Need Vacation Ideas

A friend of the family has a house on Lake LBJ, north of Austin. The house is a dump but we have sucha great time because we are basically at home but away. There are tons of homes to rent on the lake (literally - there are little "arms" of the lake so it is lake front) and if you get a group with other kiddos it's a blast. We BBQ, play washers, take the boat out. We take a blow up pool and that's what the little ones play in.

Have fun!

We had a lot of fun last year in Branson, MO. If you ever make it that way, you must stop in Springfield, MO (30 miles before Branson) and eat at Lambert's Cafe - Home of the Throwed Roll. You'll never have a better and more exciting time eating :-)

Instead of a traditional hotel - try renting a condo or house - some offer cribs of pack-n-plays and high chairs, it cuts down on some of the packing. You can find rentals by owner at www.VRBO.com or vacationrentals.com to name a few. Also, in the beach resort areas (North Carolina, S. Carolina, etc.) there are companies that will rent you the items you need - strollers, etc.

I traveled with our daughter when she was 5 weeks old to visit family - I UPS'd everything to myself c/o my brother so I wouldn't have to travel with it, then UPS'd it back. A little extreme and costly maybe, but it worked for me at the time.

My children are older now, but they were travel veterans by age 3. Kids pick up on your 'energy' so if you're relaxed, so are they! Don't fret about schedule changes and packing 1001 things you don't really need. The point of a vacation is to get AWAY from home, not pack it in the trunk and take it along - haha! Find a location that has several interesting activities close to the h/motel. Then plan your activities around your son's normal nap times. Go out sight seeing in the morning and then come back to the h/motel to rest. Use the vacation time for mom and dad to rest also (that's really what I love about vacations). Instead of loading EVERYthing into a diaper bag, grab a multi-pocket backpack and only take the essentials. Try not to focus on entertaining your son, but include him in the new sights, sounds, and experiences going on 'away from home'. Relax and focus outward on your vacation - your son will pick up on this and do the same. We had a travel stroller - just a lightweight umbrella style that wouldn't wear us out to load and unload. When he's out and running around, put the backpack in it or use it to carry your momentos. A little kid's legs will tire out a lot faster than yours, so the stroller will be a sanity saver!

Y'all might enjoy New Braunfels/San Antonio area. There are a LOT of family friendly activities and sites. Sea World, River Walk, Zoo, etc. Check the web for the 'tourist destinations'. A little research, a few phone calls and some planning will REALLY save you stress when you get there. Most h/motels offer portable cribs or cots so you won't have to take one along. Now is a slow time for vacationers, you might be able to snag a few fabulous deals just by asking! Good Luck and happy vacationing!

Hi Cecilia,
we had a fabulous vacation at Beaches in jamaica. The kids (about 22 months old at the time - twins) loved the day care provided as part of the holiday, and we loved knowing they were safe and happy all day while we could sleep (how the ideas of vacation have changed!) or relax, or even go out for the day. Highly recommend such a place if you are looking for R&R you can all enjoy! Forgot to say the same carers will babysit for you of an evening, very cheap and there is a nurse on site right next to the child care.

My advice is to spend a little more then you usually would on accomodations so that you have a nice place to hang out and it is an absolute MUST to have a full kitchen. I usually try to maintain at loose schedule with the same nap and bedtimes. It will be a little slower pace, but sitting on a nice porch with a good book while your little one naps is HEAVEN.

Check out VRBO.com (Vacation Rental by Owner)to find a place to stay. Last year we stayed at a beach house and found it on this site. I actually felt like I was on vacation. When the kids napped we could go outside and hang out by the ocean, sit on the patio, etc.- just bring your baby monitor.

We were able to cook and cater to snacks just like at home. It is the best way that I have found to travel with kids. Last year we stayed in Laguna beach, CA. The year before, Oceanside, CA. One year it was Emerald Isle, NC.

check out his all inclusive farm vacation in georgia. at www.georgiamorgans.com
heres what is says on their page.
If you are looking for an affordable vacation experience for you and your family. Stay in a modern “bunkhouse” and join the family in running the horse farm. Join in on one or all of the events going on, or just sit and rock on the porch.
Farm has no Wi-Fi and limited cell phone service. If you HAVE to use the internet it is available at the main house.

We recommend that your family Use this as a unplug weekend to get back to basics and enjoy the simple farm life and each other.

$500.00/ for family for the weekend up (or 3days 2 nights) to 6 for more than six please call for availability and pricing.
Or
$150.00/person (or 3days 2 nights) as spots are available.
Please email for availability and reservations and I will email you deposit/payment policies and PayPal info.

