I Need Some Advice - Homestead,PA

I understand where your coming from, but welcome the fact that it is still time away. Have fun enjoy the beautiful outdoors and take long walks with your child. It might be fun !! Your husband will be jealous that he cant join you both. Believe me, its better then sitting in meetings all day !!! Lots of Luck

Hi S., We have always taken our children with us on trips (even business). I look at the world like it is an open book. Doctors and other professionals have always told parents to read to their children, even before being born. Even though you would like to enjoy every minute of the trip with your husband, imagine what new world you would be helping your child enter with just a trip to a museum or event for example. Taking your child doesn't mean your not going to have a good time. You may make one of the fonest memories. You may have to coordinate naps and snacks and meals at an appropriate time, but as a family and what it will do for your child is well worth the extra effort. You have to think about your son's behavior. Can you usually take him somewhere where he doesn't "act up"? I disagree that your son is too young to take to Disney (he may not be able to do everything at Disney.) We took our kids for the first time to Disney when they were 3 and 6 and I can still remember the looks on their faces to this day! Good luck with your decision. I (we) have never regretted taking our children with us. Our kids have been around the world with us and have remembered something from each trip.

Stephanie,

I can understand your dilemma. I have a 6 month old daughter and want to take her to parade's, parks, etc. but she really is too young to understand what is going on and fully enjoy it. Since you will be in DC in the summer time, I'd say go for it. The weather will be generally nice, and good for taking your son for walks around the Mall to see the monuments, etc. I grew up in that area and my Mom took us down to DC often. Even if your son is under 2, he'll enjoy the Natural History Museum and the big animals and noises. The National Zoo would also be a great time for him, and you can tire him out there letting him run around. Two weeks is a long time, but you can find a hotel that offers or can find babysitting services, or spend time with the other Mom's and kids that are there with your husband's coworkers. Maybe you can trade off with them too and each give each other a date night or too...

Good luck.

Hi Stephanie,

As the mother of 2 (Bailey turns two next month and Riley turns one next month) and living in the DC area for the last 10 months I'll tell you that DC truly is not a very child friendly town. I loved the idea of coming here from San Diego as I'm a historian and wanted to be able to experience all of the museums, etc., but I have found the tourist areas of DC to be extremely unaccommadating to young children. While your son would probably enjoy the National Zoo, at 18 months it is unpractical to have him spend hours in a stroller or holding your hand for you to see the Holocaust Museum or the National Gallery. Belive me, my husband and I have tried and our children aren't real high strung. We have visited an incredible restuarant down off the National Mall that politicians and big wigs eat in all the time, great food, etc., but they don't even have high chairs. I realize it's not your typical family restaurant, but lunch on a Friday afternoon when most of the politicos aren't around anyway shouldn't be a bad time to bring kids in to eat. Ours aren't monsters whom run around and scream. I'd give anything to take a trip back to San Diego where the city is VERY child friendly. Anyhow, I have bought and used a couple of books on travel with children in the DC area, don't waste your money as they won't be useful with a toddler.

This is my two cents and if you have specific questions feel fee to ask. Tell your husband to read this message and wait a few years to bring a little one to DC.

T.

Stephanie,
Until I saw what the other 2 responses said I was almost going to tell you to stay home. I COMPLETELY know how you feel. I have a now 20 mo. old and I still hardly go anywhere ever! Just little in between nap trips around town type things. BUT if you take one day - hour - sometimes minute at a time, be patient and prepare ahead of time for what you need to bring and all MAYBE you will just have fun! I know most of the times I have not gone I always felt like , "I should be with my husband" for all of our sakes. And he didn't even spend the night anywhere. I felt "left out" too and got tempted to feel sorry for myself. Nobody said you have to go to ALL the "stuff" they are doing there. Nothing is wrong with a day or 2 in the hotel if you just get tired or whatever. As long as he (baby) is with you he should feel safe and happy. Go ahead and go; even if you stay in the hotel half the time or not atleast you will be with your husband and I am sure he would appreciate just knowing you and baby are near more than you know. Baby will probably enjoy being outside (unless it is FREEZING)and the air usually is good for sleeping. Just have what you need to stay warm enough. I am soon 42 years old and 3 mos' preg. also; Soooo all of that has to do with my LACK OF ENERGY also. If you feel you have the strenght; you should end up glad you went. Good Luck
K. :-)

Also, I live near DC. If you want to hook up and have a cup of tea, that would be cool. My son is 21 months old.

