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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you go long haul for one week with a toddler

43 replies

Dinoswearunderpants · 13/06/2023 15:01

Just curious whether you'd bother travelling long haul with a 2 year old for one week.

I took little one to Mexico when he was 8 months old and we struggled with jet lag a bit so said I wouldn't do it again however temptation is getting the better of me.

He's great on the plane so I'm not too concerned about that but just wondered if you'd go, given the opportunity.

YANBU - yes you'd go.
YABU - No you wouldn't go.

OP posts:
YouveGotAFastCar · 13/06/2023 16:25

I wouldn’t be worried about taking my toddler long haul; but he’s a good traveller.

I’m not sure I’d take him for a week; but realistically, I probably would if that was all I could fit in - and I know plenty of people who do, and it’s fine.

ouse · 13/06/2023 16:31

Letsdance8188 · 13/06/2023 16:01

I wouldn't go on any holiday anywhere with a 2 year old. It would have been hell.

I have a two year old and this is how I feel. We’re sticking to Center Parcs and cruises from Southampton, both of which are low stress and nice holidays with a little person who doesn’t want to be trapped in their seat for hours.

Cyclebabble · 13/06/2023 16:35

depends on the toddler. Both of our DC travelled long haul from an early age- my family is overseas and it would have been difficult not to. They were fine. Settled easily, loved all the games and played happily. Others absolutely would not have done this.

TakeMe2Insanity · 13/06/2023 19:24

Dinoswearunderpants · 13/06/2023 16:19

For context, we travel often and I appreciate being away with toddlers is different but we have zero issues there.

It was more the jetlag question that I had.

We used to travel a lot and when we had DC we didn’t feel the need to slow down. Yes we had to take dc needs into account. We always tried to break up the flights so rather than a few hours in eg the ME we tried to spend a couple of days so dc could get used to a different time zone and climate. Then get to far east destination. Obviously in these situations jet lag hit on return but by then your back to your normal life and routine kicks in. Tbh it was only covid that slowed us down, followed by a major bereavement so we’ve not been able to travel as much. I’d definitely go for it. As for those saying that toddlers get nothing out of it, a lot comes down to your experience if your enjoying they tend to enjoy.

LlynTegid · 13/06/2023 19:25

Not unless it was to visit someone who could not travel to you, such as someone elderly or seriously ill.

crumpet · 13/06/2023 19:26

I had just got my toddler to sleep through the night and then we went to Australia. I don’t think he slept properly through the night for several years after that!

Obsidianrocks · 13/06/2023 19:28

Depends on the child. One of mine loves sleep and adjusts quickly, the other (9 years old) resists sleep at the best of times and it takes days to get him adjusted to time differences.

PoppedNotFried · 13/06/2023 19:31

No, solely on the basis that anything Mexico has to offer that a toddler would be interested in, I can get the same short-haul.

BishyBarnyBee · 13/06/2023 19:35

Just curious, does the environmental impact come into your calculation at all?

It seems so needlessly wasteful to incur all that environmental damage for just a few days.

Surely you could find something equally enjoyable nearer to home?

jellyminelli · 13/06/2023 20:34

Yeah, mine would've been fine. Both of them together. They're great travellers, always been calm kids and good sleepers.

Ylvamoon · 13/06/2023 20:40

I wouldn't do long haul- fullstop!

Done it once (without DC) never again! There are so many amazing places within Europe that can offer a similar experience.

cadburyegg · 13/06/2023 20:41

My kids are 5 and 8 and I still wouldn't do it!

NextTimeItsOver · 13/06/2023 20:44

I don't think I would. Not for a week. I wouldn't be too worried about your toddler but I'd be worried about my own tiredness combined with having a toddler. The direction of travel would make a big difference.

I find flying East much harder with jet lag than flying west. Long haul to Countries that are not too many hours time difference such as Dubai and South Africa aren't an issue at all.
Mexico is 7 hours time difference so not terrible.

Moraxella · 13/06/2023 20:45

The jet lag the week after for them (if you need to go to work) would put me off but you might be able to get kids melatonin in mexico

Aitchoo · 13/06/2023 20:56

For one week it's not worth the jet lag for myself let alone a toddler. I'd stick closer to home just to make it easier all round.

Original poster
Dinoswearunderpants · 14/06/2023 11:26

TakeMe2Insanity · 13/06/2023 19:24

We used to travel a lot and when we had DC we didn’t feel the need to slow down. Yes we had to take dc needs into account. We always tried to break up the flights so rather than a few hours in eg the ME we tried to spend a couple of days so dc could get used to a different time zone and climate. Then get to far east destination. Obviously in these situations jet lag hit on return but by then your back to your normal life and routine kicks in. Tbh it was only covid that slowed us down, followed by a major bereavement so we’ve not been able to travel as much. I’d definitely go for it. As for those saying that toddlers get nothing out of it, a lot comes down to your experience if your enjoying they tend to enjoy.

Show quote history

Thank you. Sounds very similar to us.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dinoswearunderpants · 14/06/2023 11:28

BishyBarnyBee · 13/06/2023 19:35

Just curious, does the environmental impact come into your calculation at all?

It seems so needlessly wasteful to incur all that environmental damage for just a few days.

Surely you could find something equally enjoyable nearer to home?

No it doesn't at all. My life is for living and I'm not getting into an environmental climate change argument. I do things to offset and I'm happy with that.

That flight is going to depart, regardless whether we're on it or not.

OP posts:
TheMurderousGoose · 14/06/2023 11:29

For a longer spell - yes

For just a week - nah

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