Traveling with 21-Month-old

marriot, holidayinn, days inn and most major hotel chains have cribs or pack n plays. marriot is a little pricey but they help people who have family emergencies. so I would pay the extra money for them If i could afford too. They are completely customer friendly too.

Hotels or staying with other families don't work well for my family of 6. When we travel we stay in vacation rental homes. Take a look at http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/mississippi and see if something there meets your needs and budget. There are many other rental by owner services though if you do a search for "Vacation homes" and the name of the area.

My elderly parents are coming to visit us this summer. They are staying in one of these rental homes that is close to us.

I do have to admit that I was uncertain the first time I did this - but we've had great experiences everytime

Good luck!

M.

Hi M.,

I can't speak to the hotel issue, as we've always had the option of staying with family. I do, however, usually end up putting my daughter in bed with me at least part of the time when we travel for her sense of security. Also, ask yourself how much time will actually be spent in the hotel vs. visiting with friends and family in the area.

As for traveling alone...It is possible. I traveled alone with my daughter at 19 months and with her and my husband at 23 months. Both times she rode in my lap. Some advice:

Pack lightly and smartly for the plane. You'll have to manage everything you carry on the plane and your son through security and the airports without assistance. I go for ONE carry-on bag that will fit under the seat in front of me. I can't carry more than that easily, and I can't get to one in the overhead bin without asking someone for help anyway. Organize your bag with gallon zip bags. Snacks go in one. Toys in another. Diaper supplies in a third...etc. It will help you find what you need without going crazy, especially one handed. Have everything you need to pull out for security (ID, baggie of liquids (including trial-size baby Tylenol), boarding pass) right on top.

Go to the used book store and stock up on Little Golden Books. They're about $.50 at ours. Depending on the selection, you'll find classics and ones with Sesame Street/Disney characters. They're light and smaller than most books, and many have just the right amount of text to keep you busy without getting bored.

Go to the dollar bins at Target, the dollar store or the party store and buy little party favors, a coloring book and new crayons. Don't let your son play with them until the flight so they'll be new and exciting. Plus, you're not making a big investment in something that may end up lost en route. I've even heard of parents wrapping them like gifts to add to the fun. Also, hide a few favorite toys about a week before the trip. He'll be so excited to see them again, that he'll play with them for a while.

If your son is fairly active, invest in a backpack with a leash for him. A friend uses one (looks like a stuffed monkey... http://www.walmart.com/ip/Goldbug-2-in-1-Monkey-Child-Saf... ) for her son, and loves it. He can run some of his energy out at the airport while her hands are occupied with the carry-on bags and the stroller.

Use overnight diapers for travel days. You won't have to worry about changing him on the plane as much. That can be a pain, as plane restrooms may not have changing stations, especially on smaller planes.

I always buy some bottled drinks for us in the airport and pack an empty sippy cup. I fill my daughter's cup during boarding so she has the option of drinking if her ears bother her during take off (never the case, though) without waiting for drink service. The added bonus? I have a drink for myself with a LID. I don't take an open cup from flight staff unless she's asleep.

Pack snacks. Applesauce or fruit cups should go in a quart-zip-bag and come out for security. Get disposable bibs, adhesive placemats (for eating or play-doh) for the tray table and silverware to stash in your bag.

Use the umbrella stroller in the airport and check the car seat. If you use a car seat travel bag (http://www.walmart.com/ip/JL-Childress-Ultimate-Padded-Ca... ...I hang my carry-on on the stroller, wear the carseat and pull the suitcase), there is room to pack a package of diapers in the space where baby sits in the seat.

And lastly...Mentally plan your sequence for security. (And wear slip-on shoes.) I do: 1) Shoes off of my daughter while in line. 2) When next in line, daughter out of stroller and in arms. 3) ID and baggie out. 4) Stroller on conveyor belt. 5) Bin on belt. Daughter's shoes in bin. 6) Bag on belt. 7) My shoes and baggie in bin. 8) Push everything through. Look for family-friendly security lines (SEA-TAC is great about this). And other travelers frequently offer to help me with my stroller.

Best wishes!

I just traveled to Colorado with my 2 year old and 4 year old at the beginning of December. I found carrying my son in a pack on my back and stuffing our stroller full of car seats (2) and carry ons, in between the car seats, was much easier than on the way to CO, I had my son in the stroller and tried to pull an airport cart and push the stroller. Wow, that was hard.

I used to travel with my daughter all the time and I always used a moby wrap and she rode on my while I filled our carry ons on the stroller.

It wasn't too difficult. Take a DVD player and some dollar store toys in small baggies. 2-3 baggies will probably do it. Oh, and a roll of scotch tape is quite fun. We found that out traveling in an RV over the summer. When your child tires of the few toys in one zipper bag, put them away and get out another zipper baggie. If you lose a toy or two in route or at the hotel, not a big deal.

My 4 year old slept on a lounge style chair with ottoman. The arms of the chair kept her from falling out of the chair and she thought that quite fun. It reminded me of the time that I did that when I was little. My parents put the two arm chairs together and that was my bed. My son slept in the bed with me. I put up a wall of pillows so he wouldn't fall out.

Take some stacking cups for bath time and play time and a favorite lovey or two. It isn't that hard. Good luck and remember to try to relax, you'll enjoy the trip more.
D.

