Parents, Aunts, and Friends – summer is approaching which means you may be spending some precious free time away with some cute, but way too energetic little ones. We all adore the little nieces, nephews, and little friends but may not be sure how to handle them for an extended period of time. I’m planning a few vacations in the next few months and am remembering / sharing these tips for how to survive vacation with a baby.
How to Survive Vacation with a Baby
Share the Love
If you are on vacation with friends or family, you are lucky, lucky, lucky. These aunts, uncles, grandparents, and big siblings are more than happy to take turns baby sitting. If you are that friend or family member, enjoy time with the little one and yes, you can give her back when you’re tired! Parents, don’t be afraid to ask for help and let your little one bond with her loved ones. We went to Phuket on family vacation with a good friend of ours and she was amazing. I think she also wasn’t sure if it would be too hectic with the little lady (the little one did have a midnight waking which worried our friend in the next room). But we had a blast because we didn’t just throw our little one to our friend, but all played together. Our friend is now the little one’s favorite auntie!
This is the little one in Phuket!
Have Lower Expectations
You’re not going to do everything anymore. Forget drinks at the coolest bar in town or late dinners. Meals are earlier as are bedtimes. Be cool with it. Museums just aren’t going to enjoyable anymore if you have a young one in tow. That’s totally ok as long as you are aware of it and embrace it. You may not see and do as much as you used to and have to do a few more kid friendly activities, but you’ll still have fun.
Plan excursions accordingly
I’m currently traveling with a toddler undergoing potty training (TMI, but hey it’s real life and yes I’m kinda paying for her early transition to this). I will no longer go out for an entire half or full day without stepping back in the hotel. The little one simply has to have her down time, nap, and ahem, alone time, in the bathroom. It’s still cool though because I have a block of time in the morning and afternoon to do things. We went to the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market a little later than usual, but hey we still made it and now the little girl loves pastrami and peaches!
We went for a cold picnic in Marina Green Park and she saw her first seagulls.
Show them the new place
Kids love exploring new places and environments. Be their eyes and show them all the new sites. The jet lag and the crankiness are slightly better when kids are distracted with new sites. Everything will be new to them. Show them the waves on the beach, let them feel the crunch of sand, and point out ants marching to their little anthill in the grass.
The Hearst Building in San Francisco has the most intricate carvings.
Enjoy yourself
How do you enjoy yourself when you’re tired, everyone else is tired, and you just can’t anymore? Just remember, everything passes. You will all get naps. That famed pizzeria may be closed today, but you can still find another place to eat. Most importantly, you’re spending quality time with your loved ones in a new, exciting place. It’s your vacation so go out there and enjoy it!
The boats in Phuket are always charming
The only vacation we took with our little one was when we head back to Malaysia early this year to visit my family. It was a 25 hours in total travel time and it was beyond exhausting. Thank goodness he slept and was really well behaved but he fell really ill the last week we were in Malaysia. I think the heat got to him.
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
Oh the poor little guy! I totally feel you on the long travel time and we have similar travel times between NYC/Singapore. My little one feel ill when we visited the Philippines and it was the worst. Luckily they get better and we all get to go home eventually!
Aw, great tips!
Loved the pic of your little one and loved the tips, too.
This is such an important post that will really put traveling with a little one into perspective for people with children – and those, like me, who don’t have children.
xx
These were excellent tips! You have a superb support circle of family & friends. They don’t get to see you often so I know they are more than happy to spend time with your little one. Once she gets the hang of potty training, things will be so much easier for you (in that aspect) LOL You’re doing a superb job! So glad your vacation went well. Everything in moderation! That’s what works well with small children. And of course Rowena and I would invite you! We’ll have to do that one year!
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Great tips and i agree with all of them! we are always traveling with the boys and it’s always an adventure-lol! Love the Pics too, especially the one of your darling little one.;-) (i am not sure why my words are in caps but i promise i didn’t type them lige that)
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