Holidays with / without babies

[emmac3616]

Hi there, my husband and I have a 4 month old baby and have just booked flights to the Caribbean for a holiday next April, so a year from now when our DS will be 16mths. It is for 6 nights and we are trying to decide whether or not to take him with us. We don't need to decide yet but do need to decide before we book the hotel as we'll end up in a very different type of place if we bring him (!). We have lots of European holidays planned with him before then and I am very happy about that BUT I was kind of hoping to have a romantic break with just my husband. Our DS is very happy with my parents and will be seeing them every week for at least 1 or 2 nights from now on, so should be OK staying with them BUT I feel a bit bad about the thought of leaving him. I was wondering what everyone else thought or has done? As I say we haven't decided either way so would appreciate your thoughts!

My friend did it and loved their romantic time away :)

Let him have a break with his grandparents - not many babies would really 'enjoy' a Caribbean holiday.

Think about why you say you feel 'bad' about leaving him, is it because you will genuinely miss him or because you feel you 'should' take your child on holiday with you and other people will try and guilt trip you?

Me and my dh try and have one holiday a year without the children sometimes a week sometimes just 4 days and I never feel guilty about it, we need time to be grown ups and to be honest to have a break from being parents!

Don't feel bad if it's what you want go for it! Also the I wouldn't fancy the Caribbean with a baby that age because of the time difference it imagine it would really mess with his routine. Hope you have a fabulous time :)

Have a romantic time, Tis a long way with a child.

Thank you all - VERY helpful! I have to say - I think if I'm honest I only feel bad because other people re so judgemental about this type of thing. DS is so good with my parents and will be so used to spending time with them without us by then that I'm sure it will be fine. Plus, as you say, it's a long way and he would need more vaccines etc. I really appreciate the comments - thank you so much!

Watching with interest - my husband and I are off to the other side of the world for a wedding in about 3 weeks, and leaving my 17mo with my parents for just over 2 weeks. I have got quite a mixed reaction from people - most people say 'Gosh, how amazing, I don't think I could do that!' But to be fair, the trip (and the wedding itself) would be a lot of hard work if we took our daughter. My parents cannot wait to have her for that time, and it's such a short period really.

We travelled for about 8 weeks with her when he was 9-11 months and it was a perfect time to travel. Now, not so much - she's more active, more vocal, more easily bored and gets frustrated by things she can't interfere with. (Still lovely though!) If I were you I'd go alone and enjoy your relaxation time!

Enjoy child free time - am totally jealous