Should We Take Our One Year Old to Europe for 10 Days?

I left my daughter for about 10 days when she was 18 months old. If I had it to do over again I would not. It is not as much the fact that I missed her (I did terribly). It is more how it effected her. She could not understand why mommy just disappeared for that long a period of time (10 days if forever at that age) and her father could not explain it to her in a way she could understand either. If I had it to do over again I would not have gone as bringing her was not an option.

No - leave him/her at home. I did the same thing when my first was 1. I missed him but was FINE! I enjoyed it so much more not having him there - I promise it won't ruin your trip. We were also gone 10 days. We just left all 3 of our kids, our youngest being 15 months, and went on a cruise for 8 days. We would see kids/babies on the cruise and it just looked like SO much work. We had a great time without the kids. Your child will be fine without you for a week and he or she will never even remember it! Just do it - don't think about it or stress about it too much and just go enjoy yourself - you'll be SO glad you did it!

Definitely leave the baby at home! Having traveled with 6 month olds, 1 year olds, 2 year olds, and nearly 3 year olds, I can tell you that they don't start getting to an age that you would enjoy traveling with for quite some time. It will definitely hinder your trip if you take him, and he will most likely be miserable being out of his element, not getting the sleep he needs, being in strange places, and having a really hectic tourist schedule. If you're not worried about who you are leaving him with, I recommend going to Europe without him. The memories you make while being footloose and fancy free and able to explore Europe on your own terms will last you a lifetime. Missing your child for a few days is something you both will get over really fast once you're home. You wouldn't want to miss out on this amazing adventure because you would miss him (or because he would miss you). I don't think you'll ever regret not taking him, but I think there is a strong chance you would regret it if you did take him. Good luck with your decision.

-A.

Hi C.,

You might have fun taking your child with you on the trip. Discuss it with the rest of your family who will be in attendance to assure that they don't mind. Also, it is helpful to let them know that you will be needing their help as you travel throughout Europe. As long as they don't mind helping with your child, the trip may be restful for you as well. It doesn't hurt to have 15 helping hands. One thing to consider is how well your child sleeps at night & if his/her sleeping habits will disturb the group dynamics. In a group that large, some real discussion needs to take place so that nobody is caught by surprise. Good luck.

I left my first baby once when she was about 1 year old for about 3 days. I will NEVER do that again. When I came back, she wouldn't even come to me. She treated me like a complete stranger. It took me 2 days to convince her that I was ok. She is now 11 and our relationship has still never gotten to were I would like it. She had stayed with my mom. She has a wonderful relationship with her and I have learned to use that relationship to my advantage. If I'm trying to get her to open up, I call my mom and haver her talk to my daughter. I have since learned and do not leave my babies until they are 2 years old. It is much easier and they seem to be able to understand that mommy is gone and she will come back. I don't care what a pain it will be to haul your child all over Europe, I would take him, or not go until next year when he can understand better of where you went and that you will be coming back.

Just my opinion!

My husband and I have traveled to Europe a few times while we have had young children. Our first trip was to Hawaii when our youngest was only 3 months old. We took her along and don't regret it one bit. She was still so young, that she slept anywhere, anytime, and could eat anywhere, anytime too. We didn't bother with a stroller, we just carried her in a baby carrier on our chests. This worked very well! Though she wants to travel there again because she doesn't remember one bit of the trip.:)
Our next trip was in 2004, just before our oldest turned 4 years old. We decided to leave her home and prepared her for 'her' vacation with her 6 cousins as we prepared for our vacation to England, Wales and Scotland. I was gone for 3 weeks total. My husband came to join us as we were a week into our trip, so he was gone only a total of 2 weeks. He of course took her in the evenings after work and enjoyed the time he had with her before he left. Before I left, I put together things for her to enjoy on her vacation. We made a paper chain for her to count-down the days until Mommy got back and I pre-recorded some bedtime stories to listen to at night before bedtime while I was gone. We also called her every couple of days and were excited to hear about all the things that she was doing on her vacation. They did have quite a lot of fun without us! I do have to admit that I did miss her, but it was very nice to not have to worry about the time difference (about 7-8 hours) and about her schedule with naps and eating and all the traveling we did. There was also some things that I had to 'detox' her from when we did return. She had learned a few bad habits, but these few things were rectified pretty quickly. To this day she still talks about 'her vacation' and the souvenirs that we brought home for her. She made a few special requests and it was fun to surprise her with some treasures from Buckingham Palace.
Most recently we traveled to Sweden for three weeks, just this last summer. This time we took her, 6 years old by then, with us. It was very enjoyable to have her with us and for her to learn a bit about the Swedish culture. We kept emphasizing to her how lucky she was to be able to travel to Europe while still so young. Though she was exposed to quite a bit of 'European culture', we used these times and made them into good teaching moments. So while we did take her on the trip, we did leave her 22 month old sister home with family and friends. She enjoyed very much 'her little vacation' and got to go and see many fun things while we were gone. She spent a week at a different home, so she actually got 3 separate vacations. Also, with the time difference (9 hours) and ALL the walking and traveling we did, she just wouldn't have survived. I sent her with some of her favorite books and toys, and also a picture of us to look at when she was missing us. It often seemed that when we would call her to see how she was doing, that we missed her more than she missed us. When we got home we loved seeing all the pictures of her 'vacation' and she loved remembering all that she did. The only side effect that she had was a little clingy-ness, which is very understandable. She got through that though very quickly and has been none the worst.
So, I suggest that you will enjoy the trip so much more without your young child, and maybe when they are older, you will have an opportunity to travel together. This can be their time for a fun vacation of their own! Good luck!