If there are certain aspects you want these are the seasons when they generally.
March –may foaling/breeding season
August 20th grape season making jelly
October-december pecan season
Spring/summer-garden planting and harvesting
November-sugar cane harvest and squeezing and making cane syrup

Regular farm activities
• Feeding and caring for horses, chickens and dogs
• Horseback riding lessons
• Planting grass/ maintaining pastures

Other activities you can choose from
• Butchering/cleaning and cooking chicken
• Jelly making
• Bread making
• Outdoor Dutch oven cooking
• Canning meat
• Canning vegetables
• Shooting bow and arrows
• Shooting weapons…(must call in advance for specifics and there is extra cost for ammunition)
• Driving a horse and wagon
• Making firestarters
• Learning to use compass.

If you are flying, I would check into borrowing or purchasing one of those new car seats that convert to a stroller. Basically, they put wheels on them with a handle that extends. Carrying around a car seat in an airport SUCKS! I've done it way too many times. If you have to, loosen the shoulder straps all the way, then you can carry it on your back like a pack.

If you feel comfortable enough with him on your lap, you can just rent a car seat with your car. That's awsome, but you have to figure out the "new" seat pretty quickly. Luckily, they are mostly all the same.

Most large cities will have places where you can rent lots of the baby gear you will need. You might also consider a sling as opposed to a stroller. You and hubby can take turns and he can get a nap in while you are carrying him.

I love Boston and the New England area. It's beautiful up there and you can find lots of historical things to do.

Luckily, at your son's age, you should find things that you want to do, as he won't remember them or be too interested in the kids' things yet. Of course a good kids' museum or playground is a must.

If you want to stay relatively close, try Austin. It's our state's capital and you can get in a little history there. They also have a fantastic kids' museum. And it's close enough to drive and take some of your own stuff.

Good luck,
K.

I love anyplace in Mexico. Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta are good family friendly places. Also, we love going to Destin, Florida. We have stayed at Condos and hotels there. Great, clean family fun. Beaches have white sand and carribean blue water. My family and I still go to Concan, TX to the river every summer. We rent a cabin at Frio Country or River Haven. It is a good economical thing. We float the river during the day and grill out at night. It is more family friendly that floating the guadalupe river in New Braunsfels. I have done that too but I think it is more suited for adults. If you have any questions please feel free to PM me.

Mine only traveled a little at that age, but this is what I learned just in the course of have 2 kids a yr apart and traveling a lot to grandmas who lived about 4 hours away.

Pack snacks at all times, pack one juice cup and one thing of drink at all times. You can rinse the cup out and use it again.

Pack one xtra shirt for the kid. He can run around in a diaper if he has to but no shirt is not too good against sunburn/cold, etc.

Bring his fave blanket/toy/stuffed animal. Whatever comfort thing he likes to sleep with. All my kids had a small (5" tall or so) stuffed toy they loved to carry around in the car.

If they wear shoes,make sure they are comfy and not something like flip flops or sandals. Those don't give a lot of protection and in some areas you want their little feet covered when they decide they want to run around. YOu can always take them off in the car/stroller.

And most definetly pack a light weight umbrella type stroller. That will make all the difference! You can put the kid in it, hang bags on it, and even a drink holder. ;-) I went on a trip without one and regretted it tremendously. But dh was wanting to pack light. I said never again. Pack light does not mean carry the kid around all day till you are both exhausted.

Good luck

I did the condo deal with my one yr old...Just have to call and check what kind of activities there are for adults..they vary big time before you make reservations..All I had to take was clothes and toys...condo was furnished even with furnished kitchenette...now this was 25 yrs ago too

follow Nike's advice and Just Do It! i am a single Mom of a delightful 20 month old girl and due to my work and family, we've been traveling since she was 2 months old. she loves to experience new places and i really believe it will help prepare her for the grown up world. sure, it's scary and lots of work to plan properly adn go, but it's well worth it. our first road trip we drove from austin to Port Aransas, she loved the beach. then we drove to fredricksburg and stayed over night in a B&B. just make sure where you go has kitehenette so you can prepare meals. i always opt for a balcony or porch so i can sit outside and feel like I am getting away while she sleeps - she still takes 2 naps a day also. Go enjoy!

My children are 8 and 9 years old now and have been traveling since infancy. Since my husband works for American Airlines, it's always been a part of our lifestyles. I love giving advice on this topic because traveling is one of our favorite things to do as a family. We have learned so many things about each other and about the world. It's such a wonderful time to bond with your family. Personally, I can't think of a place that won't work for families. The world has so many things to see and do; it's just a matter of choosing. You could pick a place in your home town or could jump in a car or plane and go across the world. The time together is rewarding, no matter where you choose.

We have a timeshare and we have also stayed in many hotels. I will have to disagree with another moms opinion about packer "lighter" in a condo. I end up having to pack much more when we stay in ours because I'm including cleaning supplies, food, storage for food items, etc., etc. I love it, though, because it's usually much bigger and offers a kitchen (which saves tons of $ from having to eat out). It's a home away from home, which means you clean as you go. They are wonderful, though!