Not only that, but there are things to do within a 90 minute drive, like the Children's museum of Richmond, but there are also malls that have cool play areas and plenty of places to go walking and just let your son do his thing. He will be happy if you are there for him during the day. I know it would take a few days for my son to get used to sleeping in a different place, but sleep has always been an issue for him. Let me know if you want more info. I have a local email list with sights and things as well. There's also a cool rec center with an awesome kiddie pool area you can swim w/ him in. Let me know and we'll talk!

H.

I say GO! DC is awesome! For one thing, there are 9 different museums to go to, and a HUGE Zoo. For another, they are all free! It works out perfectly because if you are doing something in the morning and you can tell you are heading for a temper tantrum, you go back to your hotel and crash. No money lost, just an extra trip on the Metro. We took our kids when they were rather young and they loved it! the Air and Space museum is endlessly fascinating to little ones with all the rockets and planes to look at, and Natural History has dinosaurs and a large number of stuffed animals (animals who are now stuffed, that is)to look at!

My advice is to go and enjoy, just relax. Don't try to do everything in one day! :)

A.

Having lived and gone to college in DC for 5 years, there is always something to do. Not too long ago, I went down to DC for the day with two of my friends. Between the three of us, we had 4 children under the age of two. I'm not going to tell you that it was easy, but it was fun and totally wore the kids out. There are a ton of museums that you could walk through (especially the Air and Space Museum) and your son just might be fascinated with all of the planes and space ships on display. With the kids in strollers, we walked around and visited the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, along the reflection pool and spent a good portion of time at the Mall where we were able to let the kids run around and tire themselves out. The only thing I will warn you about though is that some sights (like the Washington Monument, for example) don't allow you to take a stroller on the tour. And as for the White House tour (if you're interested) in order to get tickets for a tour that day, you have to get there extremely early in the morning and wait in a line for a long time before you hopefully get tickets for a tour. DC can be kid-friendly, you just have to plan out what you want to do ahead of time. I hope this helps and good luck!

I can say that with a 4 year old and twin two year olds, that going through those places with them is difficult, but possible. You just have to stay constantly moving and really won't have much time to stop and read anything. He'll probably want to get out and move around, which is OK. You only have one kid so that's much more reasonable. I say go for it. It's a great opportunity for you. Sure your son won't appreciate it, but just take many breaks, bring lots of treats, and perhaps do something special with him. He'll like the air and space museum and the history museum. Maybe even the art museum if you talk to him and point things out to him throughout. I say don't let his age stop you from enjoying yourself, but do understand that it won't be easy and that you will need to be inventive to keep his attention and to keep him from going crazy. If you're lucky he'll fall asleep in the stroller and take his nap there. Mine don't do that. :) Good luck. Don't feel timid talking to your husband about that. Just explain to him the potential difficulties. Perhaps do a trial run to a museum with your husband before hand so that he can understand what it's like with the child. Sounds like he doesn't take care of him be himself and understand things. Perhaps you can spend a day away from your son and your husband can take care of him so that he can get the full perspective of things. :) Good luck! At least your husband wants to do things with your son. Mine is just the opposite and sees all the difficulties beforehand and won't do anything like that until they get older because he doesn't want to deal with the stress of it.

i can only say that sometimes i think back and it was easier taking my daughter on trips when she was young.. she's only 4 now, but ALOT more verbal and harder to keep up with. so, being from the dc area, i can tell you that if you somewhat plan it out and keep a stroller handy, you might find its not that bad...

also, its not so much a trip for your son at this point anyway... throw in some parks, some places with things he likes to do, and there you go..

and DONT FORGET THAT STOLLER!

I agree with the others. I would go and schedule things around your sons schedule (you'll want to stick to his schedule as much as possible anyway so it will be easy when you return home). I'd rather go on a trip than stay home. About Disney, tell your hubby your son will love it! I took my son at 1 1/2 yrs he had a blast. He loved the 1ft pool at our resort & the rides he could get on a decent amount because they are more geared around themes than speed. I went when I was 2, I don't remember it but from the pictures I was a very happy girl! Hope this helps :)

I live very close to DC and there are plenty of things to do around the area that your son will enjoy. There is the DC Zoo not far and if you care to venture out of the city Annapolis is about 25 mins away. You would be surpised what an 18 month old will think is intresting. How often will you have a chance your self to see so of the things in DC. I think you should go. You will probably enjoy your self. Hope this helps.

