IF we go away it will be longer and he we will 12 months.... facetime is an option so i will keep that in mind. Thank you for the other tips! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797068 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 12:16:05 +0000 cake2017 2797068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kitkat: Thats wonderful! Yes communication is key! When we went away before I stressed that they have their phones with them all the time ha!<br /> Thank you for sharing this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797067 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 12:14:20 +0000 cake2017 2797067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meganmp: We may be doing Europe as well. I don’t know. He will be 12 months. He will be home with my mom like before. She watches him so he will be comfortable. I just don’t know if I can be away from him for a week?!!!? However, like I mentioned above time with my DH is priority as well and self care! Sigh* </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797064 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 12:11:42 +0000 cake2017 2797064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: Thank you! I have been away from him for 4 days when he was just 3months old. I cried on the way to the airport. However, it was the best thing I did. DH and I had an amazing time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797058 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 11:47:15 +0000 ElbieKay 2797058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I told my boss I was not going to travel for work before 12mo. At 14mo I went on my company's annual offsite to Mexico for three nights. It was fine. I had my son spend one of the three nights at my parents' house because I figured he would notice my absence less. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797054 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 11:35:04 +0000 meganmp 2797054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Many, many times. I feel it is good for our marriage. The first was when my twins were 17 months old, and we went to Mexico for 5 days. There have been multiple overnight trips, and I go on a 4 day trip with my 4th graders every spring. This summer, we are going to Italy for 2.5 weeks, and the kids are going camping with Grandma. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797049 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 11:25:03 +0000 Kitkat 2797049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went away for 4 nights when DS was 11.5 months. It was domestic, but we were in Hawaii, so still pretty far. All of us handled it better than I thought we would...the grandparents stayed with DS in our home and he continued going to daycare as usual, and DH and I were able to relax and have fun.</p> <p>We’re going to Europe for a week this spring without DS (he will be 17/18 months) and I’m a little worried he’ll be more aware we’re gone, but he loves spending time with his grandparents.</p> <p>The one tip I would have is be clear about your expectations on communication...there was a couple hour period after we landed in Hawaii that we couldn’t get a hold of MIL, and it was incredibly stressful and upsetting. Turns out she had left her phone in her car 🙄. </p> <p>Have a good time! I think it’s so important for parents to be able to get away and reconnect :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797045 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 11:11:41 +0000 Bluebonnet 2797045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've traveled away from our kids several times starting when LO1 was 3 months old (1 night away for a wedding, she stayed with my parents and did great, I was EBFing, but pumped and she did great with a bottle). </p> <p>Until both kids were 2, the longest we'd been away was 3 days, 2 nights. We've been gone 5 days 4 nights, but not longer. They stay with my parents and do great. </p> <p>We haven't done an international trip yet. </p> <p>My parents are awesome and keep the kids overnight every couple of months (so its not a big deal for the kids to stay with them). </p> <p>To prepare, we always tell the kids we're going and talk about how much fun they'll have at their grandparents house. We facetime daily. The hardest part (now) is packing all the stuff and writing out all the things my parents need to keep track of (show and tell day, library day, theme dress up days, etc).</p> <p>For your first trip away, if you are anxious, don't let it show. Your kids will pick up on it and it will make leaving them sooo much harder.</p> <p>Other tips - especially if you are flying, be vague on when you'll be back (you don't want to promise you'll be home in time to tuck them in because your plane may be delayed and then your kids may be very upset). I'll say "we'll be home on Thursday night after you go to bed, but we'll give you a kiss while you are sleeping and we'll have a special breakfast the next morning"). Our kids know the days of the week, so we talk in advance about how many days we'll be gone, and what they'll be doing when we're away (school, birthday party, special activity with their grandparents, etc).</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-travel-without-babyyoung-child#post-2797041 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 10:56:41 +0000 nana87 2797041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know a couple that goes on kid-free vacations at least once a year, but that's just not for me at this stage, especially since I nursed lo1 for almost 2 years and am still nursing lo2. Maybe when the baby is about 2.5 and *they* see it as a fun trip to their grandparents too! </p> <p>I've only been away from lo1 overnight for 2 work trips when she was 21 months (and that was 10 nights internationally, and rough! I was still nursing though didn't pump becasue I thought we would wean...) and then 2 nights when she was 25 months. And then the 3rd time was when I gave birth to lo2, and that was the first time she was away from both dh and 1 (she was 2y10m). We had talked about going on a babymoon before lo2 was born and I think she could have handled it by then, but the timing didn't work out. I still haven't been away from lo2 overnight and she's 11 months. </p>