To pack up and go abroad with DD for 3 months in September

[Journeyintomelody]

Before I had DD I acted on all of my whims and crazy ideas without hesitation but I'm really not sure about this one. I was thinking of NZ or Cyprus for 3 months before I go back to work. DD would be 18 months. I don't feel like I have anything holding us back. The only thing I can think of is that it might be unfair to take DD away from her grandad who she has grown up with. Have you or would you do this? Any recommendations of places to go? 🤞

Be honest in the comments. Should I keep this as a dream or could it be workable?

YABU- better to give DD stability and keep her in the area she is familiar with
YANBU- go on adventure, its your last chance to do this for a long time.

Oh how disappointing! That is really unlucky. Hopefully you'll get to go on long haul adventure when them at some point in the future. It would be different but equally if not more special 😊

Some people seem really entitled to information on Mumsnet, when they have no right to it. If the OP doesn't think it's relevant, then perhaps STFU on the subject. It's certainly not relevant to anyone else.

Thank you! I was really asking a specific question about travelling with a baby/toddler and I feel like a lot of people are more interested in my finances and 'the father' 🤦

Fyi. Two months rental in Cyprus is roughly equal to 2 weeks rent so definitely possible. Might even save some money!

In terms of specifics re travelling - I did find longhaul travel with children of this age quite difficult. They don't get their own seat but are too big to hang out in the baby seats provided for too long, they do want to crawl and move around etc. It's not a train smash, just something to consider. Our flight to SA when DD was 18 months was a nightmare - thank god she passed out a few hours in and slept the rest of the way although I'm not certain my leg has ever recovered! eg, if you go to new zealand and you're doing it for 3 months, perhaps take 2 or 3 slightly shorter flights to get there. That has some hassles and extra challenges, but might be easier than 24 hours more or less stuck on one seat.

I'd recommend Cape Verde Islands. Regular flights from UK, quite diverse, beautiful beaches along with huge nature areas.

New Zealand is very expensive

Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Borneo & Indonesia are much chesper

Investigate the visa requirements before travelling

Buy travel insurance

Check health vaccinations before travel

Oh god, do it !
I wish I had done while on mat leave with mine but didn’t feel physically strong enough to travel alone with baby

I would do it. It’s an amazing opportunity to do something that you want to do before work and school stop it happening. I wish I’d had the confidence to do it when mine were small. I think 18 months is a perfect time for travel. Traveling with a little one in nappies so so much easier than a young child and toilet training
i I haven’t flown a lot with my children. But haven’t taken a lot of trains. I found a taking sling as well as a pushchair very handy. And travel a light as possible. Wrangling a toddler and heavy luggage isnt easy

Really great ideas! Thanks. I'm thinking now about holding off on NZ until she is older and exploring somewhere cheaper!

Sounds like you're living the dream, OP! Enough money to live on for 3 months on holiday and no worries about job or money situation when you get back. Why would you NOT do it?!

Go book it and have an amazing time! Very jealous!

Do it

Definitely do it. It is only a few months, your dad will manage without seeing her for that long.

Absolutely do it. My DD and I have been mostly away while it's still possible before I return to work. 3 months is a short time in a bigger picture and she can continue bonding with her grandad via facetime.

I'd do it but I'd do Thailand if it were me! ☺️

Do it -she won't remember it when she's older but it will be a great bonding experience. 3 months is not that long she won't forget her grandad and you can FaceTime

Also I e flown long haul on my own with two small kids and it's fine - the staff really helped me out. Lots of snacks and a carry on bag of little toys - I allowed one new thing per hour of the flight - mini play doh etc.

Sorry for multi posts but just check out the health insurance angle, you want to be well covered

How fucking nosy. Give it a rest.

Honestly - the people on this thread who think they need your life story before offering an opinion!

I did Australia for 2 months with a one and 4 year old. I did have dh with me though! We lived in a camper van most of the time interspersed with nice hotels for a break.

It was amazing and we have lovely memories from that time. The dcs were really good on the plane and the air stewardesses were lovely and very helpful.

I took my 2 DC to Southeast Asia for a couple of months before they were compulsory school age. I'm a single parent too, everyone said I was mental. It was the best thing I've ever done.

I would choose a country where the population in general loves babies - and somewhere with good medical as your child is quite young. If English you do get reciprocal medical rights in Australia.

Definitely do it, it would be an amazing adventure! Somewhere like New Zealand would have a great healthcare system. That would be a concern for me when choosing somewhere to travel with a small child.

We packed up and left for a year with our two in a bit of a whim tok them to thailand. We travel a lot. We met lots of families doing similar in our travels. Go for it. I recommend finding places to stay that have lots to do for that age, and finding accomodation that is safe and easy for that age. You don't want to be stressed, you want it to be enjoyable. Think about if there are creches, childcare in the hotel or nearby or indoor play areas nearby as if its a hot place you will want respite for the little one from the heat. What room size are you happy in as well, I always need a living room when staying in hotels/apartments etc with my kids as I dont want to be stuck in one room while they sleep at 8pm for example. Medical care is great in thailand, there are loads of facebook groups for families there for meet ups and advice. Pool and water safety was my main concern tbh.

Also, a bit different but I did a mother and baby holiday in europe when I was on mat leave. It was in a huge shared villa complex with all other mums and they had childcare in the mornings while the mums had all lovely breakfasts and did yoga. Then afternoons were activitied and day trips. Have a google as there might be some similar trips as it was good to have the support of other mums, childcare on hand and it was so chilled and female centric. Editing my post as I just did a search to see what was there, if you google mother and baby yoga camp thailand for example loads come up, you dont have to be into yoga just if you like the idea of it, ai would probably start the three months with something like that as it will ease you in, give you some support and meet people and acclimatisation and then go from there.

Thanks for all the responses and ideas! Glad to know I'm not being completely crazy!
I've decided not NZ (saving that one for when DDs older). My plan is to start with a couple of shorter trips (The Hague for a 4 or 5 days and then Croatia for 10 days in the spring). Then go in September/October for a long haul. I'm now looking at Thailand/Cambodia/Vietnam.

My biggest worries are transfers!! How to navigate car seats and public transport is the big one. For those who went to Thailand, did you take a pushchair or baby carrier? I'm not sure how I'm going to manage with a baby and luggage. It's just logistics. The other fear is of course water safety.

The more I think about it, the more I realise I need to do this.