Hi moms! I have always received great advice and opinions from all of you so here's another question. My husband and I are debating on whether or not to take an extended vacation this summer with our two boys ... they will be 3 years and 14 or 15 months then. My husband is a teacher so he has the summers off and has an opportunity for a summer job in Las Vegas for 5 weeks that would really help us save for our future. It would be so nice to be far away from home on vacation for a month but we worry about how it will affect our boys. Has anyone done this before? What was the outcome? Did it really mess up their schedules? They are both normally very good travelers (our oldest has taken 2 roadtrips from Chicago to Maine and 1 roadtrip from Chicago to Las Vegas and Santa Monica ... and our youngest took his 1st roadtrip from Chicago to Maine when he was 3 months old) so we aren't really worried about the trip there or back. We are more worried about taking them out of their norm for 5 weeks and getting them used to being there and then coming home and changing it all over again. I hope that all made sense. I really appreciate all experiences, opinions, and advice from all you mamas out there! Thanks!
ADDED: My in-laws would most likely look after the house while we were gone. I don't have a problem being there with the kids while husband works ... I'm a stay at home mom so it would be no different. The only problem would be his hours may not be the same each day so that could be a pain. And we have excellent medical coverage but would want to do lots of research about what would happen if something happens to the boys while there. We are big travellers and would love for our boys to see a lot of the world (or just the states right now ... lol) even if they are little and may not understand (or remember) everything. Thanks so far ... keep em coming :)
Absolutely go for it. Kids are super adaptable. The earlier you start to travel with the kids the better travelers they will become. This, for me, is a no brainer! Have fun!!
Do it! Kids need new and different experiences and to learn to adapt to different surroundings! Sounds like a great opportunity!
Well Vegas is nuttin :).... it will be awesome. Do it. It will give you an opportunity to bond with them more.... I took all three of my kids to INDIA, for 4 weeks. talk about horror stories. I wont go into too much detail. I had a 3, 1, and 6 month old. Yep, bottled water, malaria shots, hep shots, passports, visas, 17 hour plan flights, then crazy taxi rides with NO CAR SEATS or seat belts for that matter, stray animals, poor sewage, cant eat any local food for week, 110 degrees at NIGHT, electricity that works occasionally in bursts, medical facilities - well lets say in the land of 8 billion people our wait times at urgent care are NOTHING compared, Monsoon rains that dump 5 inches in a hour, busses that you stand on and hang off of, trains OH GOD that is just gaggggggg, and poisions snakes, leopards, tigers, bears.... ELEPHANTS ... anyway it WAS fun, never again till they are older though. I will take Vegas over India for a 5 week kids trip!!! HAVE A BLAST.
It sounds fun.
Who will take care of your home, while you are gone?
And the other question is: what will you do when your Hubby is at work in this new place? Meaning, will you feel isolated since you won't know anyone? Or everyday will be a fun adventure sight seeing and what not.
Will you all have medical coverage in case something happens?
Stop worrying.
I spent my first summer in Illinois when I was 19 and only because I had a stupid job. My parents took us camping in the upper Michigan woods from the time I was in diapers. We have done it with my 4 kids. My oldest at 15 months was in the boat until 9:30 fishing with Grandpa.
Emergency rooms take most insurances, Illinois Blue Cross, is what we had way back then, both my parents were teachers.
You will provide them with so many memories.
Pack the car and just go.
I bet it would be a lot of fun for them, and at that age they tend to roll with the punches anyway. You'll be able to take them to the Grand Canyon, etc.
My cousins spent a year in Germany with their 4 young (ages 18 months to 8 years) sons when he was able to take a teaching sabbatical (he is a university professor) and it was a wonderful adventure and experience. The older boys had to attend school for the year they were there and everything was in German, so they had to learn another language pretty darn fast - talk about adjustment! All the boys are grown now but all still try to travel back to Germany from time to time!
We take every opportunity we can to expose our son to different experiences, including living in different cities. We throw schedules out the window, keep what routine we can and have fun whereever we are.
Las Vegas...I'm so jealous!
I don't remember what I got as gifts when I was younger, but I do remember (and cherish) the memories from all the trips my grandparents took with me. Every summer while I was in school, they took me on road trips to all the west states to visit friends and family. We had the greatest adventures! Your boys should be fine. Even if its a different schedule, as long as mom and dad are there, they will adapt. What a great opportunity for you guys! I hope you have a great time. =)
We travel often with our kids...since they were very young babies. They both are awesome little travelers now and honestly, they take to a new hotel room or rental house right away and their schedules are not really disrupted at all. We keep the same nightly bedtime routine. Both of our kids (7 and 2) LOVE traveling and love seeing new places. Your kids will do fine. Think of it as a great educational opportunity for them...they get to know a new place, go exploring in a new place, go to new museums, go hiking, etc. There are so many cool things near Vegas...make sure you take them to Red Rocks. And isn't there an area near there (a state park) with a dinosaur bone museum? Have a wonderful time!
I have a 3 and 7 year old. I have never done this but it sounds awesome. Kids are adaptable and will love it. I might be a wreck leaving my house, car, etc. But the kids will do fine. Don't worry and enjoy this exciting opportunity. Think of the awesome road trips, etc.
Do it! The best thing you can do for your kids at this age is to provide them with adventures and changes of venue so that they develop flexibility. That doesn't mean to not have a schedule. Children need schedules. Before you go, research what all is available and what you can use for your kids. Get them up at the same time every day. Put them to bed at the same time. Eat at the same time. If they are napping, try to work around the nap. But make it educational, exciting, and happy.
Hurray - have a great time!
Dawn
Kids usually roll with the changes...it's parents that tend to stress. Sounds like you already know it's a good idea. What great memories to make! Enjoy it!
You are not saying where you will be staying (hotel, friends house etc). Vegas in the summer is hot, hot, hot. With little kiddos think early mornings and afternoons when you can do something with them outdoors.
Tourists atractions:
M&M factory is in Vegas (several floors with movie theater)-- kids usually enjoy it. Bellagio has a flower garden- very nice, always some kind of theme going on. MGM has lions (at least it had before LOL). There is more but with such little ones sightseeing tends to be hard...
The best thing would be to be at the place with the swimming pool (kids love it). You would be there first thing in the morning ;) Because you might have to stay indoors when is really hot mid-day. Take inflatable toddler gear and you'll be all set! :)
Also make sure you have always plenty of water for you and the boys.It is very dry there. 5 weeks will go fast!
