Vacation-well not really

Just venting here. Next week we will be traveling to the beach for vacation. Hanging out in a nice condo, soaking up the sun, and relaxing....well maybe not. I'm dreading this trip. My husband, our 21 month old, and our ten month old twins are going with my in-laws (who are wonderful). Just the thought of a four-five hour drive to get there starts the vacation. NOT FUN. Gavin HATES the car!!! Then the whole keeping arrangement. Three pack-n-plays that we have to somehow fit in the condo, draggingeverything to the beach for three babies, trying to keep naps in place, my oldest who is not too comfy in a pnp but still not ready for a bog bed, and of course the packing!!!! All this does not sound fun to me. Oh this was set up by my in-laws.

 

:hug: If there is anything I have learned since becoming a parent, it's to have no expectations and to take it one day at a time. And you know what? It usually works! The twins were our first. We took them across the ocean, on a 24 hour trip, to Italy at nine months old. And here I am-almost three years later-and we survived! :laughing: And, we did it again, with all three kids, just last month. :crazy:

The babies may surprise you. I'll admit, the beach and infants to me doesn't work. It's a lot of work! However-be prepared! They may even take a nap while there! My kids did! The fresh ocean air, the sun, it will tire them out. I know there are traveling beds and sun shades as well, maybe those are options. Peapods I think they are called?

As for the car-not sure if Gavin is the 21 month old, or the 10 month old, but what about DVD players? Would that help for the drive? Oh, and on our trip to the airport when the boys were nine months old(it was an hour away), we found out that Nicholas got carsick. It was lovely.

All in all, you will make it work. Someway. Somehow. It will work. Trust me. And you will, believe it or not, make wonderful memories in the process. Take things slow. One day at a time. Have NO expectations on how the trip should go-and it will help. But really-enjoy yourself. It's the memories that are important, the rest is just 'fluff.' LOL!

Oh-and be sure to report back how it went! :hug:

 

Get a wagon!! Strollers usually don't do so well on the beach. You might have to carry them to and from your place or car through the sand, so a wagon to stick all of your other stuff works well (make sure that it has the large plastic tires and not small tires.)

As for the five hour trip, well, we used to do it almost monthly with two small kids, one who would get carsick and cry and scream the whole time, and the other who would cry because the other one was upset. For five hours. Each way, usually on a Friday and drive back on a Sunday. To stay in a small manufactured (i.e. mobile) home with terrible plumbing and lots of people. I can only commiserate. For us, we would start in the early evening and arrive at our destination at night, but at least we would get two hours of quiet when they finally fell asleep.

 

I totally agree with Pp. No expectation always works! When I think about vacation it's all about relax and spend time with the kids. I don't stress too much and don't care much that it has to be my way. It's ok if their schedules mess up a bit. But you will be surprised that they won't be changed much and how well the kids adapt to new environment. I found down many times that I was just worried and stressed out for zero reason. My lesson is that to be a happy parent I need to let go things and set my expectation at 0 lo. It always works and we always have fun

For a 5 hr drive, check out some Laurie berkner CDs at local library. Get twin DVD players, snack cups if u have yet, some small toys and yes a step 2 wagon is a must. When they get older, they more accept to sit in it better them stroller. Gl! Relax and enjoy your vacation. It will be fun for everyone.

 

You have to be flexible and go with the flow. Expect the first 24-48 hours to be a little bit of a mess, but you'll get in a routine if you just take it easy. Our kids have travelled from months old, across oceans and time zones. They've seen so much already and as long as you have regular breaks, take it easy and try not to be too strict, it will be a lot of fun. We've never stopped travelling because of kids, it was a wise decision. They love to travel and always find something interesting. In 2 months I'll be sitting on a plane by myself with 3 kids for close to 13 hours changing 6 time zones. Then a week later, we'll do a road trip with my parents to Switzerland, 8 hours by car, but with regular stops, visits and we're going into the mountains, to see snow ... they can't remember seeing snow! We're actually thinking of taking them back to Chicago next Easter, 15 1/2 hours if we choose to fly direct, 13 hours time difference, but we want to do it ... we'll see what happens!

