What else do you want to learn from other parents? OR, is there anything more about these topics you would like to know…let me know and I will include a new post.
October 21, 2008 by Familyvacationer
What else do you want to learn from other parents? OR, is there anything more about these topics you would like to know…let me know and I will include a new post.
At best I’m a travel novice. While I’ve traveled within California, I’ve a really limited travel log for outside the state. I don’t want that same experience for my son (3.5) as he gets older.
My dilemma, is I don’t want to fly someplace just to go to the park with him and I don’t want to travel the way my husband does (shop his way through a spot) or the way my parents travel (all about the food). I think there has to be a balance, but I don’t know what it is with a preschooler.
I’m already following several of the travel moms tweets and am hoping to learn enough to get brave and put us on a plane.
We live in the SF Bay area and make about 6 trips to southern Cal to visit family in a year and are looking at making a trip to visit the inlaws in NJ/NY in April ‘09.
At such a young age, they don’t get a lot from far away travel. I believe starting about age 6 is when it starts to become more interesting. While I take my 3 year old everywhere, it’s only because of the older kids. On a recent trip, we took the 4 kids to one of the world’s most beautiful spots, but the kids (even my 8 year old) only wanted to swim in the pool and have room service.
You are on the right track…with the right attitude. As your child gets older, you might want to consider home exchanging to interetsing places overseas. We did that this past summer for one month and the kids immersed themselves in the culture in an amazing way (the older 2). The younger 2 liked it but not sure they remember much about it. Home exchanging allows you to really experience an area like only a local can.
As far as your upcoming trip to NYC/NJ, I would find a fun hotel with a pool close to your in-laws and consider staying in Manhattan for one or two nights with trips to Central Park. going to Chelsea Piers, a visit to the Natural History Museum and perhaps attending a matinee of the Lion King (though this is quite expensive and my daughter went at 5 and doesn’t remember it). Central Park has enough activities to fill a whole day! There are numerous hotels to stay in…depends which area of town you want to be.
Does this help?