I just thought I could help you out on this one. I went to San Diego with my husband for a week without our 7 month old son. It was really hard and I missed him everyday. BUt it was worth it because you need that time to reconnect with your husband. When I was standing in line at Disneyland missing my son my husband would remind me how if we had brought him we would have to leave and let him take naps and arrange our whole schedule around him. Meanwhile, he was on his grandma and grandpas farm playing with his family and now he loves to go and visit with them. We have left him and his younger brother there since and even though I miss them everytime I know that its the best thing for them and me. I plan to take them on fun trips in the future and keep going on alone trips with my husband. Hope this helps.

I think you can tell from everyone's response that the answer is probably different for everybody depending on your personality. You know yourself better than anyone else - how will you handle it? When I left my kids for the first time, I tested the waters by going somewhere closer for a shorter period of time. It's always difficult, but for me it eased me and the kids into time away. That being said, there will be no permanent damage done to anyone (you or your child) by your absence for 10 days. In some ways time away helps you regroup & reaffirm how happy you are to be a mom. It really comes down to knowing yourself and knowing how you will handle the absence. When in doubt, I would take your child on this one & experiment with time away later when you can go somewhere closer for a shorter period of time & see how you do. Good luck! And have fun on your trip!

When my son was 3 and my daughter was 1, my husband and I left them for a 12 day trip through Ireland and England. I missed them, but I did have lots of fun. Best was buying things to surprise them with when we returned. The last three days were the hardest because my son contracted chicken pox and by the time we left to come home, it had turned into varicella pnuemonia and conjuctivitis, as well as a sinus and ear infection. (on the plus side, the doctor side his immunity for life is practically guaranteed!) I say go and take this time to reconnect with your husband. the best gift you can give your child is a healthy marriage :)

We took our 11 month old to 4 countries in Europe and had a great experience. I bought the Baby Ergo carrier (soo lightweight and packable) and she was happy the whole time. I was nursing so she was easily comforted. I think it might depend on how active your child is; if he is one of those really busy, walking already babies it might be more difficult to be confined on planes/trains for periods.
We also packed minimal stuff and a rented a stroller when we got there. This is a must because American strollers cannot make it on European streets; the European strollers have big, sturdy wheels similiar to our jogging strollers but even tougher. If you absolutely had to take a stroller, I would suggest to Combi one that folds in half TWICE and can be put in a umbrella-like sleeve with a handle. Hope this helps!
I just couldn't leave her at the time so I understand but I also have left all my kids for up to 10 days at a time and they were perfectly happy with family members who spoiled them.

There is not a lot that a 13 month old is going to get out of Europe. I went to Europe last year (Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary-- you are going to love them!!) and could not have imagined having to do that trip taking care of a young child. There is so much to do and see-- and your schedule will definitely be cut short each day when your little one tires out. It is do-able to leave them. He will be clingy when you get home for a bit, but it's worth it. I missed my children dearly, and talked to them every day, but the trip would not have been as worth it worrying about a little one. It was also nice to spend the time with my husband.

Good luck!!