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Original poster

Taking DSs, 9 and 7, skiing alone with pregnant

44 replies

Goodluckjonathan76 · 20/11/2017 12:59

I've booked a ski holiday for myself and DSs, 9 and 7, in Feb half term. We have been to the same place several years running so know the area well. Both boys love skiing and want to go again next year. The only issue if that DH (who is the boys step-dad) can't join us. He has his own kids, aged 14 and 12, who will be going away with their mum that week but he is saying that he can't come due to work commitments and that he also feels bad going away without his DSCs. It's also a massive stretch for him financially and unfortunately cannot afford to pay for all six of us. I really didn't want DSs to miss out though so have booked the trip but am now wondering if I will be able to manage both boys when nearly 5 months pregnant. I am a good skiier and the boys are good skiers but they still need help. I also feel a bit weird going away with just the kids but guessing single parents do this all the time. It also looks like DH will struggle to come on holiday with us in future so I should get used to taking the boys alone. Just wondering if other posters would do this or cancel?

OP posts:
Original poster
Goodluckjonathan76 · 20/11/2017 13:00

Just to correct the above. I cannot afford to pay for all 6 of us to go. I can only just afford 4 of us.

OP posts:
mummymeister · 20/11/2017 13:51

personally, I wouldn't have a problem going with the boys on my own but honestly not on a skiing holiday when pregnant. sorry but I would cancel skiing and take them on another sort of holiday.

Evelynismyspyname · 20/11/2017 13:54

I wouldn't ski while 5 months pregnant.

The only way the holiday would work is if they're happy to do full day ski school, and you just watch/ sit in the restaurant.

Holidaying alone with kids that age while pregnant should be very easy, but the choice of skiing is a bit mad in the circumstances.

sooperdooper · 20/11/2017 13:57

I wouldn't go skiing 5 months pregnant, can you do something else instead? Can you change the booking? Taking them away wouldn't bother me but I don't think skiiing is the ideal holiday tbh

PotteringAlong · 20/11/2017 13:59

I think you need to cut your cloth here. Skiing at 5 months pregnant is a crazy idea and if you cannot all afford to go you can't afford it. Go on a cheaper more realistic holiday.

superking · 20/11/2017 14:03

I'm afraid I wouldn't ski at 5 months pregnant and especially not with 2 children who would need some assistance.

Could you book them into lessons? Obviously there'll be a cost attached, but it might make more sense than cancelling the holiday.

Original poster
Goodluckjonathan76 · 20/11/2017 15:35

I was planning to book them into lessons but ski with them for a bit in the afternoon. I CAN afford to pay for a family of 4 but cannot afford to pay for DSCs as well (it's literally another couple of thousand) plus they can't come anyway as they are going on holiday with their mum. The baby is quite well cushioned inside until the latter stages of pregnancy s not sure how dangerous it is TBH. But yes, maybe we do need to re-think or I need to get a friend or maybe my mum to come along. Problem is, I haven't any the harmony or any other tests yet so not sure everything is going to pan out ok with the baby anyway - difficult to make plans with so much up in the air. I did want to take DSs skiing as it will be the last time we will be able to probably for the next few years if we do have a little one.

OP posts:
LoniceraJaponica · 20/11/2017 23:07

Would you even be covered by holiday insurance on a skiing holiday while pregnant? I agree that you need to change your plans.

WillowWeeping · 20/11/2017 23:13

Low key skiing when you're 5mths pregnant is fine if you're a competent skier. The Q is whether your DC will be satisfied with "low key".

I'd be inclined to go and put them in ski lessons in morning and afternoon taked them on a couple of gentle runs

Original poster
Goodluckjonathan76 · 21/11/2017 11:43

Willow, that was my plan. DC will have to be satisfied with low key. I may be able to get DH and/or my ex to come out for a few days anyway so they can do a bit more with them.

Never heard of insurance being invalided because of pregnancy. Will check the policy though.

I would rather not cancel unless I really have to. Will lose money and kids looking forward to going. Even if we don't do that much skiing, it's still lovely to be in the mountains, fresh air, great food etc.

OP posts:
user1475317873 · 21/11/2017 14:31

I will not ski while pregnant. if you still want to go, take them to ski school in the morning and do other things with them in the afternoon but I will not risk it.

Original poster
Goodluckjonathan76 · 21/11/2017 17:49

Thanks user. Might be a good compromise.

