To be thinking about this 7 MONTHS in advance

[TheSheepofWallSt]

Lone parent to a 3 year old (+ 5 months).

Have just booked first holiday abroad for the two of us. Am a seasoned solo traveller (gap year, lots of travel over the years to Africa, eg Morocco, Senegal, Cape Verde (not packages) less affluent bits of Europe, as well as fancy city breaks all over the world.
But that was before.

Where I used to decide to travel on a Friday and fly on a Saturday, now I find that 7 MONTHS in advance, I’m really mulling whether or not to take a bloody buggy for a week in Cala Bona.
Like really ruminating.

I know DS will be turning 4. I know it’s not strictly necessary - or at all necessary really- but if I don’t take it, I know I’ll be ruling out evening walks or dinners later than 6.

I don’t want to be out all night, and of course I want him in bed at a reasonable hour, but I would like to be able to eat at say, 7.30, and know DS can doze off after pudding if he wants to, rather than have an overtired tantrum all the way back to the villa. I could even have a glass of wine then!
I might want to take a stroll for a couple of miles along the promenade at 9 o clock, and take some time to just BE-and I know it’s unlikely DS will be able to cope with that without a buggy.

It’s two AIBU really-
AIBU to be agonising over such a nothing, so far in advance?
And AIBU to think I’ll use a buggy for a (just) 4 year old?!

AIBU to think I’ll use a buggy for a (just) 4 year old?!

I did. Regularly. But then I didn't have a car or a bike trailer.

@preponderings

Also no car here - partly why I’m not sure about buggy stuff... I still feel like we need it?

Definitely not being unfair .
I’d take a pushchair for the evenings especially if it’s a hot place as it can be draining and we’ve started to book holidays over a year in advance in some cases (mostly Disneyworld )
I like to have a plan though and gives us something to look forward to

I took a collapsible stroller to Disneyland for DD when she was 5. Well worth it for tired legs, or even just dumping the bags in! (Obvs removed the DD first!)

"I still feel like we need it?" - well, there you go; that's your answer. And you don't need to justify it to anyone else (in case you're thinking 'what will others think of me?')

TAKE IT.

I didn't. I should have. Don't be me.

Definitely take it, my 4 year old spent a lot of time in ours on holiday last year. The baby had to go in the sling and I wished we’d taken a double.

Take a buggy or you are going to be restricted by the distance he can walk and tiredness.

If, unfortunately he does get a dodgy stomach or ear infection etc, you can still get out and about.

Use it as a walking aid, so you can get tipsy (joking).

Why wouldn’t you? Some vague feeling about him being too old or people judging you?

It’s practical, you and he would enjoy it. Why not,

People are weird about push chairs- someone told my 18 month old he was too old for it and should be walking once (we were on our way back from a farm where he had been toddling around in wellies for several hours previously so he was understandably knackered). Bizarre and best ignored.

My son is three and will be four in August he will be in a buggy at festivals this year and next. He needs to sleep about 8.00 and I dont want to be stuck in a tent. Buy one. Crack on. Enjoy yourselves.

Oh my gosh yes! Definitely take it!! Why on Earth wouldn't you?

And stop worrying about it all! Try and get excited instead! You'll have a blast!

Cala bone is gorgeous. I'd bring one if it was me. Theres quite a long walk down into cala millor.

My 5 year old fell asleep In her buggy last year nearly every night. We never use it at home but I know on holidays the heat of the sun and active swimming / playing all day exhausts her. Def take it. Worst case scenario you don’t use it.

Def take it. For all the reasons you have given.

100% take it..things are different on holiday: routines out of place, often much hotter (if travelling to a hot country!) Swimming, beach etc.. it is exhausting for them and if you're anything like me, you'll be much happier having a drink or 2 surrounded by other people while he sleeps in the buggy rather than being stuck in a hotel room. Enjoy!

Buggies are great

So useful in airports, and when the kids get over-tired.

Take one.

Yes do it. Even if it’s just to fast track through airport security. I’m contemplating one for my 5yo for that purpose alone!

Yanbu on either count.

For the first question, being on holiday with kids is completely different from going off somewhere on your own. So you have to consider in advance what will work for them. And when you're a single parent there isn't anyone else to share the mental load so you do all the planning. Plus if you haven't been anywhere abroad together before then it absolutely is a big exciting deal and nice to think about and look forward to.

For the second question, the only impact of taking the buggy is making arrangements to get it from your home to the destination, and that involves minimal effort from you and then it's there. So if you want it, it's there, and if you don't well you can just leave it in your room. So yes absolutely decide to take it, tick that decision on your mental list and get on with researching nice wee trips and activities etc. And enjoy your holiday!

I’m like that. I plan holidays soooooo far ahead now I’ve got kids, especially as single parent. Then I annoy DD (11) by going on about them and planning them for months! 😂

Definitely take one. I took one for my nearly 5 year old in Disneyland. Big place, miles of walking.

You are planning for three rather than one, each person's needs are different so no not unreasonable.
Take a pram but also, take me too?

This is one of those scenarios where it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

I’ll be taking four year old (and a couple of months if it makes any difference) dd’s buggy with us for big trips and holidays this year despite not using it routinely since September.

She’s too big and heavy for me just to scoop up and carry any meaningful distance should she decide to throw a shitfit through tiredness and that’s an argument I chose not to have when we’re meant to be enjoying ourselves.

She kind of proved this the other night after a family meal. We got home at her bedtime so not massively late and she was positively charming the whole time we were out but unmasked the demon as soon as we walked through the front door. Tiredness is still a big enough overwhelmer to ruin an outing.

Make sure you dress him in clothes he can sleep in before you go out too so you can transfer him straight into bed. Have fun!

I took a double for my 3mth old and 2yr old. 5yr old spent lots of time in it, in the evenings and baby went into the sling.

Just take it.

If nothing else, it'll save the sitting down protests when it's a million degrees and you know you need to get some shade or when there is only one seat left outside.

Depending on how you're getting back from the airport, it'll be really useful on the return as well.

Parents showed up occasionally with buggies throughout Nursery class at picking up time and the afternoon kids' little faces lit up as they realised they didn't have to walk all the way home on Friday afternoons - add lots of heat and lots of playing in sand and sea; you won't regret taking it.

Having children has completely changed me in terms of travel. I’ve become everything I hated at 21! Haha

Just take it no one will bat an eye at him being in it and it will make your life easier