- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Toddlers: 24 Months+
Advice needed, traveling to in-laws for Christmas.
We are planning on a 2 day visit with DH's family, at their historical home. Yes...you read it right, a christmas decorated 1800's 10 bedroom, UNchild- proofed space, that a 2.5 year old boy could tear to pieces in a second. Sounds fun right? Both of DH's parents are retired and don't really involve their selves in a lot of activities and will not having anything for our family to do besides sit around the fire and sleep, eat, talk(this is an "authentic" home and they do not have a single TV). While this is always fun for the first few hours, the days are long and very stressful for ME b/c I am constantly watching to make sure that DS isn't breaking an antique. I just got on the city's website, and saw that there is an annual parade on one of the nights so that could possibly be fun. Any advice on making this go smoothly? I always try to bring tons of toys, coloring books, and things to keep him busy, but he loses interest quick when he sees all of the "new" shiny antiques to play with...lol. Also, they do not stock their home with any "kid" friendly foods, although DS is not a picky eater he doesn't eat a lot of food while we are there. Would it be rude if I packed a cooler with his snacks and a few meals, like I said it's only 2 days, but I really need to start making this trip smoother now that we have another child too. Sorry so long! TIA!!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Advice needed, traveling to in-laws for Christmas.
I'd definitely go to the parade to get him out of the house. Maybe take him outside to play, too, to tire him out.
Magna Doodle is a huge hit here and keeps her busy for a while. You could also strap him into a booster chair with a tray and give him a notebook to put stickers in. This kept my DD occupied for almost two hours at the airport last week, no joke.
And I don't think it's rude to bring kid-friendly food. I always bring food for DD because a lot of my family members don't eat so great and DD won't eat their food. Just explain that it's easier to just bring kid-friendly food for him.
I could have almost written this response. SIL and her family live with MIL & FIL, so her 2yo DD eats like crap for every meal, including things like Pepsi. I've never seen her eat a fruit or vegetable.
Definitely take your own food. MIL almost never cooks, so it's potentially carryout for most meals when we're there. I always bring enough food & snacks to last the whole weekend when we visit.
ETA: Their house is also full of enticing breakable or dangerous things at child height and not child-proofed except for the existence of baby gates on the stairs.
If you can afford a portable DVD player that might be a good investment for this visit and ones in the future. I know our kids are getting to the age where board games are starting to be age appropriate. Maybe find a few easy ones like hungry hippos or koodies or something that you could play by the fire but of course they wouldn't play without good supervision. The parade sounds awesome!
Has you DH talked to them about possibly keeping one room in the house where you hang out more kid friendly so you don't have to worry as much. I can't imagine how stressful that could be
I don't think it is strange to bring food. When we travel back home I always do some grocery shopping when we get there. We go for 2 weeks at Christmas and a month in the summer. It helps DD to be more comfortable even though we are away from home.
Carter James
I second the DVD player or if you have a laptop that can play videos. I use it to turn my DDs attention somewhere else. For instance, when we are taking a long ride or are on the plane I will bust it out as a last resort cause she thinks of it as a treat. Even if its just to divert your LOs attention for a few minutes.
I love our beach tote - we use it for the beach but on our trips I pack that sucker full of toys. Its an extra bag, yes, but its easy to pile in the car and keep everything tidy when you're someplace else.
GL! At least its just for a few days...I have my FIL who lives in Portugal and is a very miserable man coming to our house this Tuesday....for a month! ;-)
I always bring some kid friendly food when we travel...its just easier to know you have stuff handy.
I think the DVD player is a great idea. I'd bring some new toy as well...just to keep his attention longer. I don't know if they have a good toddler version but my son saw a gameboy for the first time a couple weeks ago and was mesmerized!