OP posts:
LoniceraJaponica · 21/11/2017 22:20

"Never heard of insurance being invalided because of pregnancy"

It isn't due to being pregnant as such, but pregnant and skiing might pose a problem.

sparechange · 21/11/2017 22:30

Will it not depend on how much you are showing by 5 months?

I skied very early on, because the baby was well within my pelvis
But by 5 months, the bump was very much there and out of the pelvis

If nothing else, you might struggle to do up your jacket and salopettes...

For me, the biggest risk of skiing always comes from someone else crashing into me. I know I’m a good skier but I can’t account for someone showing off to their mates by going too fast and losing control.
Modern skis make it so much easier to ski at speeds beyond your ability

Add a boozy lunch to this, and afternoon skiing with young children on crowded home runs isn’t a risk I would want to take

Debby08 · 22/11/2017 14:41

I don't think it's a good idea to go out with your boys on such an activity specially when you are at your most vulnerable. There's always a high health risk when someone's pregnant and you should be very careful.

Helena17 · 22/11/2017 14:49

Be careful! If I were you I would take extra precaution. I don't think it's safe for you to ski much more to assist your boys.

Original poster
Goodluckjonathan76 · 26/11/2017 22:50

Thanks all. All good/helpful comments. Looked into it and cannot cancel train (Eurostar), only change dates, so if we don't go I would lose £1,500. I have also paid a £500 non-refundable deposit on the apartment. So, a lot to lose if I cancel. Will look into whether I can change dates to next year but pretty sure it's not possible. Still in 2 minds. Worried that it won't be entirely safe but still think chances of something happening that would impact the baby are quite low. I will definitely either book them into group lessons every day or a private lesson so they would ski then but I would still have to do some low-key skiing with them. Such a dilemma.

OP posts:
autumncolour · 28/11/2017 19:15

Would it be possible to change your plans a bit? If you could make it to somewhere like Seefeld, then you could enjoy some cross-country trails whilst the boys get their fix of downhill in ski school. Maybe you could introduce them to cross country in the afternoons?

PointeShoesAndTutus · 28/11/2017 19:19

I'm a good skier (qualified ski instructor, spent many of my formative years teaching daily). I discussed skiing with my midwife, to include a proposal I stayed on the blue slopes and just pottered - she was of the 'no way' view - as she rightly pointed out, you just need one moron to crash into you and knock you onto your stomach, and you could potentially have a big problem. I bloody love skiing and we've skied a couple of times a year (at least) for many years, but this year I won't be going. I really would rethink plans to ski yourself. Put the kids in ski school and take a good book.

AppleAndBlackberry · 28/11/2017 19:24

Like a PP said one of the risks of skiing when pregnant is if someone else skis into you. If you get an injury in pregnancy you're restricted on things like what painkillers you can take, having a general anaesthetic etc. If your boys are desperate to go and you can't get your money back then I would either book them into all day lessons or do other activities in the mornings/afternoons.

LoniceraJaponica · 29/11/2017 23:37

Did you not take out holiday insurance at the time of booking your holiday? Surely this would cover you?

Original poster
Goodluckjonathan76 · 30/11/2017 10:16

Yes, I already have insurance but not sure it would cover this. Presumably getting pregnant is a voluntary act, not really unforseen.

I have my midwife appointment on Monday so will ask then. If I do go then I will either have to avoid it or keep it very low key. I hear what everyone says but I still think it's low risk overall.

OP posts:
Frazzled2207 · 30/11/2017 15:32

I went skiing when pg. Not intentionally, got pg just after booking it (as a failure to conceive treat!) and I was 13 weeks. I don't think skiing when pg is inherently dangerous but I will say I didn't particularly enjoy the skiing that year because I was paranoid that someone would crash into me, obviously you can't control that.

EvaParker · 04/12/2017 19:32

OP I think the main issue is that your DH is not prepared to come with you on the holiday. Never mind work issues he doesn't want to leave his DC even though they are away with their mum ( which seems OTT) especially given you are pregnant.

How will this work in the future, he goes one holiday with his DC while you go away with your two plus the baby? If you cannot all afford to go then either review cheaper options or come to a compromise as you cannot never go on holiday together.

If you are close enough to your ex then ask him to come !

mummymeister · 05/12/2017 09:48

OP I hear what you say about being careful but it isn't you that needs to be careful, its everyone else around you. have a look at the number of skiing injuries overall caused by someone else rather than the person falling over and it is surprising.

I don't think it is at all a low risk activity and suggest that you call your insurance company now to see what they will or will not cover. If something happens to you and you get whisked into hospital what about your two youngsters? will your partner drop everything and fly over?

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