 

yeah my parents anniversary trip was when my kids were 2 yrs old... we went on a 2 wk cruise/overseas trip. the air flight was horrific and having to keep the kids entertained was beyond what I would have imagined! and then on the cruise... you kind of have to sit down for 2 to 3 meals a day... UGH! it was NOT a vacation. my boss still remembers that I needed a couple of weeks at home - here at work to decompress!

I love the idea of no expectations... you can do this.

also, we have a boating style collapsable cart. here's a link... it's pretty useful at home too... but love the big wheels and it folds all the way down to actually fit in a trunk etc. cart

it won't hold the kids, but it holds a lot of stuff and is easy to move... kinda pricey though... but will last forever.

 

Thanks for the advice ladies! I can't say I don't haveexpectations but the ones I do have are very poor. I know the car ride will take forever because we will have to stop several times. Actually it's not the babies I'm worried about. They will cry and may I've to do so for a bit, but when that happens my husband will flip out. I'm more worried about him and his short temper with crying kids. As for being there, I think I've decided to just let things be. If I can get the sleeping arrangements ok (where the twins are ok in a room alone and te oldest is ok in our room) then it will be ok. Iguess I am nervous about making others not enjoy the trip (in-laws, husband). I want them to relax and I'm scared everyone will be tense if the twins aren't ok. I'll let you all know how it goes.

 

Hey mama, its your vacation too. making sure everybody else have fun IS NOT your JOb. Your husband and in laws, they are adults. They do know how to relax and have fun. Plus, of course they have to know vacation with kids is totally different. Dont worry too much. Its going to be OK.

If I were you I wouldnt pack big things like pnps. You can rent them. And I strongly suggest rent a XT super yard, portable feeding seats (so you can stop by any restaurant and feed them lunch or dinner). You just throw in few toys, let them play and you rest . You dont have to keep a strict nap schedule. Just make sure before they hit the play ground, they have some naps. And always have snack bag with you. feed them constantly when they play. Its all about fun and energy to them. Its so simple. You are going be just fine. Dont worry too much!

Our snack bag: 1 milk sippy, water bottles, yogurt melt, dried fruit, fish crackers. I constantly pop those in their mouths when they play lol. then every 5/10 mins offer milk or water. And dont forget to bring some beach toys. kids love those.

Clean out all the worries out of your head. Its going to be fun for you if you dont worry too much. relax and dlea with it as it comes . You can do it!!! :hug:

 

We survived a beach trip last August when our boys were 15 months, and you will survive your trip too We were able to drive in 1.5 - 2 hour stretches by timing getting on the road to coincide with nap time. Back then our boys still took 2 naps a day. I rode in the third row of the minivan while DH drove as the boys were rear facing then, so I was able give them snacks and bottles, hold up books, and switch out DVDs in the DVD player (which was a lifesaver for that trip). They would do fine being awake for about 30-45 min or so and then would be asleep for the other 90 minutes. Then we would take an hour break for lunch, get back in the van and I would distract them with toys, snacks, and DVDs until it was nap time again.

We also took our Fisher Price Healthy Care booster seats for mealtimes (which also work great in restaurants), and a Peapod tent for the beach. Though they didn't spend much time in the Peapod. Instead they would fall asleep on us while at the beach and we would just cover them with a towel. We also took our 2 Kelty TC kid carrier backpacks for transporting them to the beach, which freed up our arms to carry cooler and chairs (though we only had to use the carriers once as other family members were happy to carry the boys). Also, take a bottle of baby powder which helps get the damp sand off them.

Good luck, it will all work out!

ETA: Oops, didn't realize this thread was over a week old...guess the OP is at the beach now.

 

Made it back and we did fine. Our biggest problem was my in laws who gave in to everything. Looks like re-training begins now. Today they have been cranky and wanting to be held all day. I'm by myself so it's not possible and not happening. It's been a crying fest here at home! Oh te joys of returning from vacation when the kids have been spoiled.