Biltmore at Christmas with an 18 month old

klynne924

My mom wants to go to Biltmore for her birthday, which is 2 weeks before Christmas, and I have wanted to go for years, so we're finally going! Since DH works on Saturdays and I don't trust anybody other than my mom to keep DS, he has to come along for the weekend. I know it will be crazy busy and from what I've read you need to give yourself a full day and even a second day to take everything in. We don't care if we have to skip the vineyards and all the extra stuff, we just mainly want to go through the house. I want to spend as much time there as we can, but I'm worried about that interfering with DS's nap if we go too early in the day. Do they allow re-entry for things like this? We'll obviously be going out to eat for my mom's birthday that night as well, so calling it an early night won't happen. Anybody have any suggestions on going to Biltmore during Christmas time? Anything we should definately make time to see or skip out on?  

frlcb

If you want to enjoy it then you need to find a sitter. It is $50 a person to get in (not for your ds) and for that amount of money you want to enjoy it and not be stressed the whole time.

We just went with our 5 month old and 3 year old and it was a nightmare. You can only have strollers on the first floor, and if your ds wants to walk you will be spending the whole time trying to keep him from going under the ropes. A Saturday at Christmas time will be a zoo. Our son walked and I wore my dd and we spent the whole time keeping him from running in front of people (usually all elderly) and running under the ropes - and he understood he wasn't supposed to. An 18 month old won't really understand that.

There is a farm there as well, and the gardens, but they both may be too cold to visit in December

Honestly I would find someone else to watch your son. What is the reason you don't trust anyone but your mom? Do you have other family or friends that could recommend a sitter? 

klynne924

frlcb:

Honestly I would find someone else to watch your son. What is the reason you don't trust anyone but your mom? Do you have other family or friends that could recommend a sitter? 

Nobody takes any initiative to show they can take care of DS even though I know all the grandparents have had babies. My dad ALWAYS overfeeds DS to the point where he is miserable everytime I give him the opportunity to watch him and instruct him on how much to feed and give him to drink. I think my SM resents my son because he is not her bio-grandchild and has made some snarky comments since he's been born and done some shady things. My grandmother would be the ONLY other person DH and I would let keep our son overnight, but she's going on the trip with us. DH's grandparents are too old to keep DS for the weekend and also smoke in their houses, so that itself is enough reason for him not to stay with either of them. We don't know anybody up here that we would trust to keep DS for the weekend and all of our family lives in south GA 2 1/2 hours away.

keg

Ditto frlcb.  Biltmore is not what I would consider a toddler friendly location.  I went several years ago pre-kids, but I can remember walking down some narrow curving stairs that were kind of dicey even then.  I might go with an infant in a carrier, but unless your DS is fine with being on your back in an Ergo for hours (which I can't imagine at 18 months), I doubt you'd get the chance to really enjoy it. 

AugustaBride04

We went to the Biltmore at Christmas the year before DD #1 was born. It was SO crowded and you kinda just shuffle along. While it was beautiful, especially decorated for Christmas with candelight, I would not take my kids there.  There is no way I could enjoy myself and there's not much for kiddo's to do in the house part. I can't imagine chasing them through there between the crowds of people and roped off restricted area.  Sorry you don't have any sitters that can help you out

ebearwife

I could recommend an excellent sitter for the day when your DH is at work and let him handle the balance.  I will check back if you need my email for the contact info.  No reason a father can't take weekend duty on the balance of the trip.  And seriously, if your only beef is with your IL's overfeeding (just remind them about portions - my ILs leave my kid in soaking wet diapers - don't get me wrong, I was pissed but it wasn't the end of the world and I handled it) and snarky remarks (don't get me started on my MIL) I would just take a deep breath, tell yourself its just one day, and enjoy your vacation and loosen up a little when someone is willing to give you a break. I am sure that your ILs love him and will keep him safe and it would be OK.

I would not take the baby.  You will be miserable, make your mother and grandmother miserable and waste your time, energy, gas, and money.

klynne924

ebearwife...It's MY dad & stepmom doing this. We went to a movie when he was 2 months old and I made sure to feed him before we dropped him off at my dad's. I had 2 bottles for the ride home which were gone when we picked him up, meaning my little 2 month old had eaten 12 ounces in less than an hour and a half based on when my dad told me he fed him. I was furious because he spit up and cried the whole 2 1/2 hours home. He did it again recently with sippy cups...3 in the 2 hours I took my sister to go do something for her birthday and fed him 2 containers of snacks and a snack pouch after he had already eaten. Stepmom has made comments on how she doesn't understand why DS recieves so much attention, how could he be so special to need that much from everybody...he's the 1st grandchild and great-grandchild on both sides of our families. I would like your sitter's contact for future reference, though. My email is klhollis924 at gmail dot com.

Anyways, problem solved! DH IS taking the weekend off after I told him about everybody's posts! Thanks ladies! This will be my first weekend away where somebody other than my mom keeps DS! Yay for girl time!

frlcb

klynne924:

ebearwife...It's MY dad & stepmom doing this. We went to a movie when he was 2 months old and I made sure to feed him before we dropped him off at my dad's. I had 2 bottles for the ride home which were gone when we picked him up, meaning my little 2 month old had eaten 12 ounces in less than an hour and a half based on when my dad told me he fed him. I was furious because he spit up and cried the whole 2 1/2 hours home. He did it again recently with sippy cups...3 in the 2 hours I took my sister to go do something for her birthday and fed him 2 containers of snacks and a snack pouch after he had already eaten. Stepmom has made comments on how she doesn't understand why DS recieves so much attention, how could he be so special to need that much from everybody...he's the 1st grandchild and great-grandchild on both sides of our families. I would like your sitter's contact for future reference, though. My email is klhollis924 at gmail dot com.

Anyways, problem solved! DH IS taking the weekend off after I told him about everybody's posts! Thanks ladies! This will be my first weekend away where somebody other than my mom keeps DS! Yay for girl time!

I am glad your dh is taking the weekend off, you really will enjoy it so much more without your ds!