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Original poster

NYC with a 20 month old

15 replies

PlansNotDreams · 23/10/2018 13:32

DH and I have the opportunity to go to New York for my best friend's wedding early next year.

DS will be 20 months at the time and initially we planned to take him.....until MIL offered to stay and have him for the 5 days that we are away. For context, she is active, retired and mid-sixties and FIL would join her for half the week. DS would usually be at nursery so MIL will get a break in the day if she wishes to use it.

DS loves spending time with them and I know he's happy with them, so that's not a concern. I just feel guilty for DS potentially missing out!

Has anyone done London - NYC with a toddler? And would you recommend?

Thank you!

OP posts:
IsTheRainEverComingBack · 23/10/2018 13:36

He won’t miss out, he will have no concept of this at all and even if he did go wouldn’t remember a thing. Go without him and enjoy yourselves!

selfidentifyinggiraffe · 23/10/2018 13:38

This will be the most unhelpful comment (sorry) I read that as NC with a 20 month year old and thought you were being a bit harsh

MadisonAvenue · 23/10/2018 13:38

We did years ago, the toddler is now 21 but was 19 months the first time he visited NYC. It was fine, and we actually found that we didn’t have to queue for things as staff would see us with a buggy and wave us to the front. There was plenty to occupy him (zoos, boats, cable car to Roosevelt Island, subway to Coney Island etc).

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Teakind · 23/10/2018 13:43

I’m going soon with my 18 month old. She won’t remember anything but that’s not the point. She’s at a really curious age so it’ll be nice to show her different things. I also couldn’t leave her behind but I’m prob OTT like that!

Original poster
PlansNotDreams · 23/10/2018 14:15

Thanks for the perspectives, it's good to hear that there are lots of activities to occupy that age category!

It will be the first time we've left him, but it won't be the first time I've left him personally. I've travelled away for work twice (1 week UK and 1 week international), but he was with DH both of those times. I had no problems leaving him with his other parent, but this I do feel slightly different about.

OP posts:
yikesanotherbooboo · 23/10/2018 17:08

OP your baby won't miss out at all. He will be at home with all his things around and someone who loves him. However I totally understand how you are feeling. I cannot get nearly the same enjoyment going away without DC as I do with and this has applied throughout the 27 years that I have been a parent. It feels like a waste of holiday to go away without the family.,on that basis , given the option I would take my toddler . I also hate inconveniencing other people .

JosellaPlayton · 23/10/2018 17:13

I live in the US with a toddler and have family in NY. So yes I’ve done it. It’s a huge city, of course there are plenty of things to do with kids. That said, there are also plenty of better things to do without kids. He won’t even remember it and you have an offer of babysitting from MIL so as long as she’s trustworthy I would personally jump at the chance to go without him.

holycityzoo · 23/10/2018 17:26

Are you mad?! Five days alone with your dh in nyc? Snatch her hand off!
You can have a break, relax at your friends wedding, drink cocktails,finish a meal in peace, hell finish a conversation in peace....
It will be lovely for your mil to have some time one on one with her grandson and also nice for your son to be with granny.
I have 4dc and while I adore them all time alone with dh is so so important for our relationship it makes us remember why we love each other which is easy to forget when surrounded by washing up, homework and other mundane everyday stuff.

CottonSock · 23/10/2018 17:31

Amazing opportunity, do it! But don't go non contact he he

KindergartenKop · 23/10/2018 18:55

We did this with a 16 month old. It was ok. Subway isn't buggy friendly but with two of us it was easy to get him down the steps. We went to Central Park and the zoo there, the Staten Island Ferry, up the top of the rock and the highline park. It was good and toddler only slightly cramped our style.

Minniemountain · 23/10/2018 19:01

Flying with a toddler when you can avoid it? shudder

Original poster
PlansNotDreams · 23/10/2018 19:36

I have to admit the flight time, and the fact it’ll be his first, is the thing that first made me inclined to take MIL up on her offer.

PIL very trustworthy - they took me in when I was just their son’s girlfriend, a teenager and my parents passed away, even though I’d never so much as been round for dinner!

Having said that, I do still think it could be a great opportunity for DS.

Thanks all for your input, it’s made me more confident that we could take him and have a good time, and equally more confident that he would be alright with GPs.

OP posts:
JosellaPlayton · 23/10/2018 19:38

If you do take him then buy him a seat. Only a sadist would attempt to keep a toddler on their lap for a long haul flight!

zucchinicourgette · 23/10/2018 19:53

when you say the wedding is ‘early next year’ do you mean January or February? If so bear in mind that it will probably be freezing in NYC. At that time of year I would definitely lean towards not taking your toddler. Either way you will have fun though, it’s just a different kind of fun and it depends which you feel like.

Aworldofmyown · 23/10/2018 19:57

Ooh enjoy a few days away with your husband!!

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