in thinking that 4 days in London will be too much for my 2yr old?

[AllHailDaddyPig]

I am aware I might seem rather PFB about this, but I need opinions - I'll happily be told I'm being silly.

My DH has planned a trip for us to go to London for 4 days in Feb. My DD turns 2 at the end of this month, and she's very reliant on her routine - as I'm sure most toddlers are. She is very fussy about things, and doesn't cope well with change/unexpected things...she gets really upset if you try and change things. I do persevere though, I just pick my battles.

Even over christmas, with the routine only changing a little (we spent a lot of time having meal out, visiting people at times we normally wouldnt), and she really struggled with it. She was tearful, over tired and not herself, it affected her sleep as well.

So I am worried about this trip. Given that christmas was enjoyable, and she was surrounded by familiar people/toys/places, she still found it really hard and I was surprised at how much it affected her. So surely London would be much worse, DH wants to do all the sightseeing and has a very detailed list of all the things he wants to do...there are lots of things I want to see as well but I just think that poor DD would hate it, she would be so bored wouldnt she? DH doesnt seem to understand that she won't be interested in all the landmarks! And she won't have any familiarity/routine at all, and I am really worried about how this will affect her, and ultimately if it's worth it?

DH keeps saying 'Oh it'll be fine, we'll work it out' but yet he doesn't want to have a 2 hr birthday party for her as it might 'overwhelm her'

Obviously I know, it wouldn't be the end of the world, and she'd be basically ok, but is it really worth it? Just doesn't seem like it's going to be very fun for her and she is going to miss her routine. As I said, I like to pick my battles, and don't want to go if it will be too much for her.

Thankyou in advance, I know I probably seem very precious but please be kind

Oh no, I do want to go, I've always wanted to, just feel a bit mean if it's going to be very boring for her.

I'm feeling more optimistic now though, reading some of these posts, I'll research the places mentioned. Can anyone suggest any more child friendly places?

There are absolutely loads of things to do in London, many free, and plenty where you can get the 2 for 1 vouchers.

If your husband wants to wander off to look at something which wouldnt be of any interest to you or child, then let him go, and do something different, then meet up afterwards.

Having said that, your child has to learn to be part of the family, not the centre of attention. I dont mean that in a bad way, she has to understand that not everything is always going to be for her benefit. Do something that she will enjoy for a couple of hours in a morning, then do the museums while she is napping in her buggy.. if you plan it right, it will be fun for all of you.

I think your DH may be struggling a bit to come to terms with the idea that things have really honestly and irrevocably changed now there is a baby. Four days of sightseeing stuff he's interested in, but DD is not, will not work. She will be sad, and so therefore you will.

Four days in London is fine, and the routine will recover, but it does need to be planned around what she enjoys first.

I'd have a list of higher- and lower-energy places to go, depending on mood.

Giraffe is good. Carluccios also. Ping pong works quite well, and Yo Sushi is almost a guaranteed hit. Lots of soft-play and libraries across the city (I can hear the splutters already "but we have soft-play here!" That's the sound of a DH who's not adjusted to the new reality fully...).

Enjoy!

Don't assume that all museums are boring, I went into the V&A as it would be boring for DS, 18months at the time, so he could have a doze. It woke him up! The high ceilings, lots of shadows, colours, people, etc. He loved it! I second the basement of the science museum, just brilliant, if you make it there! Museums are far more child friendly, with activities for them to do. Tate modern has some very good take round activities. Check reinvent websites.
I have only just relaxed about days out/sleeping, I wish I'd done it earlier, he copes better than I thought if I just leave him alone! And we have nicer days out.
Some tubes are dead in the rush hour, most are horribly busy. Rush hour is until about 9:30 and starting again about 4:30, best avoided if you can.

WE-ll, IME city breaks can be exhausting with a toddler - don't ever talk to me, anyone, abour the supposedly child-friendly Paris - our 'break' there when DS was nearly 2 reduced us to tears of exhaustion!

What sort of place are you staying in, and is your 2 yo a good eater? If you can sit down at meal times and she will sit in a high chair and eat pasta, great! You can plan days out and take her buggy and make sure that she has chance to run about - I hope lots of the places you wish to visit are child-friendly?

Evenings are hard on city-breaks in winter - unless you can all eat out at 5pm say lots of nice places to do that in London, on the S Bank etc) and then spend the evening in you hotel, or she will sleep in her buggy while you go out, it's hard.

There are lots of little and big parks all over London - do you wnat to give us your DH's suggested itinerary? The plan is cricial! She may well enjoy the open topped bus tour or a river boat trip as long as you dress up v warm. You can get on and off the bus tour, and also some river trips.