Personally, the easiest vacation is an all-inclusive. If you like the beach, Cancun is AWESOME and has so many inexpensive specials. I have never seen a child who doesn't like to go swimming. You have the beach, the pools, relaxation, activities, lots of wonderful food, kids activities (which you don't need at this age; a game of pat-a-cake and a coloring book goes a long way!), etc. It's very nice to have the option of going to a nice dinner with your husband for one evening and to utilize the childcare facility for an hour or two after spending a full day playing, napping, eating, swimming, building sand castles, etc.

Anywhwere you go to get away from it all and to spend quality time with interruptions is a wonderful place. Don't forget, either, that you don't have to pack it all up. It's rare to not have a Wal-Mart or something similar wherever you go. Even Maui has a Wal-Mart! Pack light, travel light, and just have fun.

the beach is always a great place for a family. you can go swimming in the ocean or in a pool(if you stay at a hotel/resort or even condos have pools), play on the beach and usually they have zoos and amusement parks nearby. we go to destin, florida almost every year and absolutely love it. alot of places will have a few of the things you need for the little ones, like the pack n plays and high chairs. and we drive, which is better because you can take what you want.

hope you have a great vacation!

Really quick -

Can't live without when traveling gear -
Backpack carrier - awesome if hubby is with! You can actually move in, around and fast.
small umbrella stroller - super cheap one (sometimes free with purchase at larger baby stores) so you won't cry if it gets lost or damaged
baby food grinder/mill - to grind up adult food when baby food options are limited
white noise maker - to drown out talking or other hotel noises.

Embassy Suites hotels or similar - pool, cocktail hour on site, usually have movies for kids, free breakfast that is really good.

You can always buy more diapers, wipes, sunscreen, food so I always try not to take up too much space with those.

Cabin rentals are great, state parks with pools/lakes and walking or easy hiking trails. We traveled to CO, MN, and more with little ones. Aquariums, children's museums, zoos, pools/lakes and parks were the biggest winners for us.

I read that the mountains in Tennessee have great family friendly rentals and activities.

Have fun!

In my experience, the location isn't as important as the lodgings. You do not want to be stuck in a hotel, trying to schedule naps around room cleaning, or be stuck going to bed at the same time as your baby. (My friends recently spent their vacation evenings in Chicago drinking cocktails and talking in the hallway outside their room, so as not to wake their baby.)

We have twice used various "Vacation Rentals Online" sites to find apartments to rent while on vacation. We just got back from a little vacation to Boston last week, where we rented a 2 bedroom brownstone in the South End for 5 days. The average cost was less than a hotel room, and we were able to get groceries, milk, etc. You can find rental properties like this in almost all major cities and vacation destinations.

One word of caution: most of these places are not set up to be "baby safe" (although neither is a hotel room.) We had to keep a close eye on our guy throughout our stay, but it was still worth it for the privacy and comfort.

You will have lots of "gear" - no doubt about it. But, once you get settled in it will not be so bad.

P.S. Boston was great - the aquarium and children's museum were a hit! We used a service to get a babysitter one night as well. Fun for all!

With three young children we don't do much vacationing right now, but I did want to mention that most hotels will provide a playpen/port-a-crib free of charge. Just ask when you make a reservation. That is one large item you can leave at home! Your little one will probably love to explore any new place you go too!

We went to Destin, FL last year. My son was 18 months. We got a condo on the beach and we could go upstairs at anytime. They had a indoor pool, outdoor pool and it was right on the beach. We went with another couple and their son, and had a blast. We rented a two bedroom condo with a kitchen and went to Walmart for our groceries.

We swore to make it a yearly family tradition!!

I think the condo idea is great.... check it out. We camped when they were younger, now they want a hotel. But it was a good experience for all of us. And walking, which they used to love to do, made them tired. And fires were cool (now they're stinky) and S'mores rocked. Just remember at this age the vacation is for you. Your baby won't remember vacations till they're about 5 and up. They might remember at 4 what they did at 3 but they forget later on.

So plan for yourselves and find a place with a good sitter service. Las Vegas has a great sitter network.

A great vacation spot, not far from home, is South Padre. I went there every year when I was a kid and we took our family last summer. It was the best vacation we have ever taken. It is not too far to drive and you can pack as much as you need in your car. I was worried about the long drive with my daughter, but it was great! We would rent an umbrella on the beach everyday and that is where my daughter took most of her naps. There are lots of places to stay that are right on the beach. You can go crab hunting at night on the beach and they have a lot of great places to eat. I would recommend it highly! Wherever you decide to go have a great time! Let me know if you decide to go to South Padre and I can recommend some great places.