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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

AmericasTorturedBrow · 24/05/2014 05:44

YANBU - If you have the time and money now then go for it. But I would also caution lowering expectations and taking it slowly. The DC will probably be better if they have a week or so at a time in each place.

FWIW we're saving up to take 3months out to travel South America in a few years when our DC will be 5&8. We've already decided we will likely choose 3 countries and aim for a month in each.

I'm secretly hoping it will go so well that DH will agree to us selling everything we own and buggering off around the world for 2 years then settling down in time for secondary education....

PetaPipa · 24/05/2014 05:58

Sounds exciting, and a great opportunity. Go for it, but I personally would avoid countries with a high risk of getting ill with such young children. My DM spends a lot of time in India and says she would never consider taking a young child out there. Toddlers still put things in their mouths, suck their fingers etc and it is so easy to get a serious stomach bug out there. Yes, of course children live there, but a lot of them don't survive their toddler years. Not a risk I would want to take.

Retropear · 24/05/2014 07:05

Very but would perhaps consider waiting until they can remember it if you'll only be able to afford to do it once.

We'd love to do something like this with the dc,it's such a valuable thing to do and the kids are desperate to see the world but as they get older the fundage always seems harder to find.

Retropear · 24/05/2014 07:07

I also think you can do more when they're older and they have more stamina ie can walk for longer,carry their own stuff,need less etc.

chrome100 · 24/05/2014 07:10

I did this for 9 months with a toe and four year old. We went round Asia, mainly cycling with them in a seat on the back. We slept in hostels. Some were more grim than others but the kids got used to it. It was fine actually and their behaviour was a lot better there than back in the uk !

chrome100 · 24/05/2014 07:10

*two (not toe)

Back2Two · 24/05/2014 07:12

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns

PrimalLass · 24/05/2014 07:27

I would bank the money and go when they are old enough to appreciate it. But then neither of mine would have coped with the disruption at that age.

drspouse · 24/05/2014 07:32

yy to apartments not hotels - washing machine is essential!

Retropear · 24/05/2014 07:33

Yes we did big trips through France at that age and have to say they and keeping them safe,amused etc are the focus sadly a lot of the time instead of where you are.

9 and 10 year olds can amuse themselves,carry hoards of stuff,do lots,don't need much and the memories would be priceless.

That said if you're rich and can do it again go for it.

RubyrooUK · 24/05/2014 07:35

My friend travelled round SE Asia with a three year old and 1.5 year old for four months.

Her children still talk about it two years later (the little one knows all the stories even if he doesn't have clear memories). Both are great travellers and like lots of different foods they tried along the way.

It was an amazing bonding experience for the family. Obviously not like travelling when young and carefree but still incredible and they wish they could do it again. She said her eldest missed their toys but never wanted to go home.

Unless you're staying in complete dives, it sounds amazing. I'd definitely do this with my two toddlers if ever we could afford it.

Retropear · 24/05/2014 07:38

They won't remember it at 10 or as adults though.

My dc can't rem those early trips.I can rem trips with my parents we did when I was 10 even now in my 40s.

I'd want an amazing experience like that to be with my dc for life.

RubyrooUK · 24/05/2014 07:38

PS. I am not good at delayed gratification though. I'd worry that if I left it till they were older, maybe we'd need the money for ill parents, have bad health ourselves.....basically a reason would come up not to do it if you had to wait seven years.

But I am terrible at waiting and always seem to think of the worst future scenario!

RubyrooUK · 24/05/2014 07:40

Really Retropear? I remember trips from the age of two. And I definitely have detailed memories of trips we took all through my school years. My parents loved travelling and so we did a lot.

Retropear · 24/05/2014 07:41

Yes I have to admit mine are 9,10 and 10 and the coffers are bare.

Op could put said money in an account she can't get at for a while though.

paxtecum · 24/05/2014 07:42

My niece and her DH did it with a toddler & two older DCs. The toddler became extremely clingy and would only sleep in a bed with the parents throughout the trip, which meant one of them had to go to bed early every night.

Camper vans are brilliant, but get a bigger one than you really need so you have a bit of spare space.

I think it will be exhausting at times but a great experience.