Just avoid shopping!!

Other good places:

• natural history museum
• science museum (has a great play area in the basement)

I respectfully disagree with AllHail and charliesmommy. I think that the adults have more responsibility to learn to cope with the child's needs and desires than vice-versa. And I don't see why you should be left looking after the toddler while your DH wanders off to see things that interest him -- unless you also get time off.

If you are planning to go to the zoo / aquarium etc look at booking in advance on the internet and the zoo is expensive. Wagamamma's is good for kids too there are a few dotted around central london and they are used to families with children.

The changing of the guard is worth seeing but you need to arrive early (40mins+) to get a decent vantage point. Horseguards is worth a look too.
The Diana playground mentioned above in Kensington Gardens is great. Consider Battersea Park Children's zoo. Get one of the river buses down the Thames from Embankment to the Tower of London for a great view of the City of London from the water at a similar price to the Tube (there is a Wagamamma's overlooking the Tower - I've done the same journey with my kids).

One suggestion is to take your husband's list and cut it down if it is more than a couple of sights a day otherwise it will quickly turn into a chore. London is great but you need to allow a reasonable amount of time to get around with kids and part of the fun is wandering around.

Go.

But sit down first with your DH and talk about where would be interesting for a 2yo.

Wandering around an art gallery may be your DH's idea of a fun afternoon, but unlikely to interest your DD.

If you go to Hamleys right before you go to the art gallery, and have a run in a park afterwards, then it will be a fun day out for all.

Princess Diana memorial Park It is free and there is a cafe right next to it
Also Covent Garden with the street entertainers is good too. Probably just the weeks now. (Thanks to the Chainsaw juggler who pulled me out last week, my kids thought it was the funniest thing ever, a naked guy with pink underpants climbing onto my shoulders!)

Weekend not weeks.

Definitely London Zoo, and the South Bank walk is fab. You can always walk one way and get the RV1 bus (single decker and very pram friendly) the other way. Think of some warm and free places to pop into round and about for a rest/run around. Royal Festival Hall is great - huge (free) atrium, with lots of space for toddlers to run around, and a cafe too. British Museum has another good atrium. I would be prepared (and prepare DH) for quite short visits into places - may not be able to spend hours sightseeing, but be prepared to move on when DD gets bored. Check opening times for Tower Bridge (think it's on website) - my DSs fascinated with watching bridge open and seeing big boats come through. Enjoy!

I have to say, London in February is going to be bloody cold. I live here and it isnt normally the best time of year for parks and outdoor attractions.

Yes you are being a bit PFB I'm afraid Lol.

Babies do need a routine of course but sometimes life isn't like that and the child has to learn to cope the same as adults do. If you had another baby she'd have to adapt to a huge change in routine...so don't worry about it and have fun

OP we go to London every 6 months or so for 2/3 days with DS (now 2.5) and we haven't encountered any problems yet... Here are our tips:

• we always book a suite so DS can go to sleep at his normal time without being disturbed by us watching TV / moving about.

• we stay in a very central hotel near shops so one of us can pop out if we forget something.

• also always book hotel with underground/adjacent car park so much easier with little ones. We then leave the car there for the duration and we walk everywhere (DS in buggy) or use Addison Lee cars as they have a little booster seat (not ideal but better than nothing!)

• we always have room service breakfast as DS likes to have something to eat & drink as soon as he wakes up (ie before getting dressed etc) so I order it to be delivered the night before at 8am. DH and I quite enjoy breakfast in bed as well .

Once you get there you'll wonder why you were so worried Have a lovely time :)

I think you should slow your Dh down a little. We're taking our 5yr old and 1.5yr old to London in may. One day will travel there, next day bus tour and London eye, day after nat hist museum and Hyde park, last day science museum and travel home. We plan to be slow and steady. No idea what the baby's nap routine will be at that point.

Oh yes we're staying in a 3bed apartment so no one is disturbed by anyone!

Everything is fascinating for a 2 years old. Every sound, smell, colour and of course people. She doesn't have to understand history to have fun in the museum, she can do people-watching. And once out of the mueseum she mind paddle in some water and have fun.
As long as she doesn't pick tension she will be fine.

We go away for long weekends all the time.
Ds seems to settle back into the swing of things.
I try to stick to same bedtimes and mealtimes but adapt if not possible.

Think you'll all enjoy the change of scene.

