AIBU to take 8 month old on holiday?

[whoopsiedaisies]

We have a holiday to Croatia planned for next month, my parents think IABU to take my DS who will be 8mo. They said it's unfair on him, he gains nothing from it and it's a lot for him. I disagree, think as long as he is with us then he is a happy boy, it doesn't matter where in the world we are. Who is BU?

Sure, he'll be fine! Keep him protected from the sun and make sure he's getting the rest and things he needs and it will be no problem. Happy babies have happy, relaxed parents and a holiday will be just the ticket for that!

Is it a beach/pool sort of holiday? Be careful with the sun and he'll love it. We took DD to fuerteventura at that age and she had a ball. You just need to be a bit organised re taking food etc.

He might not appreciate anything cultural if you're planning on a bit of history too!

If anything I think 8 months is better than when he's a bit older, as he'll actually sit on you on the plane instead of wanting to run up and down the aisle for hours...

Of course YANBU. Why wouldn't you go on holiday?
I mean, they need a fair bit of stuff but actually it's easier at 8 months than a year later. Go and enjoy. Croatia is amazing. Try and get to Hvar, it's gorgeous.

A holiday with happy relaxed parents is a great thing for the baby. Sorry your parents are nuts

You will be fine. We took DS to Greece for two weeks last year when he was 5 months so I can guess what kind of comments you've been getting! Ds was absolutely fine, in fact we often joke about how much he must have loved his first holiday because he was a grumpy baby before but turned into a happy, smiley little fella while we were away, and he's stayed that way since . It was maybe a bit easier for us as he wasn't weaned, just BF so no worry over food but I've been to Croatia and the food is awesome. Have a great time!

We took our 9month to Menorca and she loved it! So did we, super relaxing and wonderful to spend time together. Have a wonderful time.

What a strange attitude. He will like being with you and you with him.

We live in NZ and have taken DS (3) on all sorts of trips, including the UK and Italy twice. He might not remember it when he grows up but we will, and he remembers it now, plus it's not all about him! We have a great time and I'd never want to leave him to go that far away for that long.

I'm due with DC2 in 2 months and we're going to Italy when she's 12 weeks old! I figure I'm going to be tired anyway, I may as well be tired by the Med drinking rose and eating marinated anchovies...

well, what do the expect you to do with him, leave him at home ?
Of course it will be fine, it won’t be the same as a child free holiday, and no he probably won’t remember much about it, won’t appreciate the culture and architecture etc. You will though.
Have a great time.

Of course it isn't BU! The holiday is for you and your DP to relax. Everything is baby focused at this age. Parents need self-care too. And if that is relaxing by the pool whilst baby naps in the shade next to you, who cares.

Also, how is this affecting your parents? Next time they kick off say: "OK, thanks so much for your concern. So when should we drop baby off at yours so we can make our holiday flights? It is so kind of you to volunteer to watch him for the week whilst we relax." And see how much they backpedal.

There is this old mentality that women should just sit around inside with the baby being miserable. Babies are happy when parents are happy. If that means travelling, or bundling up in the jogging pushchair so mum can go for long runs, or feeding through class so mum can finish her course, so be it! It isn't the 1950s anymore. They're portable at this age- take advantage of it.

What a strange thing to say! You’re going on holiday, so of course you take your DS. He’ll have you and your DP with him, doing fun things, relaxing and playing with him. Sounds great! Do they want you to leave him with them?

No way! My 10mo loves going away and has done since he was tiny. He even sleeps better in hotel rooms bizarrely. If we could afford it, DH and I would go away every weekend! Enjoy yourselves!

Our 2nd was 7 months old when we went to Greece. Both he and his 2 year old brother were spoilt rotten when we went out

Nope, ours was well travelled by 8 months. Loved getting out and about and looking at everything in the sunshine. Enjoy the holidays when you can relax by the pool with a snoozing baby rather than having to keep an eagle eye on a toddler!

yes you'll be fine. your parents Abu. I took ds1 on holiday to Majorca when he was 5 month old.

we also have one book again to Majorca this year ds1 will be 3.5 and ds2 will be 14 month.

plenty of sun cream a hat and protective swimming costume they'll be fine :-)

have fun!

They will be feeling it's unfair on them that you're taking him away, but they can't say that straight out!

Fond memories and lovely photos of both of ours on holiday around the same age. Not such hard work as running after a toddler, which we'll have this time around! They're pretty easily entertained (and relatively stationary!) at eight months. Go and enjoy.

Its not unreasonable to take him but you may find that it unsettles him. Still if you don't try you won't know. Ds1 was fine at 8 months, ds2 was really unsettled at 18 months. Wasn't going to sit around at home for years until they could express a preference.

Huh? How are you U taking your baby away with you?

Baby will have fun anyway. Maybe try a lick of ice cream. Dip in the pool. Sit on the sandy beech.

Whaaaat? Yanbu at all. I hate it when people say the kids won’t remember it... so bloody what, me and DH will!!! Going to Florida next (only 1 day at Disney), DSs will be 3 and almost 1. DS1 has been to a fair few countries already and of course he doesn’t give a fig. We all had fun though! Do it OP.

Of course yanbu, are they angling for you to leave him with them instead? I doubt your baby would prefer that!

I've taken my 18 month old on two holidays- Cyprus when she was 6m, New York when she was 11m, plus we've got Lanzarote booked for next month. She LOVES it.

As for getting nothing from it, that's bollocks. Her first bite of food was octopus she stole off my plate, and she ate her way across Cyprus. She still loves Greek food now 😂 We spent hours as a family lounging round the pool and playing with her... She wasn't a big fan of the beach though. In New York she just spent the entire time with her eyes on stilts, Times Square was like a Baby Sensory class on bloody steroids lol, and she loved
crawling round central park and the view at the top of the rock.

In Lanzarote we intend on hiring a car and climbing the volcano, going out on the sea with her on a paddle board, and spending a lot of time with her. Its particularly nice for my husband who works long hours so doesn't get to spend 1 on 1 quality time with her very often, and a good excuse to have a phone detox and really concentrate on her and us.

Some lovely memories so far, to say a little one gains nothing from travel is bollocks- by that reasoning there's very little reason to do anything with kids, surely.

YANBU. Your 8 month old will be with you and will be fine. My niece to her 7 month old son to the USA as her brother getting married. The baby was fine and happy with his parents

Go for it, Yanbu

I think he'd enjoy 24/7 stress free, happy parents and some new experiences like playing in sand/water and having a fuss made of him by strangers. Having said that, he could have the same experience in Devon! But where you choose to go is entirely up to you and of course he should go with you, he's your baby! Ignore your parents.

We took our twins on holiday at five months old. They don’t remember it but we have wonderful memories.

It’s your child.
You’re in charge.
Your parents don’t get a say.