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Travelling to family in NI with a toddler - help!

11 replies

Jennyz123 · 16/05/2021 13:18

Hello wise Mumsnetters - I should absolutely know the answers to these things but I don't and Google is not helping me! I thought there must be others in the same situation on here, hopefully the hive mind will come to my rescue 🙂

I couldn't face travelling to visit my parents in N Ireland when my little one was tiny, then the pandemic hit but I am rapidly running out of excuses to put it off! I am a bit of a control freak though and worried about the admin side - the airport/flight will be hideous I know but how do things even work with stuff like a car seat/travel cot? My parents normally pick us up from the airport and we have use of their car once there, but it seems ridiculous to buy a car seat for there when we'll maybe go twice a year at most and hauling one on the plane seems equally mental (was hoping to do hand luggage only but that might be wishful thinking)... is it possible to just hire a car seat without also hiring a car?? What do people do in this situation??

Same re travel cot - we have one for when my little one naps (or doesn't 😔) at MIL's but again getting it there would be a horrendous PITA. My girl is a strict creature of habit (even more so thanks to lockdown) and I'm dreading how much she will be thrown by the change of location/routine - just popping her in a normal bed I think would be a disaster as she has never slept in one before and I don't think she would understand it was bedtime!

Oh dear, I suspect the answer is that I am massively overthinking and panicking about nothing... but if anyone has any words of wisdom/practical tips I'd be really grateful!

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Rainybows790 · 16/05/2021 13:24

Do your parents not know anyone that you could borrow these items from for a short time?
The other option would be for them to buy some cheap from Facebook/gumtree (although I know that’s not ideal when it’s a car seat)

Jennyz123 · 17/05/2021 20:01

@Rainybows790

Do your parents not know anyone that you could borrow these items from for a short time? The other option would be for them to buy some cheap from Facebook/gumtree (although I know that’s not ideal when it’s a car seat)
Thanks Rainybows790, that's a good idea. It hadn't occurred to me as they are in their 70s so don't know lots of young families, but it's worth asking around.
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User27aw · 17/05/2021 20:04

Can you get the ferry? Then you can take all your own stuff. We did that when we took our 12 month old, its a lot of driving but i think easier than flying. We fly now they are older.

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Jennyfromtheculdesac · 17/05/2021 20:07

My parents always borrow stuff off their friends who have grandkids.

idontlikealdi · 17/05/2021 20:19

Ferry! Chuck it all in the car and you're sorted:)

shoofly · 17/05/2021 20:26

I'm in Northern Ireland and when we flew to England with a toddler we hired a car and booked a car seat... Got there to discover the car hire company at Luton thought a car seat was an optional extra...we sat there for 2 hours until they found one... So you can book them....

If your parents use a local Facebook group or are in a church group I'm sure they can ask locally and someone can lend a travel cot, high chair if need be, gro blind for the window. Ive seen people asking and they usually get sorted. People are happy to help.

Jennyz123 · 17/05/2021 21:24

Ah thanks everyone, mumsnet can be so lovely! Yes my husband and I have taken the ferry a few times and I prefer it actually, but we live in Portsmouth area so whichever ferry we went for would be a good few hours of driving plus the actual sailing! Don't think I can face it with a toddler in tow - she gets cranky after 15 mins in the car 🙄 the flight will be bad enough!

Good idea about the church group, I'm sure mum and dad can track stuff down there - will suggest that 👍

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Jennyz123 · 17/05/2021 21:27

Should also point out it won't be all bad - my LO will lose her mind with joy when she discovers fifteens and Mauds 😁

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TheWelshposter · 17/05/2021 21:32

Lol OP I've just had a Mauds this evening, can't beat it!

Rainybows790 · 18/05/2021 08:06

Good luck! I’m sure it will be fine- the airport will be grand as LO will just want to toddle around and will be amused by all the goings on.
Bring lots of snacks for the plane (maybe a dummy or lolly for ears for take off and landing) and lots of different little books/activities. If all else fails- have some games downloaded onto your phone!
It’s such a short flight that it should all be fine though.
Just try to stick as much to your normal routine when you arrive- it’ll help you all!

Jennyz123 · 18/05/2021 21:56

Oooh I am so jealous @TheWelshposter!! I miss choccybear SO much (the one that's a cross between pooh bear and Belgian chocolate) - there is just literally nothing anywhere near as nice here! And don't get me started on the total dearth of decent traybakes..

And brilliant advice @Rainybows790, I will most definitely do all of that! I'm thinking a wee pack of colouring book and pencils plus ALL THE NUMBERBLOCKS downloaded should hopefully see us through the worst 😬

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