Good luck. It shoudln't be too bad but you will be pretty tired after the trip. Try to get as direct of flights as possible (few connections) and it may be worth it to drive a few hours just to avoid another trip. Try looking into rooms that are 1 bedroom with a living room area versus 2 bedrooms. Not as convenient but they have pull out sofas or you can put the pack in play there. Most have tv's in the bedrooms so you won't have to go to sleep as early as your son. 1 bedroom are much cheaper than 2 bedrooms. Also look for vacation rentals (timeshares weeks rented out, houses, etc.) they can be mush less expensive than a hotel and you'll be able to cook there too.
For airport travel, if you can handle it, put your son in a baby carrier for getting through security. You can take a small stroller but this will give you free hands. I would check the car seat unless he really does sleep in it instantly. It's too much hassle on the plane although it is the safest option (they take up a lot of space). Make sure he isn't wearing shoes when you go through security so they won't ask you take htem off. If he is walking make sure they are easy on/off.
good luck.

While it might be nice to have a two bedroom suite, it certainly is not necessary when traveling with one 21-month-old. If you are visiting family, you really only need the room to get away for awhile and to sleep so why not settle for less. There are rooms advertised in that area that are in the $50 a night range. Do a good internet search and pick out the one closest to your parents. Save the two bedroom for when your husband travels with you.

You didn't say how long you wanted to stay, but did mention that your husband may be able to visit after the summer. I wouldn't get a 2 bedroom suite. Get a hotel room one king and ask for a crib. Your toddler can sleep with you or in the crib . Embassy Suites or and Extended Stay might fit your needs, but if they aren't close by to your parents, you will be spending more money on a rental car to get to and from. Maybe 3-5 days is all that your baby will be able to handle being away from his familiar surroundings as well, your Dad and baby are great indicators of just how long to stay. If you planned on staying a month, it may be advantageous to find a month to month furnished apartment, as that would be a whole cheaper and you would have more room for your toddler to play. Plus side to staying in a hotel, you have access to a swimming pool, you and your baby can get some water time. As far as your sister goes, you need to find out what's wrong. She's your sister and if your Dad's health is failing and she's living close by, alot of the responsibility for helping your Mom is going to fall on her shoulders. Do what you can to repair that relationship. She may have already been shouldering a lot of responsibilities for the care of your parents that you weren't aware of, and you came to visit and all the attention was on you and your baby... it may not have been something you did or said, but how your parents didn't acknowledge all that she has done or does for them, but there you were and you were 'it'. Jealousy, maybe, but it hurts sometimes to be under appreciated and you were the unlucky one to get the cold shoulder at her house.

Hotels are not cheap, but you don't need a 2 room suite for a stay. If a suite runs $500 for 3 nights, you can get a single room with a king or 2 queens for a lot, lot less, and they may even have a free breakfast or continental breakfast every morning!!!

Hi M.-
I think it's really great that you want to spend some time with your dad and want him to know your son. I am a bargain travel junkie! I did a quick check for hotels in the Ridgeland MS area and found the majority of them are suite-type hotels most of these are a single bedroom and a "living" space. It is very expensive to get a 2 BR suite as you already saw, but on hotels.com I saw several that were about $55/night+tax. You might also want to have a discussion with your sis about spending some time with her. A 21-month old is way different than an 8-month old. At a minimum see what she says. If you stay a few days with mom & dad and a few days with your sis and a few days in a hotel it might be the right mix.
Good luck,
S.

Why do you need a 2 bed suite? If it's just you and your 21 month old, you can get a one bedroom with a kitchenette for preparing meals. Most hotels have cribs available. If not, push the bed to the side of the wall and put pillows under the sheet on the other side to create a barrier and sleep with him. Nap with him and go to bed when he goes to bed. It's just for the trip. You'll save money and your son will feel safe with you right there since traveling can feel unsettling sometimes for kids.

If you can travel on a non stop plane there is no reason you can't do it. I traveled with a nine month old, a 2 year old and a nine year old by myself to San Diego. I was so scared of losing some one or something or having a melt down. I didn't so if I made it you can do it. And having one room will give your child more comfort than two rooms, plus saving money.

I don't have good suggestions on where to stay, but you do want to be comfortable for you and your child. Somewhere with a fridge for toddler snacks is a plus.
Mainly this is encouragement you can travel alone with your 21 month old. I've travelled alone with 2 kids (now 3 and 1) If money is tight definitiely make the trip before your son is 2 and needs his own seat. Just give your self time to get through security, be patient and be willing to accept help.

We travel alot! Katie C had great advise. I'll just add a couple options. I'd recommend a regular stroller for comfort at your destination, as they can lay flat and your child could nap in it, snack or eat with tray, carry your supplies, etc. At the airport, we have the kids walk as much as possible and use the stroller for all the carry ons, or even the car seat up to the check in. Not any harder to transport or check at gate than the umbrella style. Pack antiseptic cleaning wipes in a zip lock for mopping down the plane seat and area that can be so germy--you don't want to be sick at your destination. I don't know if your toddler likes to lick everything, but one of mine did, and an airplane seat/tray is just one of the grossest places for this! Good luck and have fun!