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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To travel around the world for 3 months with 2 pre-schoolers?

83 replies

Stuckonthebaby · 23/05/2014 21:02

Various circumstances have come together to mean my husband have some time and money on our hands and basically we'd like to go travelling.

Our children would be just 2 and 3.5 at the time (would be early next year) and we're considering whether we do a round the world tour for 3 months; thinking Thailand, India, Singapore, Aus, NZ and the states (maybe not all).

Are we U to even consider this? Some people think we are. OK we know it won't be the backpacking tours of our twenties. We'd stay in hotels or hire camper vans, be limited in some of the things we can do, the kids won't remember it, we won't have many toys, etc etc, but we're up for an adventure.

So what do mumsnetters think? Would you do it and any advice on places to go avoid?

OP posts:
chesterberry · 23/05/2014 21:33

I think you are considering way too many countries when you only have 3 months. I have only been travelling on my own and can't really imagine travelling with my DD (9mo) yet but would like to travel with her when she is a bit older. I would probably reduce the amount of places you plan to travel to so that you are not moving from place to place too often and so that you don't have too many new places to try and work out in terms of finding the essentials you need, also the less plane journeys you have is probably the better. I'd also plan carefully where you go and what you would need, for example if either of your children are in disposable nappies they are not always easy or cheap to find in some parts of India and the quality is not as good as it is here. How fussy are your children? Also research the vaccinations that would be needed for each country and the risk of food poisoning or mosquito bites etc. I think without careful research about the country it would be foolish to travel anywhere with young children.

I think NZ and Aus would probably be best with young kids as the culture is less different and you'll be able to buy most home comforts you (or your children) might need. I've been to India (spent 3 months there and still didn't see as much as I would have liked to) and plan to take my DD there when she's older but I don't think I would even considering driving in India as the roads are notoriously dangerous and difficult to to drive on. But yes, I would do it, but probably only one or two countries at a time and only after I had carefully researched and planned exactly where I was going to go and where I was going to go to minimise the likelihood of anything going wrong.

chesterberry · 23/05/2014 21:35

Oops. Meant to say 'how fussy are your children's eating habits' and 'planned exactly where I was going to go and where I was going to stay'

Back2Two · 23/05/2014 21:37

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns

Ludways · 23/05/2014 21:52

YANBU, children live in those countries too. Just take it easy, try not to pack too much in.

PlinkyPlonker · 23/05/2014 21:58

Yanbu but can you come to my house first as I struggled to walk my 1.5 and 2.5 yr old DC around the block today. 45mins and DD may have eaten a fag end, I can't be sure. So I could do with some lessons

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 23/05/2014 22:00

I think that sounds fantastic! I have family that have done this. Wish I had the time and money Envy

Original poster
Stuckonthebaby · 23/05/2014 22:04

Grin plinky!

Good advice thanks Chester - flights are always a drama so probably good to keep it simple! Kids are good eaters but I do worry about poorly tummies somewhere like India. Just trying to envisage a dual-toddler-tantrum in the middle of a temple...

OP posts:
Ohnonotagen · 23/05/2014 22:05

have you travelled before? If you have and would feel happy travelling in any of those countries with your DCs then go for it!!! I've travelled without DCs and wouldn't really consider it with DS but he's hard work, i would love to !!

drspouse · 23/05/2014 22:07

I think they'd love Singapore too. I'm about to take DS on a 9 hour flight and we could be away for a couple of months (though it will be one location).
Enjoy!

aprilanne · 23/05/2014 22:09

you go girl the kids are a great age .no school to worry about .hope you have a fantastic time

Buttercup27 · 23/05/2014 22:10

Wow go for it ! Maybe not so many countries but what an experience! Even though your dcs won't necessarily remember it they will learn from it and you will remember.

BlingBubbles · 23/05/2014 22:14

A very good friend of mine did something similar with her 1 year old DD and 3 year old DS, they went to Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand for 3 months. The kids loved it and the photos looked amazing.

Saying all that, they travelled a lot before this trip so the kids were used to planes etc.

If it was me I would go!

Xmasbaby11 · 23/05/2014 22:26

Wow, great opportunity! I love Asia but would probably stick to USA or Australia with such young children as there's less risk of them getting ill, and the climate is more moderate, and food is largely similar (if they are picky eaters).

Hope you enjoy planning your big adventure. I would certainly go if I had chance. While they may not remember it, your DC will be shaped by it and I'm sure you will get a lot out of the experience. So very jealous!

Original poster
Stuckonthebaby · 23/05/2014 22:28

Thanks all. Both kids have travelled quite a bit on various holidays, just never longer than 2 weeks. But I'd imagine there's a flexible flight option so we can come home if it all goes wrong. I guess I'm just thinking we'll never get another chance like it - especially once the older one starts school!

OP posts:
NigellasDealer · 23/05/2014 22:31

why not do it when they are a bit older and they will be able to remember it?

Ohnonotagen · 23/05/2014 22:35

nigella i'm guessing that cus they'll be in school and not as easy to take them out.

