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

New Zealand is very expensive

Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Borneo & Indonesia are much chesper

Investigate the visa requirements before travelling

Buy travel insurance

Check health vaccinations before travel

I'd recommend Cape Verde Islands. Regular flights from UK, quite diverse, beautiful beaches along with huge nature areas.

In terms of specifics re travelling - I did find longhaul travel with children of this age quite difficult. They don't get their own seat but are too big to hang out in the baby seats provided for too long, they do want to crawl and move around etc. It's not a train smash, just something to consider. Our flight to SA when DD was 18 months was a nightmare - thank god she passed out a few hours in and slept the rest of the way although I'm not certain my leg has ever recovered! eg, if you go to new zealand and you're doing it for 3 months, perhaps take 2 or 3 slightly shorter flights to get there. That has some hassles and extra challenges, but might be easier than 24 hours more or less stuck on one seat.

Some people seem really entitled to information on Mumsnet, when they have no right to it. If the OP doesn't think it's relevant, then perhaps STFU on the subject. It's certainly not relevant to anyone else.

Go for it! Make sure you get adequate insurance for you both that will cover the extent of your trip. And some people seem to be unlucky in that their children are always ill - that doesn't mean your child will be, so I'd take any of those sorts of comments with a pinch of salt.

You posted about struggling for money last week, how on earth will you afford it?

I love travelling with my kids, go for it.

If you head to NZ you might want to stop in SE Asia for a couple of weeks (maybe a month?) to break up the long flight and enjoy some less expensive time in gorgeous surroundings.

My lad enjoyed Thailand very much, and Malaysia to a slightly lesser extent.

If OP didn't mention a Dad then common sense would say he isn't on the scene yes? Very clear. No need for the multiple posts asking about it ffs.

This place is full of vultures honest to God.

Go and have a fabulous time OP!

When we went to NZ on honeymoon we did a six day stopover in Thailand .

Split the flights 12/12,both overnights, and phased the jetlag too.

WTF are you talking about? It’s not Sharia law…

Shocking how many Brits are already happy with Sharia law.

I would totally do it. When my first DD was born, I planned to go to Oz for 3 months (DH was going to come for the middle 4 weeks as was working).

Had it all planned, have friends there so was going to hop around a bit. Hire a car, or buy a cheap one I could easily sell on. Spend lots of time swimming in pools and on the beach.

Unfortunately Covid lock downs scuppered my plans. And I've always been sad not to have done it.

Before I had kids (now have 2) I travelled a lot.

The flight would be tough for NZ, but a short time in the grand scheme of things.

Do it OP and have the best time ever.

Under 2 you don’t have to pay full price for airfare, aren’t restricted to school holidays and it’s less disruptive to a child who dies not yet have friends, hobbies etc

@Journeyintomelody I love NZ and would go in a heartbeat. It’s a beautiful country, the people are very friendly and accommodation if travelling around is surprisingly cheap. NZ is not great if relying on public transport and certain food can be expensive as a lot has to be imported. September is their Spring moving into summer so weather should be good, not peak tourist season. Really interesting history, beautiful and varied landscapes.

Cyprus is also a beautiful place to be, again very friendly locals with a large proportion who have some level of English. Closer to home if you need to get back quickly and cheaper flights. September-November is still warm and avoids tourist season.

They are both wonderful countries, personally I’d go for NZ (probably not a surprise given my username). You may find travelling long haul when your child is older too expensive/time consuming so I would prioritise that right now. You could also include a stop over in Singapore or California and once there it’s not far to Fiji or Australia.

NZ amd Cyprus are both quite safe places. I think you should go for it!! NZ might be easier to navigate without language barriers.. easier if you do get ill or have an emergency etc however it's also further away so..
But I'd definitely go if I were you. It's a great opportunity and you will bond so much! At that age her need for stability is going to come mainly from you, not where she is.. she won't have a friendship group she remembers.. so I'd say do it now!!

NZ is great but I would worry about the length of flight for such a young child ( and the other passengers with a fractious child ) Also while you will build great memories etc. not sure your DC will remember much of it and will be a wasted experience for them.

NZ might be better, assuming you can get a reasonable length of time off to do when your DC is older and can also get much more involved in the experiences on offer -it's a great place particularly for the outdoors.

Might be better to do somewhere a bit closer to home with a shortened flight this time around. Living for 3 months on a Caribbean island perhaps - fabulous beaches , warm weather and a slower pace of life for you ?

I say Do It if that is something you like doing and enjoy go, she likely wont remember it but thats not what its about is it. Once she is in school other than summer holidays when it can get pricey, you wont have the chance in the same way unless you take a whole year out - then you also have work to think about.Kids are great free range and if later she is out of school for a bit then schooling can be maintained on a couple of hrs a day for most bright kids, so much time is wasted in schools for brighter kids

Absolutely do it!!!

Do it. You only live once and so much easier before kid starts school. Wishing you all the best.

Absolutely do it. Your hours away so if you need to pop back for any reason just do it. I think those early months together as so invaluable for bonding and also for you to be fully rested and in the right frame of mind to go back to work. Could you fly grandpa over for a couple of visits?

JUST DO IT!

Thats good but I have been questioned about my DC's friends at passport control once and they were old enough to explain themselves.
It probably won't happen but its as well to be prepared
Anyway, it looks like it wouldn't be an issue for OP - apologies if my comment meant you had to disclose something you would rather not OP

Just Cyprus does sound a bit boring

id need to travel around

my next plan is inter railing

that could be an option for you?

are you wanting to travel
or just live somewhere else for a while