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Original poster

To take 1 year old to New York for 6 weeks?

65 replies

newyorknewyorks · 23/06/2024 08:54

DH has a chance to work in NYC for 6 weeks and I'm planning to go with him with our baby who will be just one. DH will be pretty flexible (some time in and out of office) and we'll have some time to do some long weekends away also. We'll get a 2 bed apartment and my parents plan to join us for 3 weeks or so so I'll have help for most of the trip (and they are very very helpful!).

I've never been to the states before. DH has many times but doesn't know New York that well. Is this a crazy idea or will it be good fun? I'm not expecting a whirlwind of sight seeing, just some new museums, new parks, new food, new walks and a few nights out with DH whilst the grandparents kindly babysit. Can anyone give us any tips to make it work for everyone?

I should add, DC on the whole is pretty relaxed with no particular schedule and sleeps very well in the pram or carrier. Sleep overnight is ok and usually settles pretty quickly on holidays, although we haven't been further than western Europe before.

Grateful for any tips!

OP posts:
Jc2001 · 23/06/2024 09:49

Wills890 · 23/06/2024 09:10

She's talking about uprooting her family for 6 months, flying and getting used to a new environment with a little baby. She's saying it might be stressful, not that babies can't be in New York. No need to be sarcastic 🙄.

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It's 6 weeks not 6 months. It's basically an extended holiday

hby9628 · 23/06/2024 09:46

It sounds absolutely amazing. Definitely do it and have a fabulous time.

BooBooButts · 23/06/2024 09:42

Just seen you're going September/October - enjoy the build up to Halloween!! It'll be amazing.

BooBooButts · 23/06/2024 09:40

You should 100% go! As previously mentioned, make sure to get comprehensive health insurance and then just enjoy NYC! What time of year will you be going?

What kind of job does your DH do that takes him to NYC for 6 weeks, and are they hiring? 😇

Original poster
newyorknewyorks · 23/06/2024 09:38

Thanks for the comments re. grandparents. Luckily we get on very well with my parents and they're very very hands on with the baby and keen to babysit at any given opportunity. Our own home is a small city centre apartment so it wouldn't be a hugely different set up but they do plan to split the visit (something like DF visits for a week, DM comes and the three of us leave DH to work and rent a home out of the city somewhere new for a week, DF leaves and DM stays on for a week). They'd also plan to go off on day trips on their own.

OP posts:
EnglishBluebell · 23/06/2024 09:37

I wouldn't it's filthy and stinks to high heaven of weed - everywhere!also the crime rate is off the charts now.

maw1681 · 23/06/2024 09:35

It sounds like an amazing opportunity, definitely go!

Riversideandrelax · 23/06/2024 09:34

Sounds great and I'm sure you will all enjoy it.

If it were me, though I wouldn't want grandparents there all the time as you'll be living in such close quarters. I'd also want time to do my own thing and to be just me and my DC so I'd not have them over for more than 2 weeks max.

Clearinguptheclutter · 23/06/2024 09:33

Sounds like great fun.
I’d be worried about finding an appropriate appartment and paying for it, but if that is all sorted already I’m not sure why you wouldn’t

I’d probably hate it for my parents to come and invade for 3 weeks though! One week yes

Bamboozledbylife · 23/06/2024 09:32

Babies adapt well and if yours is fairly laid back even better. Amazing opportunity I'd 100% go for it! It's only 6 weeks 😊

Original poster
newyorknewyorks · 23/06/2024 09:30

Thanks to all those commenting about the weather - luckily Sep / Oct is when we are going. DH has just been out and said it was very hot at the moment.

OP posts:
Original poster
newyorknewyorks · 23/06/2024 09:29

@MissSookieStackhouse that sounds amazing, you must have made such great memories!

@Greenlittecat please do, another baby to entertain mine would be the cherry on top Grin

@ThatTimeIKnewFamousPeople how funny - I will definitely happily benefit from the fruits of their neuroticism!

OP posts:
Darkfire · 23/06/2024 09:27

I agree with tigers that you will be very good health insurance.
What time of year are you going? The temperature in both summer and winter can be very extreme.

SpanThatWorld · 23/06/2024 09:25

New York is a really walkable city - much like London. Lots of local neighborhoods rather than a centre with sprawl.