I disagree with Disney, we took our 3 when they were all very young and they do enjoy it!!

As for Washinton just bring a stroller and a diaper bag. I don't see why you all can't go. I ahve been there with my older 2 and my middle daughter was a baby, we didn't have a problem. The key is to be prepared that you will ahve to stop to change a diaper and feed the baby. We always travel with our kids.

I have a five year old son and he has been travelling all over the world since he was 3 months old. Children are very adaptable and the more you expose him to at this age the easier it will be to pique his interest in new places and things. Every city has something to offer, take a stroller try to stay on his schedule and GET OUT!! You don't have to see everything there is , pick places you will enjoy and share your enthusiasm with him. I'm sure you will have issues at times but it is all worth the effort you will make.

I would go! Please don't take this the wrong way. I say enjoy the time with your husband on the extended trip. The baby is 18 months old, and you can plan things around your son's sleep pattern. That's what me and my hubby always did...dinner, grocery shopping, and other excursions. I say to enjoy life to the fullest, and you can't do that cooped up at the house while the hubby is away! Think about it this way, the baby is more likely to be "interested" in the Washington Monument or the Smithsonian, than say a five year old. So, I say take advantage of the opportunity now. So what if he cries a little in the middle of a tour? Pick him up, coddle him, and keep on walking...anyone that doesn't understand, doesn't have kids!! I have found other parents to be very sympathetic when my child is not being an angel in public. It's part of being a parent. Besides, you don't want to have any regrets, do you? If this is something that your hubby feels strongly about, I say do it...but that's just my opinion, and you have to do what works for you:) Good luck, and if you decide to go...HAVE FUN:)

S.

I have a five year old son who has traveled with me on business since he was five months old.

I'm a working Mom so I try to take him with me wherever I go.

That being said with some good planning and a bit of patience we have enjoyed many events, trips and generally others in the places we go.

First, Bring a backpack of age appropriate toys, I always travel with a video player for times when we are "trapped" like in an airplane. I don't try to do every activity but I often add my own activities and in DC you and your son could go see many wonderful things if the "group" activities are not
realistic.

I always try to keep my son's schedule no matter where we are and that makes all the difference. I keep uncrustables and milk with me in a small portable cooler and snacks in his backpack. We take pajames and his blanket and if we are running behind timelines for bed I get him dressed for bed and when he was younger put him in the stroller to sleep....

It isn't as easy as staying home, but it sure can be fun and today Sean travels well and is very easy going.....plus he has learned so much about the world and people......give it a try.

Stephanie, I don't have much more to add other than to echo the advice to go ahead and go. I was in DC when my son was the same age for a similar amount of time (it may have only been one week). I would agree that DC is not actually very kid friendly (we went there when we were living in the San Fran Bay Area and I was still nursing my toddler - privately). Mostly at the parks you will find nannies and au pairs, but that is OK. I would take advantage of the offer from the DC-area mom to meet and find out what she knows. We brought along an umbrella stroller (easy to manuever around) and backpack. My son who was a VERY high-spirited baby, toddler and now 9 year old, did just fine: there is A LOT to see: you can walk everywhere, you do want to make sure that you have snacks and make sure that if he is still napping that he gets his naps and gets to bed mosly on time. I always travelled with small amusements on the plane and for restaurants and also brought PJs for times when we would be out past bedtime (which I tried to avoid as much as possible). In DC children are definitely NOT the norm - young professionals and folks who have their kids watched by professionals, but there is so much to see and do. We especially loved the air and space museum, the zoo, and the natural history museum. Have fun!

H. (36 y.o. mom to 9 & 6 y.o. sons), happily married for 12 years

I think it really depends on your son's temperament. I know that when we took our daughter to California on one of my husbands business trips, we had a great time. Even though we spent a lot of time in the car, because he had to travel to several parts of northern California. I just tries to give my girl a little time to run around in the morning before we set out for the days events. And I would invest is a foldable super light weight backpack carrier, (like a mei tai). There will be times when your son is tried and doesn't want to walk anymore. The back carriers are great, and my daughter was able to nap in ours and she had a really god view of the world over my shoulder, plus it's much better than lugging around a stroller. I do hope you go and have a great time. Your son will probably love the airplanes at the Smithsonian.