There are loads of wonderful parks in London and great places for kids. As long as you don't try to do too much at once it'll be fab.
We've just returned and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Enjoy!

wolfhound
I once sneaked out of the office to watch Tower Bridge opening when I worked nearby so its not just kids

We had the same concerns too about going sight seeing with our 2nd who is very reliant on an early afternoon nap. You don't want them to be so exhausted that niether parents or children enjoy the holiday. Can't think of anything worse than trying to be upbeat when you are dragging a sleep deprived whingy child from pillar to post. Going to a mix of child/adult friendly places is a great idea though. If you think 2 year old would sleep in her buggy than go for it and enjoy - otherwise I'd postpone for a year. We have decided to to more sea side holidays for the mo and plan to do London when son is 3 and third child is a 5 months months old. Really not looking forward to the crowds/city life etc but cant wait to see the sights.

Boat down to Greenwich, Maritime Museum (toddlers look at almost anything, don't they?) walk up the hill to the Observatory / Astronomy Museum, back down and back into Central London by overground train. Swap Maritime Museum or Observatory for Greenwich Market if a Saturday.

If galleries are your thing, Tate Modern is good - DS used to love looking out over the turbine hall from the top levels, or out over the river and spotting all the boats, from the coffee bar, and the huge long escalators are great!

You should def take your dd to London, we've taken our dd twice, once when she was 23 months (and I was eight months pg!) and once when she was 3.3 yrs. She enjoyed it both times but we did find that she was completely knackered, mainly from being dragged between different places, the tube and buses! I always forget the distances involved when going between them, especially as most tube stations don't have lifts so you have to drag child and pushchair and any other gumpf up and down escalators and along endless corridors with some steps factored in!

My suggestions would be to not try and do too much, especially if it involves a lot of travelling between places, and to have a back up plan if the weather changes, and keep plenty of snacks to hand!

Would def recommend Science Plan basement, river trip, trip on top deck of bus (no 11 bus is good, goes from Liverpool St to Victoria and beyond and goes past loads of sights and is not a hideously expensive tour bus!), Battersea Park (has a farm park/zoo) plus other places suggested above.

I do think you're being a bit PFB, but there is no denying that you have to do things at a different pace when you have a toddler.

How many days out and weekends away have you done as a family? DH often overestimates how much we can do in a day with DS (2.5) in tow because he is not with him day in day out.

2 year-olds aren't babies who can just be carted about, they need entertaining and amusing along the way.

I think you should go, but I think you need to make sure that the itinerary is realistic.

Last year I took DD to London 3 times (she is 2 1/2 now) - and yes you are being a tiny PFB. Travelling with children is really no problem as long as you and your DH plan the trip with her in mind as well:

• Hamleys is good, but be prepared... You'll end up spending money there!
• Artists and musicians in Covent Garden
• Feed the ducks in Regent's park
• Trip on the Thames on Duckboat
• Zoo, aquarium, medicine museum, dinosaurs at natural history
• Labyrinth at Hampton Court
• Harrods sweetshop, patisserie and pet store
• Kew Gardens - perfect if you want DCs to run around. Not very crowded in the spring.
• Tower is OK, but not always buggy friendly (if you want to walk on the walls). Crown jewels, armouries, Ravens, Beefeaters a hit.
• I found that the Tate Modern keeps kids rather occupied - it is an art gallery but has got so many "weird" pieces/videos that I could easily keep DD happy
• Changing of the GUard, if you you put DC on your shoulders, and as long as you do not go in high season or bank hols.

And WALK as much as you can: in central London you often do not need to take the Tube if you are happy walking 20-25 mins or so. WHen you can, buses are often better than the Tube (although I appreciate they are not as easy to navigate).

Probably best avoided:

• HMS Belfast: great to visit with children but impossible to negotiate with a buggy
• National gallery: probably best avoided with anyone under 12. Portrait gallery better, but still, not for toddlers.
• Westminster Abbey/St. Paul's/cemeteries etc. best avoided
• Oxford street and Bond street.
• London eye. I actually got bored on that one so would not bring LO.
• Camden market: DD got a bit overwhelmed by that one (or potentially she was a bit tired). I am not a fan anyway.

Selfridges has the best changing facilities if you need that.

TO eat:

• Echo Giraffe, best in class for child friendliness
• Busaba Eat Thai - the food is spicy but there were very happy to suggest child friendly dishes
• Zizzi pizzeria (IMO better than Pizza Express)
• Pain quotidien
• Many gastropubs are very children friendly too
• Rainforest cafè: children apparently love it but the food is ghastly so we have never been! Also agree with all the others mentioned here

Reasons we were at wits end in paris:
DS hated sitting still and eating in cafes.
French parks: not allowed on grass
DS wouldn't sleep in travel cot in hotel room, barely slept at all, we were tired out.
Found it hard to feed ds in poky hotel room.