Can be ferociously hot and sticky in summer and cold and snowy in winter so time of year will affect how much you want to be out and about.

Food etc is familiar, no language problems, easy to find your way round.

cheezncrackers · 23/06/2024 09:25

What time of year OP? Summers are very hot and humid (and smelly!) in NYC so I probably wouldn't choose to be there in July/August, for instance. Sept/Oct is bliss though - the best time of year. It sounds great to me! Yeah, I'd definitely go for it. There are little playgrounds in lots of areas and Central Park is fab with kids. Take a lightweight stroller with good wheels as you'll be walking a lot, but also folds up small for taking on the subway or in cabs. You'll have a great time.

ThatTimeIKnewFamousPeople · 23/06/2024 09:24

I don't know how else to word this... Manhattan is full of the most neurotic mothers in the world 😁 these woman will not accept lowered standards for their children, they excel in crafting an environment where 1 year olds have their needs met! Your baby will not have to adapt to anything awful. Really. Find the online mom group for the neighbourhood you're staying in. Post and introduce yourself. You will be inundated with suggestions for what to do and how to cope. You'll be fine!

Greenlittecat · 23/06/2024 09:24

Can we come? Our 1 year olds can be friends 😅

Sounds amazing! You will have such a great time!!

MissSookieStackhouse · 23/06/2024 09:23

Definitely do it! I took my one-year-old to Singapore for 5 weeks when my then husband was working over there temporarily. Had to entertain myself and baby during the day while ex was at work. No problemo, went out and about with buggy and really got to see the place! Excellent experience and I’m sure NYC will be just as good.

Original poster
newyorknewyorks · 23/06/2024 09:23

@Allthegoodnamesarechosen this will be the first thing I organise!!

OP posts:
Original poster
newyorknewyorks · 23/06/2024 09:23

Thanks @CassandraWebb. This has been our rule on holidays so far. We've found we love the slower pace and exploring new parks and walks. This is why I think 6 weeks is a great amount of time as (particularly with grandparents babysitting!) we can tick off the things we'd like to do without rushing DC around everywhere. I definitely plan to just take things as they come. Some days here we end up just pottering around all day because she is teething / has a cold / is generally grizzly, so I wouldn't expect it to be any different away and want to make sure we are staying somewhere we can do this comfortably in.

OP posts:
Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 23/06/2024 09:20

Make sure you have comprehensive health insurance for the child as well as the adults. Health ‘scares’ are very expensive in USA

Original poster
newyorknewyorks · 23/06/2024 09:20

Thanks @ThatTimeIKnewFamousPeople. Definitely agree about not being routine driven - we are not as a rule but also have never had such an opportunity to leave our comfort zone before so this is definitely new and an opportunity to take. We both agree now (with just one baby!) is a great time to do it. Not sure where we we will stay yet - grateful for any advice there as well!

@HipHipWhoRay thanks. That's the kind of practical thing I worry about a little! We have a little gannet who would love to live on restaurant food and take aways for the trip if allowed but we will definitely want to be somewhere we can do some home cooking as well.

OP posts:
CassandraWebb · 23/06/2024 09:19

I think where people go wrong is it they expect travel with children to be anything like travel before children.

If you plan to make sure your days and activities will work with a 1 year old it will be fine.

I travelled heaps with my son as a baby/toddler and I just made sure he always had time to play with toys and rest and time in playgrounds etc. so a very different pace to pre children travel but still lovely

Original poster
newyorknewyorks · 23/06/2024 09:17

Wills890 · 23/06/2024 09:10

She's talking about uprooting her family for 6 months, flying and getting used to a new environment with a little baby. She's saying it might be stressful, not that babies can't be in New York. No need to be sarcastic 🙄.

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Thank you for this comment (although it is 6 weeks, not months BlushGrin). I do understand the sentiment and think it is meant to be reassuring but I do also think it goes without saying that it is very different raising a baby somewhere (with all your own equipment, support, knowledge of the place) vs. being somewhere new in a different environment for baby to adapt to with no local knowledge.

OP posts:
Peonies12 · 23/06/2024 09:17

I wouldn’t even think twice about it, sounds amazing. Babies don’t care where they are. Obviously you’ll have to be realistic about what you do each day. And make sure you have comprehensive medical insurance for you and baby, and know how to get medical help if needed.