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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To take one year old to New York

127 replies

CleverQuacks · 14/03/2021 16:38

For a minute imagine Covid isn’t an issue. I have always loved travelling and have a list of destinations I want to see as long as my arm. Covid has made me realise that life is short so i have decided I want to see one new place every year.

New York is top of the list so I am considering booking for next year. The problem is, I have a baby who will be 15 months old. I am a single mum with no dad involved so I don’t have anyone who would look after him. I think I would be fine taking him with me. It would be an adventure. But my mum and sister say I am crazy.

The reality is I don’t want to wait til he is 18 and independent before I see the world so we are going to have to get used to travelling together.

I don’t drink alcohol and not into partying. I mainly want to see the shops and various museums and landmarks. Also eat American food!

Am I crazy?

OP posts:

nevernotstruggling · 14/03/2021 17:12

You can....but you will be knackered. I dunno really though if want you want to see if museums and shops etc then they are very buggy friendly. If you had said younger it would be easier. 15 months will be walking and wanting to play and run around and you can do they anywhere.....

If you just I would book a nice hotel that you can eat in most nights or is very close to restaurants and have dinner early. NYC is a bit hairy at night like central london.

jellyfrizz · 14/03/2021 17:13

What's the worst that can happen? You'll be fine. Have fun!

boymum9 · 14/03/2021 17:13

We took our 1 year old to New York a couple times (from uk) and had a really wonderful time, it was great, also city breaks to Chicago and Nashville, all were great and easy. We went to New York again with our next when he was just under one and older one was 3 and that was more of a pain and much less enjoyable!!

partyatthepalace · 14/03/2021 17:14

Not crazy.... but there is so much in Ny you might be annoyed to be slowed down with him. Maybe start somewhere smaller eg Rome, Copenhagen for practice. If you do go to NY make it autumn or spring for weather.

cakebythepound1234 · 14/03/2021 17:17

We were invited to a wedding a few yrs ago just outside of New York which we all went to and we visited New York for a day during that trip with our 10 month old (at that time). Firstly - the flight was a bit of a nightmare! He wasn't noisy and didn't scream thankfully, he was in a very happy mood but he had just learned how to crawl. So he didn't want to sit still on our laps or have cuddles, he just wanted to be on the floor of the plane crawling around which was not ideal! So just keep in mind that you'll have to work hard for the entire flight to keep them safe and out of passengers and hostesses way.
The subway was also difficult with a buggy - the nyc subway is really not designed for anything with wheels, and generally people are busy, rude and unlikely to give you a hand. But otherwise, we had a great time and took our son on the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and walked around the south of Manhattan with no problems. Just ensure that of you want to use the subway you have an alternative to a buggy, and look at evening/ night flight times where you might be able to have your baby sleep on you. There is loads to do for kids in NYC but you need to be prepared!

Welikebeingcosy · 14/03/2021 17:24

I think it would be exhausting and unenjoyable because of the tiredness. Especially if you dont get to sleep on the plane and then you're stuck there with no one to watch baby whilst you catch up on sleep. Unless you are well off and can afford to pay for someone to go with you to share the childcare. To put it into context would you enjoy a city break in the uk with a 15 month old? Because it would be the same experience just a different backdrop. I would say it's better to look for family friendly travel places with a creche or like a foreign family commune that welcomes travellers who would help you enjoy your travels more. Doesnt mean you cant travel I just dont think all that exhaustion would be a good mix with New York. To put it into context I flew with dad at 11 weeks from miami where I lived to the uk and that was a baby who slept through - it tooks me weeks and weeks to feel okay again from the exhaustion of travelling that far alone with a baby. People wont open doors for you with the stroller in New York either.

