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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want to take my baby traveling for a year

23 replies

nirvana1111 · 26/03/2012 21:08

just me and her in a campervan, all around Europe, Australia, new Zealand and america.
She's nine weeks now, im thinking next year,am i mad? Has anyone done this?

OP posts:
girliefriend · 26/03/2012 21:09

No go for it, if you can afford it think it would be an amazing thing to do!!!

LoopyLoopsIsTentativelyBack · 26/03/2012 21:10

Sounds lovely but your family might resent you.

McHappyPants2012 · 26/03/2012 21:11

i couldn't do it, too long away from family and friends.

how about the babies dad, what does he say about it

Pitufina · 26/03/2012 21:12

Sounds like a great idea. I don't see why not. She hasn't got school to worry about yet. We took our DS away sailing on a small boat for 4 months when he was 6 months old. Didn't do him any harm. We planned it carefully particularly food and washing facilities. Go for it!

NettoSuperstar · 26/03/2012 21:13

I took my baby to Indonesia for ten weeks. It was booked for four, but I got sidetracked, by a bomb and malaria. (long story)
Do it.
Travelling with a baby is fab, and quite probably easier than with an older child.
Babies are pick up able, everyone loves to pick them up, they also eat everything, and don't talk, and in DD's case, couldn't walk!

bronze · 26/03/2012 21:15

Sounds brilliant. If you think you can then you can. I would say go sooner rather than later though as smaller babies are easier and she'll grow up being used to it

RuleBritannia · 26/03/2012 21:16

Your baby is a child that is relatively non-'combustible'. She will not know what is going on and will be easy to deal with wherever you go.

My son and his lovely wife took their 9 month old son around the world and had a lovely time because, wherever they went, the baby was so popular that it made the experience a joy for them. The women in Fiji looked after him and loved him to bits. Strangers, yes, but every country has advantages and perceptions that we all appreciate.

Just be careful about which countries you visit.

troisgarcons · 26/03/2012 21:20

Excellent - how are you going to drive from NZ to America?

if you can fund it - kids dont really give a shit what parents do, at that age.

Just remember to get travel insurance.

NettoSuperstar · 26/03/2012 21:20

I had a hard time looking after my own baby, the people were so desperate to look after her for me.
I took advantage of this at times!
I can't promote it enough though, travelling with DD was fantastic, brilliant, and I just wish I could have done it more.

Original poster
nirvana1111 · 26/03/2012 21:21

Not with the baby's father and he has no contact at the moment.
I think i am going to go, my family will miss us but my mum is telling me to go for it. I could always do a few return trips to the uk and keep in touch via skype when traveling.

OP posts:
maybenow · 26/03/2012 21:23

sounds great but who else is in your baby's life who would miss on a year of her development? father? grandparents? extended family?

i think you might need/want to arrange for those other special people to visit and you to meet up with them - otherwise a year is a long time...

maybenow · 26/03/2012 21:23

xposts. sorry, seems like you've got the visit thing under control and your mum is behind you so go for it!

Original poster
nirvana1111 · 26/03/2012 21:24

I obviously wouldn't drive from NZ to America, would probably hire a campervan in both countries. Haven't quite figured out the ins and outs yet

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 26/03/2012 21:24

Do it - I'd have loved to.

Original poster
nirvana1111 · 26/03/2012 21:26

And yes would probably arrange for them to come out to see us or for us to go home a few times

OP posts:
MadameChinLegs · 26/03/2012 21:26

Go as soon as you are ready. The younger your DD is, the easier I imagine it would be.

Good on you.

Aribura · 26/03/2012 21:29

@ "She'll grow up used to it" she won't know what's going on.

ButHeNeverDid · 26/03/2012 21:31

We travelled with twins between 6 to 9 months. It was great!

Good luck and have fun. And take lots of muslins - there are 101 uses for muslins when travelling!

Note that you will be making loads of compromises about stuff that would bother you if you were at home eg. my twins had nothing but jars and finger food at the start of weaning. No fancy home made purees for them!

BerryLellow · 26/03/2012 21:34

Do it. Better to come home early if it's not working out than to always wonder what it would have been like. Good luck!

McHappyPants2012 · 26/03/2012 21:38

then i would go for it, your mum sounds lovely :)

Tortu · 26/03/2012 21:39

Sounds wicked. Would do it sooner rather than later though, because as soon as they become mobile it would be a nightmare!

Original poster
nirvana1111 · 26/03/2012 21:46

Thanks everyone! I'm gonna go for it and start organizing it for next year :)

OP posts:
Original poster
nirvana1111 · 26/03/2012 21:49

Thanks everyone! I'm gonna go for it and start organizing it for next year :)

OP posts:
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