To pack up and go abroad with DD for 3 months in September

I think this would be amazing, would just need to do lots of research and planning, great insurance, back up plans etc.

I think is amazing for children to travel off the beaten track, to experience different cultures. I want to take mine (5 and 9) to southeast Asia, india etc. But a bit limited by school holidays, wish I had done it pre school start for at least 1 of them!

NZ is amazing, but probably a bit far for an 18 month old. If you can do it just before starting school, that might work well.

I bought a super lightweight pushchair and the car seat with me. Ine of those large hiking rucksacks is better than a case, luggage trolley with a car seat and pushchair is really hard, believe me. I took cases to both, was really hard. A large rucksack would be better. I would also travel light and buy what you need when there. You can pretty much buy anything you need anywhere now. They even have Boots in thailand.

Brilliant idea. Do it. Cyprus would be fab. You MUST check out green bay. It is heavenly

Also, I didn't want to sway you earlier but I think it's quite sensible to skip NZ for now. That's one of my home countries and it's so beautiful but SO pricy now,. It's quite disheartening to get there and not be able to do anything but scrape by.

I took a ring sling to SE Asia so LO could ride on my hip without the faff (and heat) of a proper carrier. And so he could quickly be picked up and put down for all the fun things to explore.

We also travelled carry-on only as most of the clothes available here in the Netherlands were simply too hot. Even a cotton t-shirt feels too thick, much better to pick up a few flowy lightweight bits of clothing, and toys, at the markets when you arrive. You'll end up only wearing 3 or 4 things anyway.

So my whole kit was one small wheely-case, a LO on my hip and a tiny backpack for phone, water, snacks and passport in immediate reach (usually wore that on the front of my body).

Also, a bit different but I did a mother and baby holiday in europe when I was on mat leave. It was in a huge shared villa complex with all other mums and they had childcare in the mornings while the mums had all lovely breakfasts and did yoga. Then afternoons were activitied and day trips. Have a google as there might be some similar trips as it was good to have the support of other mums, childcare on hand and it was so chilled and female centric. Editing my post as I just did a search to see what was there, if you google mother and baby yoga camp thailand for example loads come up, you dont have to be into yoga just if you like the idea of it, ai would probably start the three months with something like that as it will ease you in, give you some support and meet people and acclimatisation and then go from there.

We packed up and left for a year with our two in a bit of a whim tok them to thailand. We travel a lot. We met lots of families doing similar in our travels. Go for it. I recommend finding places to stay that have lots to do for that age, and finding accomodation that is safe and easy for that age. You don't want to be stressed, you want it to be enjoyable. Think about if there are creches, childcare in the hotel or nearby or indoor play areas nearby as if its a hot place you will want respite for the little one from the heat. What room size are you happy in as well, I always need a living room when staying in hotels/apartments etc with my kids as I dont want to be stuck in one room while they sleep at 8pm for example. Medical care is great in thailand, there are loads of facebook groups for families there for meet ups and advice. Pool and water safety was my main concern tbh.

Definitely do it, it would be an amazing adventure! Somewhere like New Zealand would have a great healthcare system. That would be a concern for me when choosing somewhere to travel with a small child.

I would choose a country where the population in general loves babies - and somewhere with good medical as your child is quite young. If English you do get reciprocal medical rights in Australia.

I took my 2 DC to Southeast Asia for a couple of months before they were compulsory school age. I'm a single parent too, everyone said I was mental. It was the best thing I've ever done.

Honestly - the people on this thread who think they need your life story before offering an opinion!

I did Australia for 2 months with a one and 4 year old. I did have dh with me though! We lived in a camper van most of the time interspersed with nice hotels for a break.

It was amazing and we have lovely memories from that time. The dcs were really good on the plane and the air stewardesses were lovely and very helpful.

How fucking nosy. Give it a rest.

Sorry for multi posts but just check out the health insurance angle, you want to be well covered

Also I e flown long haul on my own with two small kids and it's fine - the staff really helped me out. Lots of snacks and a carry on bag of little toys - I allowed one new thing per hour of the flight - mini play doh etc.

Do it -she won't remember it when she's older but it will be a great bonding experience. 3 months is not that long she won't forget her grandad and you can FaceTime

I'd do it but I'd do Thailand if it were me! ☺️

Absolutely do it. My DD and I have been mostly away while it's still possible before I return to work. 3 months is a short time in a bigger picture and she can continue bonding with her grandad via facetime.

Definitely do it. It is only a few months, your dad will manage without seeing her for that long.

Do it

Sounds like you're living the dream, OP! Enough money to live on for 3 months on holiday and no worries about job or money situation when you get back. Why would you NOT do it?!

Go book it and have an amazing time! Very jealous!

I would do it. It’s an amazing opportunity to do something that you want to do before work and school stop it happening. I wish I’d had the confidence to do it when mine were small. I think 18 months is a perfect time for travel. Traveling with a little one in nappies so so much easier than a young child and toilet training
i I haven’t flown a lot with my children. But haven’t taken a lot of trains. I found a taking sling as well as a pushchair very handy. And travel a light as possible. Wrangling a toddler and heavy luggage isnt easy

Oh god, do it !
I wish I had done while on mat leave with mine but didn’t feel physically strong enough to travel alone with baby