Ideas Needed and Some Advice-vacations, Camping

Well vacations this young will be hard no mater what you do. You need to wait till she is older to really enjoy vacations like i would say 2. I can imagine you do feel overwhelmed but from my experience it really doesn't get easier. I also have no help and as mine got older we go out less and less! Then he works long days as well. I wouldn't suggest camping personally because its hard to camp with a baby in diapers unless you rent like a cabin or something like that. We haven't went on a vacation till we know the kids are old enough to enjoy it. My daughter is 2 and son is 4 so maybe next year for us!

Wow, I hear you. The biggest thing I can suggest--FIND A BABYSITTER AND USE HER. If you are on vacation, relax a little bit on the schedule with the baby. Learn to enjoy yourself with your husband and make it a priority....with and without your daughter around. I know from experience. My first husband and I made our daughter the center of our lives and it killed our marriage...well, we let it. If a vacation at the beach was stressful, don't go camping! Go somewhere you can sit still with your baby and have some time to yourselves...if his family isn't around, maybe travel there so your daughter can stay with his parents while you both go out. Or your siblings, hit them up where ever they live and make some time to vacation with your husband. By the time we tried this with my first marriage, it was too late, we were so exhausted from giving our all to the baby we didn't even have any desire to be with each other any more...thus, why he is "my first husband" now...unless you can go camping with a group of friends where you can share the work--remember all the WORK of camping? don't go...you'll just have to be on 24/7 cuz of bugs and dirt and sticks and whatever that will go in her mouth...and get food on the table and change the diapers to boot....find a way that works to give yourself a break, even if it is just a small thing...and you're right, it won't last forever...hang in there, keep reaching out for support, you are not alone!

Welcome to mother-hood.

I have 3 kids - I would love to walk on the beach with my husband. (lol)
We will again - kids thrive on schedules. Motherhood is making sacrifices.

Been there - and this to shall pass. In the mean time, try to schedule her and enjoy this season of your life.

I hate to tell you this but vacationing with young children is very hard. I just got back from a trip to KeY West, FL with my 2 boys (1 just turned two and the other 3 nearing 4). It was rough! They wanted their drinks and their beds the whole time. I had to chase them through the hotel constantly. I don't think that vacationing with children will be fun until my kids are 4 and 5. I would not recommend camping with an 11 month old since they put everything in their mouth. The suggestion of a cabin with a hot tub sounds like your best bet. I may have to do that as well. Hang in there.

Steph

Well as a mom of four boys and no family close by I understand your dillema. Being a military wife I have traveled with my children being very young. My advice is to not stress too much about schedules. Kids adapt and if you stress it makes it worse for the child.Dont feel trapped, your child is not a burden but a blessing. It is hard to give up your career and stay at home all the time with the kids. See if your husband will give you a day with your girlfriends. Go to lunch get a pedicure or just go to the bookstore for an hour. Recharge your batteries and your entire family will be happier. There are days when my hubby walks in the door, I just say Had a bad day be back in an hour. I have to in order to keep my sanity. On the other hand, Camping would be difficult with a very young child. We have done it before and it is easier when they are closer to 2. As far as having a baby sitter, have you thought of swapping with a friend? I hope this helps and know that you are not alone and there is a light at the end of the tunnel :) Keep you chin up!

Well R., I just returned from a beach trip with my husband and 15 month old. I can tell you that its harder the older they get. The only thing that really helped us out was having my mother tag along.

My husband and I heard about some nice/clean cabins(more like a hotel, but not connected to one another) in the Christoher Creek area that have 2 bedrooms and its own hot tub off the patio for $350 a weekend. All you need to bring is your food. I thought that this sounds more practical for a baby/toddler. Just emagine putting the little on to bed and you and your hubby enoying the hot tub and a glass of wine!

Good Luck!
Jenn

Well, as a mother of two small children, who have traveled at all different ages, I can not stress enough to relax on the schedule. Go with the flow, relax and have fun.

We went on a trip one month after I gave birth via c-section to my daughter and we also had a 19 month old. We flew four hours and stayed a week in three different hotels. It was stressful, but you just learn to relax and your children will follow suit. Walks on the beach, were made possible with backpacks and snugli's for the kids, a large blanket in tow to lay on and enjoy each others company. Snuggling with our kids is just one other way we have enhanced our relationship with each other and our children.

Camping? Maybe not as easy. Especially with the campfires and me being a bit paranoid, but definitely more relaxing than carting the children from one hotel to another.

We even went on a cruise last year with both children, who at the time, were one and two years old. We had our family with us on the cruise, but in all actuality they really did not help us that much. We hired a sitter on board to watch the children on the formal night and we were able to enjoy ourselves a little bit.

I have never really had my children on a schedule to begin with, which I think, has really helped them to adapt to new situations with ease and comfort. They fall asleep anywhere, even in the middle of huge birthday parties, don't need a sippy cup to drink from and don't have blankets or lovies that get lost. I just have always done it that way and it works for us. We have a daily routine,but there is always room for error, new activities,a lunch date during naptime, and fun, fun, fun. Enjoy life with your daughter and know that this time is special and will only happen once. Include her in your activities, but also be sure to get that alone time. Find a sitter, neighbor or friend to watch your daughter, if it is only for an hour. I had someone tell me that they were so worried about their child everytime they left her, that they would run to Dairy Queen, grab some ice cream and come home and sit in the car or on the curb in front of their house. The sitter never knew they were there, but they were able to get that one on one interaction with each other, without distractions! Sorry this is so long and I hope this helps. Parenthood is a blessing,not a burden.

Traveling is definitely hectic. I just went to MX myself.
How about just papmpering yourself? Can you get away for an hour? Maybe once a week/even once a month. A nice massage can definitely help. I am a newly licensed massage therapist looking for new clients. Sounds like you need some pampering Mom.

S. Johnson
Devoted Touch Massage, LLC
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