Welikebeingcosy · 14/03/2021 17:25

Dd not dad

Longdistance · 14/03/2021 17:25

I travelled back from Oz to the Uk on my own with dd1 not quite 3 and dd2 around 13mo. Stopped off in Singapore for 3 hours to stretch our legs and move around to get onto next flight.
Try booking a night flight for the return. When it was the three of us I booked an extra seat so my dd was only on my lap for take off/landing and turbulence.
Make sure your dc is portable ie; don't take everything with you and if you need baby milk you can pick it up in Boots at the airport (this you can pre order, same with nappies).
Go for it!

seadreams · 14/03/2021 17:26

I wouldn't be too worried about the flight. My family used to go visit my grandparents ever year in Singapore, so a VERY long flight away. My dad would always have to come back several weeks earlier than the rest of us so my mum would do the 18 hour journey by herself with 2 or 3 kids all under 6. Its tough but definitely doable!

GreyhoundG1rl · 14/03/2021 17:29

I think your 15 month old's idea of a fun adventure will be radically different to yours.
Museums and eating out probably won't feature.

Figgygal · 14/03/2021 17:31

Seems completely inconsiderate to your child who will get no benefit from it
I’ve been to NY it’s an amazing city you won’t get the full experience with a little one in tow you just won’t

Welikebeingcosy · 14/03/2021 17:33

Wouldn't your mum or sis watch him for a long weekend?

Lweji · 14/03/2021 17:34

At that age I'd take him to a quieter and less distant place.

He will probably enjoy it when he's 10 or thereabouts. That's when I travelled the most with my son. Then he hit the teenage years and refuses to go anywhere. At 16, he's quite happy to stay at home alone (family lives close by).

DipSwimSwoosh · 14/03/2021 17:55

We took an 18 month old in 2019. She was brilliant but we had awful flight times and were so exhausted the whole time. It would have made such a difference to not be so tired so think carefully about flight times. It was awesome when she slept in the buggy and we could eat out at night. Also the boat was fun. And there are loads and loads of playparks all over the place.

HermioneWeasley · 14/03/2021 17:58

Isn’t there somewhere without huge jet lag? Somewhere in Europe you’d like to see?

Cindy87 · 14/03/2021 18:03

I wouldn't get on a flight that long with a toddler that young. You'll spend it walking up and down the plane and desperately trying to curtail meltdowns. It would be a nice trip to do with a 5 or 6 year old who would get something out of the experience too and can be entertained on a flight with a tablet, books, colouring etc. I would personally start my adventures closer to home.

SportsBlah · 14/03/2021 18:12

My dc have been all over the world since they were a few months old, I've never had any problems. I think it's wonderful. There's a CVS on nearly every corner in NYY, you'll get anything you need for a baby in there.

Mosschopz · 14/03/2021 18:22

It’s not the same but I took my 6 year old three years ago. We got a hotel with a pool (the Dominick in SoHo) so however boring the day was for her and it never was!) she could come back to her own fun. Massive age difference but that was what we did. She cooed WAY better with jet lag than we did too.

lalafafa · 14/03/2021 18:31

I’d wait until they’re 6-7 then you can both enjoy it.

ShrikeAttack · 14/03/2021 18:31

I don't know OP, I love NY but DH and I always go without the children, I'm not taking them until they're 16. It depends what you want from it, it's a very adult destination and they'd ruin our fun!

(I'm not a monster BTW, my children get plenty of holidays abroad and in the UK).

2ndtimemum2 · 14/03/2021 18:32

I've done it in the past did 30 countries over the last 14 years. I did a long flight with a small child and to be honest I wouldn't do it unless your planning to spend 2 weeks there. The jet lag and the long flight just isn't worth it with a small child. Try countries closer first would be my opinion

2ndtimemum2 · 14/03/2021 18:34

Should mention I did the trips with just my son

Biffbaff · 14/03/2021 18:34

We took an 11 month old to Toronto and Montreal and had an amazing time.

Haters gonna hate. You do you! Xx

sunflowersandbuttercups · 14/03/2021 18:41

How long would you be staying and would your child cope with the jet-lag and the flight?

firstimemamma · 14/03/2021 18:42

I've been to New York for 12 days (before I had ds who is now 2 and a half) and personally I don't think it's a good idea. I think it would be very hard work taking a child to such a big and busy city. Also the child may not cope with the journey well. However it's your choice.

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