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?

Holidays are great. Bit of extra stuff but we went when ds was 6mo, 13mo and will again in June at 18 mo. Beach, swimming, ice creams... He loves it! And it’s easier and less hassle for us to get to Spain than Devon and we have the weather!

Took my 7mo daughter to Tuscany with the in laws - at their insistence! They’d taken their babies to Israel and Italy, and the such like 30years ago.

This time round, my husband had some inheritance burning a whole in his pocket - and we went to Mauritius with a 5yo and an 8mo. It is likely the only time I’ll be able to take more than 7 days off work, so made the most of it. I hesitated, the flight itself seemed huge (2 planes, 6 & 7hours), so my husband booked it and told me afterwards! I got palpitations just thinking of it for months, but we’re just back and it was fab. With a bit of planning, it was lovely. We stayed under cover and weren’t as adventurous as we used to be! My son coped admirably with the plane and slept amazing while we were away including naps! I hope you have a lovely holiday.

Great post Tartamazeballs, particularly your last sentence, spot on

I don't get why you wouldn't take your DS on holiday, where would he be otherwise. My DS was 7/8 months when we took him on his first holiday abroad and I wouldn't have it any other way

Of course he will gain from it! He will gain from having his parent (s) undivided attention when they are happy and relaxed -- mot suggesting you ignore your child the rest of the time OP, but obviously sometimes life gets in the way of just relaxing and doing small, simple things like sitting on the sand and splashing water.

Huh? They are being bonkers! Of course he's not going to understand but I'm willing to bet you didn't book the holiday solely for his benefit! It's a totally normal thing to bring your children on holiday, stranger to leave them behind, unless it's a honeymoon or something.

I've never heard anything so silly! So you either don't holiday until your child/children can get something out of it or you leave them at home? Riiiiight.

We went on holiday last year, abroad, beach holiday we had an 18 month old and 5 week old (we didn't fly). Do our children remember it? Hmm no. Do we? Yes. Did we have a jolly nice time? Yes.

I think your parent's are being ridiculous, hope you have a lovely time!

Unfair? In what way? What an odd thing to say!

Have a lovely holiday!

Are you sure your parents aren't saying that just because they'd like to have DS to themselves when you're away?

We took our LO to Mexico (8h flight) when he was 8mo and he loved it and it was wonderful and sunny and we had a brilliant time. Flight back was a bit of a nightmare due to nappy rash but I'd go back again tomorrow.

We went on holiday when my son was 18 months old to an apartment in Spain. It was an utter disaster. It was way too hot for the time of year, all the play areas were metal so too hot to use, the pool was too cold so he could only spend 10 minutes at a time in it, he refused to eat anything and lost 4lbs in weight. The only time he smiled was on the beach. Couldn't wait to go home. Last year we went to Tenerife all inclusive with my parents and he had a ball. We are doing the same this year.

I think someone wants a week with their grandchild and is trying to make you feel bad so you will do it.

He will be fine on holiday, just protect from the sun. Took my son at a similar age to Maderia and he loved it, I can remember him being amazed by all the Christmas lights and the different scenery and non stop smiling.

Took DD to Malta when she was 6 months old, and to Croatia when she was 1 - great holidays, just watch the pool, that's all.

Are your parents always so ridiculous?

We took ours to the USA when they were a good bit younger than that.

They slept on the flights in the sky cot at the bulkhead.

They splashed about in our pool until they were pooped, and loved being on the beach. They were so tired in the evenings we could go out for meals with them asleep in the buggy.

I'm going to Croatia next month and I'm taking my 8 month old with me. How funny!

Blimey, easiest holiday we've ever had was taking DD to Spain at 8 months. Play, swim, cuddle, sleep - rinse and repeat all day. We didn't do ambitious day trips but certainly walked her for miles along the prom in the buggy. Fed her early, into buggy in PJs and walked her to sleep before we went into dinner. That was the one bit that failed; she resolutely woke up every time and sat there cooing at the waiters all night. Our dinner sat in the kitchen as the waiters fussed over DD .

We took Dd on a cruise at 6 months, she loved it, was spoilt rotten by the crew and we all had a fab time. I did pay for an extra suitcase, massively over packed and even took the perfect prep machine with me - couldn't have gone smoother.

Dd's second holiday was another cruise at 15 months for 2 weeks. Again we had an amazing time and she learnt to run from one end of the ship to the other by the time we left. She ate everything put in front of her and again the crew loved her.

Holidays are different to what we did before but to say DC get nothing out of them is crazy. They get quality time with parents, relaxed parents and get to see different sights!

YANBU!

We took our then 16 week old DD On honeymoon with us to Mauritius & Dubai and then Majorca when she was 6 months, Switzerland at 1 and Croatia!

She's our daughter & comes with us! Simple!

Mil was very incensed that she was coming and all I got was "she'll stay with me! No way is she going!"

Erm?! Do one love!

Go & enjoy make memories!

YANBU I don't understand that attitude. There will be non working adults to care for him who are relaxed and on holiday . You can share the load. He is young enough to be portable and require almost no equipment but old enough that you will feel confident looking after him and meeting his needs.
I love holidays( obvs) but by enjoyment is seriously impaired by the whole family not being there.

Took my.6.month old to nz and he also does regular short flights. It really will be good for him

YANBU. they're nuts. Go have a lovely holiday!

YANBU at all, are they just angling to have baby to themselves while you go away?

DS was 5 months when we took him for his first holiday. So much easier then when they start walking, plus he napped frequently so DH and I were able to enjoy meals while he slept.

Their logic is bizarre.

I'm another one who thinks your parents want to have their DGS with them for a week and that's why they're saying that you shouldn't take him with you. I think taking him on holiday is a fab idea. You and your DH will remember, it doesn't matter that your DS won't.

My DS is 15 months and has been on 4 holidays so far 5th planned for July and first time he went he was only 9 weeks old!! 9 weeks on a 2.5 hour flight and 2 hours the other side in the car but He was fine and he loved every minute of each one of them! As Pp have said make sure he's protected against the sun if you're out and about etc but have fun!!

I took mine away to France at 10 weeks, Crete at 13 weeks, Lanzarote at 7 months and France again at 10 months!

The France trips were a ferry and then 2 day car drive each way, and Crete/Lanzarote were both 4 hour flights. The ferry and car were totally fine. The flight at 7 months was a little challenging as it was just the two of us on the way out there, but people were really helpful and it was nowhere near as difficult as I'd thought it would be.

All holidays were great. 100% would recommend. He might not remember the trips, but I'll never forget them and look forward to taking him back to the same places when he is old enough!