New York with a toddler - am I crazy?!

[AngryGnome]

DS is 18 months old. I've always had a hankering to go to new York, and this could be our last chance to do it for a while- once ds hits two and we have to start paying for his plane seats etc it will become too expensive.

DH and I are in a complete dilemma as to whether or not we should go from it. We're planning 4 or 5 nights in a hotel next to central park. I think new York itself will be fab- but flight could be hell! Also, (and am probably being PFB) but are there any health risks regarding toddler ears when taking off/landing?

Any advice appreciated!

We took ds just before he turned two. He watched the inflight DVD the whole flight!

It was great. It's a 24 hr city so you don't have to worry about finding food etc. there is loads for kids and adults to do.

Go for it!

Done it twice with toddlers - DS1 when he was just under 2 for a family wedding and when DS2 was just over 2. Both times it was fine and they loved it. Just make sure they drink from a sippy cup/have chewy fruit for take off and landing. DS2 loved ToysRUS in Times Square (there's a big wheel you can ride on in there) and the many playgrounds and zoo in Central Park. DS1 was pretty chilled and dozed in his buggy after lunch so we took that as a good time to visit the Met/other museums for our dose of adult culture

Ok, that gives me some confidence, thanks sleepy eyed! The DVD could be a life saver - am considering borrowing friends DVD player and stocking up on 8 hours (gulp!) or peppy pig and roary the racing car. Oh yes, we will be the most popular people on the flight!

Any particular sights you'd recommend, or warn against?!

Peppy? FFA, peppa, obvs!

Thanks dinky. Maybe I will unwrap poor PFB from his cotton wool just long enough to leap on the plane :o

We went to fao schwarz, central park zoo, fire department museum, museum with the dinosaur skeleton (on the tip of my tongue!), the bridge (I can't remember the name either!)

I've heard the sky prk is good (park on old railway). My memory isn't doing too well tonight so hopefully someone more helpful will appear!

I was worried before going with DS1 too - but it really was fine (well apart from DS1 puking on DH at the airport when we landed - top tip, pack change of clothes for ALL of you in hand luggage). Take a sling for DS too as the waits/queues in immigration are a killer otherwise. Statten Island Ferry is a nice thing to do - DS1 enjoyed that when we went the first time.

There's a fire department museum? DS would love that! I fancy moma and Guggenheim etc, but not sure ds will be a huge fan - think we'll have to get our culture in short nap-length bursts! Bit worried about him crying at night in the hotel and being the evil pariah guests. His sleep is a bit dodgy at the best of times, and am worried that jet lag might send it haywire.

I think I am feeling a bit guilty that this is a holiday for us, rather than ds, IYSWIM. I'm over thinking aren't I?

Ah, the immigration queues - last time we went to the states it was hours. I had forgotten about that. Sigh. Oh god, just thought, me and DS have different surnames. Aargh! Will have to send him through with dh won't I?

Are you married? Of so you go as a family

It will be fine! Just be at the front of the plane when the doors open!!

Fd museum is small but ds loved it and wanted to go back every day. They have a room dedicated to 9/11 which is very moving

We went up the empire state building too

I have a different surname to all 3 of my menfolk - we still went through as a family each time!

Yes, we are married but I kept my name for work so my passport still has my surname in it. Yes, should be fine then. Just had images of burly security asking menacing questions whilst ds tries to pull down my top/cover me in yoghurt etc etc.

also, his only word at the moment is 'no', so am imagining horrendous 'son, is this woman your mom?' scenario, where ds chuckles delightedly and shouts 'NoNoNoNo' before head butting me!

Rethink coming up!

Just take the birth certificate (or a copy of it) with you if you're worried - as am indian and my boys look like their v english dad I take it with me each time we travel - just in case! - but have never had to produce it.

And when they are 18 months, the holidays are for the parents, not the kid - he will however love it. And do go to Central Park zoo - its excellent for little ones and he'll love it (go to the children's zoo opposite - he'll adore petting the animals) - Met is by the park so when he goes to sleep you can get your culture dose.

No chance you could leave him with grandparents while you go? Or do you actually want to take him too?

One thing I'd say is that hotel rooms in NY tend to be VERY small - it may be worth going for a suite hotel (there are some good ones in central NY) or one which feels abit more like an apartment hotel.

Crazy! We did it with dd aged 19m and then 2.5. Flight was ok ish. Jet lag was horrendous. However at 5m, a breeze.

Do it. Cities are an actually turn out to be great holidays with little ones. So much to see and do. We have just returned from hong kong with a 4 year old and a 9 month old. I think the key is to be flexible with your plans each day and fit in with how your child is. Also take plenty of breaks for snacks, coffee etc. and be prepared to stop at all play parks.
We kept the children up slightly later and went to bed earlier than usual ourselves, so that we had a good nights sleep and were all ready to go out sharp in the mornings before it got too hot and busy.

The hotel room I stayed in wasn't small nor horrendously over-priced, plus had breakfast included in the price (la quinta manhattan if anyone's interested)

New York is a wondeful place OP, you'll have a fantatsic time - enjoy

Just showed dh this thread, and he still seems keen to go!

The zoo sounds great, I think he would love that. My only real concern now is the flight and potential jet lag. Ds sleep is pretty shoddy - but on the other hand I think bugger it, a few sleepless nights when we get back could well be worth it.

That's all well and good for returning, but what about jet lag on way out? ! Dd woke at 2am. For. The. Day. I have hilarious (now) film of her wide awake and playing with toys, wanting to go do stuff while Dh was groaning next to me hardly able to utter words in the middle of the night.

Oh god Pavlov, don't say that! Have been up since 00.50 myself after ds decided that last night wasn't a sleeping night chez gnome, so I know only too well the horrors of wide awake child! Actually, maybe that is what is addling my thinking about this holiday....:o

Sorry! I won't say then that it took 5 days for her to adjust. Second time was not such a huge prob as we were going on to another part of USA and there, in USA (2 time zones) for 4 weeks. But the first time we were there for 7 days.

So if you do it, do it for longer than one week. Or else you might see a lot of central park at night time .

We have been invited to visit again, but now have 2.5 yo ds who sleeps badly. No. Way. Dd would be ok I think now aged 6.

Hmmm, I have been wondering if going for longer would be better- give all three of us a chance to get over the jet lag!

I should just stop being a whiny cow and remember I am lucky to be having a holiday at all!