Retropear · 24/05/2014 07:43

Blimey Ruby you gave a good memory.We lived in Singapore at that age and I can't rem anything not even my arma(sp?)or house.

soapnuts · 24/05/2014 07:46

Go for it -and you know what, don't be too realistic about where to go and how long. At least at the start dream big - you can pin things down a bit but if you start with restrictions you won't get the trip Ida lifetime. I live I. One of your countries and they are all doable with kids.
The one thing I would be having a long hard think about how you're going to deal with us safety. Can you afford travel insurance with all the bells and whistles (especially air evac if something goes wrong), do you know anyone in/near those countries who would help if things went wrong?how are you going to deal with car safety? Can you be ok with no seatbelts let along car seats for the little ones? (Google ride safe jackets as they're prob your best option). Pack a super comprehensive first aid kit and know how to use it. Do you have a good baby carrier for when the youngest gets tired?

I'd do any of those countries without a second thought) except perhaps India... That scares me!)
You will always regret it if you don't go and evenif they do t remember everything you'll be able to keep the trip alive with photos and stories for years and years. Good luck!

Booboostoo · 24/05/2014 07:54

I feel tired just thinking about it, but go for it!

Would it be more realistic if you planned a camper van tour of one or two large countries? That way you have your own home with you all the time, you can stop if you need to without incurring extra costs, you can plan your day as you want around nap times and times the children just need to eat, cope better with bad weather days, etc., or do more adventurous stuff on good days.

PieceOfTheMoon · 24/05/2014 08:34

I wouldn't worry too much about whether they remember it or not, the important thing is you all enjoy it at the time. Take lots of photos and film to help them (and you!) remember the trip.

I travelled a bit when I wad younger and would love to go back to some of the places with my family now. Definitely Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong. I wouldn't go to Thailand, but only because I found the roads and driving a bit scary.

We travelled for a couple of months around Europe when DC1 was 3y and DC2 was 3m. It ws brilliant, but DC1 did get a bit homesick and although he enjoyed the trip I've never seen him more delighted than when he got home to his old bedroom.

We found staying in apartments much better than hotels - generally cheaper, but mainly you don't all have to go to bed at the same time.

jasminemai · 24/05/2014 08:39

Sounds great. Next year we are travelling abroad for the 6 weeks summer hols with our 3 and Iif its good we want to do similar thing every year. We are sticking in one place though first as will have a baby under 1 but I would definitely like to branch out to more places in one trip the next years.

OrangeChair · 24/05/2014 08:47

Do it! And don't take advice from people who haven't d

OrangeChair · 24/05/2014 08:50

Stupid phone! ... Done or wouldn't do a trip like this. You don't need nay-sayers giving you doubts. There must be a lot of travellers' forums around where you can get advice from people who have experience and a passion for travel.

Have a great time and come back and tell us all about it.

PresidentSpreadable · 24/05/2014 08:52

Great idea! I'd probably scale back on the number of countries though.

Some friends spent a year in India (with a quick side trip to SE Asia) with their just turned 3 year old and 5 year old (took her out of school after one term). The kids had a marvellous time. The only thing they made sure of is that the 3 year old was out of nappies before they went, and happy to go without a pushchair. They spent a lot of time up near Macleod Ganj, and Christmas and new year in Goa (lots of Father Christmases as it's got a big Christian population). We met up with them for a month as we were also travelling over there at the same time.

Having kids with you is a great conversation starter and the kids made friends wherever they went. They are both in their teens now, but still have some memories, and the scrapbooks they kept.

granny24 · 24/05/2014 09:20

Go for it. I took DS to Turkey for a month by train with no sleeping car. That was 40 years ago. Turkey esp in rural parts was pretty hard core in those days..Absolutely no western stuff. People were amazing when travelling with small blonde bus eyed SON. One of my best memories is how everyone thought I was INCREDIBLY neglectful as I would walk him round Without anti-evil eye charms pinned to him. People were so horrified that they would nip and buy the necessary charms and pin them on/pop them in the pushchair. Don't worry about meltdowns in temples ext. People in second and third world countries are far more clued up and accommodating of children. Go for it and good luck.

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