As regards memories i wouldn't less that be an influence, i remember so much from when i was 2 to 3 years old and the memories in my head don't feel any different to my current memories

NigellasDealer · 23/05/2014 22:36

true once they start school you are in it for the long term, could be good to take the chance now

ihatewaiting · 23/05/2014 22:49

I would go for it. But be realistic about how many countries you can fit in, if it was me I'd like a month in bigger countries like USA, maybe 2-3 weeks somewhere smaller like NZ. If you plan so you have extra time in places it won't matter if you need to have some slow down the sight-seeing with the kids in tow.

Gennz · 23/05/2014 23:27

Stuckonthebaby I think it's a great idea but I would be slightly less ambitious in your plans. I am pregnant with my first and we are hoping to spend a 3-4 weeks in London& Italy when this baby is about 2 (long term planners). (We live in NZ). I'd probably save India for when the kids are a bit bigger.

Best time to travel to NZ & Oz would be Jan - April (or if you like mountains & snow, July - September for the South Island of NZ - Queenstown/Wanaka is stunning).

I'd also suggest looking into apartments on airbnb rather than hotels. We've found it a great way to travel, have got apartments in Rome, NYC, Paris and London and it's always been better value for money than a hotel, lots more room & generally better locations than the really touristy bits where the hotels are located. (e.g we stayed Trastevere in Rome, Williamsburg in NY, le Marais in Paris, Islington/Barnsbury in London - proper neighborhoods which was great).

Campervan is a great way to see NZ in summer - there are lots of great camping grounds across the country some beachfront at gorgeous beaches, but do bear in mind that while the distances look short, the roads can be a bit tricky - in some parts of the country the main state highway is just one lane on each side. Allow yourself plenty of travel time & stops and don't drive tired & you'll be fine.

Sydney is fab (and more reliably hot in summer than NZ) - amazing beaches within half an hour of the CBD. Melbourne is fantastic too but feels more urban to me but temps can vary wildly, 40 degrees one day and 15 the next.

Unless you can afford business class, do not fly UK - NZ (or Australia) with young kids! I've done UK - NZ straight through in economy many times (once even hopped off the plane in London at 6am and worked a full day at the office that day! I was in my 20s, couldn't do that now!) - definitely break the journey half way. Maybe stop at Singapore on the way in and Thailand on the way back. Air NZ will be travelling NZ - UK via Singapore at the end of the year, all my friends with kids have said how good the Air NZ cabin staff are when travelling with kids so might be worth considering.

Sorry this is a bit of a novel! Hope it helps a bit, PM me if you have any questions about NZ!

Gennz · 23/05/2014 23:29

I'd plan at least 3 weeks if you are driving NZ without feeling rushed - 1 week in the North island (great beaches and a bit warmer) and 2 in the south (which is where all The Lord of the rings scenery is.)

Iflyaway · 23/05/2014 23:48

Yea, go for it.

And no, don, t stick to US and Australia, that, s just the same culture...

Have travelled lots with DS as he grew up. Just get them and you sorted with vaccinations.... and take lots of ORS!

Last year met a lovely English woman in SE Asia travelling with toddler and baby... (her family and local husband around).

Iflyaway · 23/05/2014 23:51

P.s. google travelling with babies/toddlers for info, blogs and such. Better info than pearl clutching Grin on here.

dylanthedragon · 23/05/2014 23:53

Wow! What an amazing opportunity for you all.

As others have said, be realistic about how much you can do. You won't fit in as much sightseeing each day because kids get tired, grumpy and want some time in their own space out of a pushchair or carrier. So you will probably want to stay in each place a bit longer than you would if it was just adults. Plus, I think you need more than a few days in each place to really get the feel of it.

I've been to India and I loved it but I don't think I would take DD while she is a toddler. I wouldn't feel safe unless she was strapped into the pushchair but the crowds, and bad roads and pavements would make it difficult to get about. The people are very friendly and love to see (and squeeze) foreign babies. But I think if they were walking in a crowded place, with lots of people trying to get their attention, it would be very easy to get lost. But I realise this could happen anywhere and you would, of course, be watching them. I think I would feel so anxious that I wouldn't really enjoy it. Not sure if I'm explaining myself very well. It's maybe one to save for a holiday when they are a bit older.

I've travelled a lot in the USA and you'd have no problems getting about or buying things you need. We took DD to Australia and Singapore when she was 1 and had a great time. Again, no problems getting anything we needed and she was still taking some formula milk at the time. There was loads to do and see that was set up for kids. Just watch the budget airlines if you are flying internally in Australia (like all budget airlines I suppose). They all have different baggage rules and we were really stung when we took a car seat and pushchair with us.

Have a great time!

sashh · 24/05/2014 04:52

Go for it. Buy a good camera and go. Round the world flights can be pre booked but changed.

Agree with not trying to see too many countries. Australia is fantastic but Jan/Feb is their summer so can be really hot. That would bother me, but not others. It's fairly easy to rent a camper van which means you could travel interdependently but the kids would be sleeping in the same beds for a couple of weeks.

Alligatorpie · 24/05/2014 05:09

I would probably skip India but would go to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia. It is a great time to travel while the dcs are young. Don't worry about not having many toys, they need way less than we think they do.

I would say, don't try to do much, make sure the dcs get some down time every day. I hope you go and have a great time!