Travelling with 18th month old..

[levinthomas]

Hi guys,

We are planning to visit this Sept. Can someone tell me the best time to travel. Also is it advisable to bring our 18 th month old with us or should we leave his behind with his grand parents.

Suggestions awaited.

[cindyo]

My first ? would be. " Where are you staying"...some places are kid friendly, others not.

[Chadd]

If the G-parents are willing to watch him, take advantage of it and get some alone time. There are very few activities for children that age.

[MomOf2]

There's plenty to do. I'm sure some hotels/resorts are more family-friendly than others, but beach and pool are enough to completely whip out any toddler (and parents!)

How about bringing the grandparents with you?

The hardest part for our family last year was the plane ride.

[DDarubaDD]

We went 2 years ago and brought our son when he was 15 months old. We had him at the beach everyday and got a babysitter after dinner everynight so we could go to the casinos. We had a GREAT time and we're going back this sept/oct for 2 weeks with 2 kids this time LOL. Our boys are 1 and 3 this time around and we can't wait. I definitely recommend bringing the little one along and getting a babysitter for some alone time. Hope this helps

[miesk5]

We are GPs to a 2 yo and 6 month old; last year we bought a portable DVD player for the plane ride and beach time for the 2 yo when he was 12 months.

Also, a cotton sheet is good to have for them to nap on the beach under a palapa. EZ to shake, wash, & dry each night for next day use.

Foldable beverage bags (large w/compartments & /zip lock bags for snacks & for holding ice (re-freeze em overnight to save water)

Sunscreen is a MUST! Some great Tips

We stay @ La Cabana; here is their Children's Activity Schedule - geared mostly for older than 18 months tho
Enjoy!

[Andrea J.]

great suggestions
andrea

[miesk5]

TY and thanks to you for all your advice and those who posted their tips in the Some great Tips Link

[shanb42]

We took our first daughter when she was 6 months (stayed at the westin) and 18 months (stayed at the hyatt).

This year she'll be 3 1/2 and we also have another 15 month old daughter. We will be staying at the Surf Club a month from now.

Rather than having to worry about constant sunscreen, I keep both my girls in hats and long sleeve SPF clothing.

I would also suggest bringing lots of snacks to the beach.

[Arubagirl90]

Bring your kids and the grandparents too. This way you will have a good time and can enjoy some time alone and family time. Life is short and enjoy it while you can. We brought our daughter on her 1st trip at 9 months of age and my Aunt joined us for 2 weeks. We all had a great time. Sometimes my husband and I went out alone and my daughter and aunt stayed home. Most of the time we just all stayed together and they are great memories.
Things go remember bring orajel she cut many teeth in Aruba and I had none and it was hard to find in 1992. I brought swim diapers, sun floppy hat that covered neck, ears, and had a brim, baby safe sunglasses, a water float that she could sit in great for pool and water aerobics, baby sunblock, white long sleeve onesies worked great, and toys. I also brought a small collapsable stroller with a sunshade over the top, and my car seat/carrier. Our timeshare provided us with a crib, highchair,and a playpen. We did bring her food and diapers but could have gotten them on the island.
The kids often slept in the car seat or the stroller. Took naps in the afternoon in the shade. King sized sheet was great for the beach and allowed crawling minus the sand in the mouth. Swim diapers were great too, can buy on line or disposable at Walmart or Kmart.
We feed the kids before we went out to dinner so that we could go wherever to eat and chose a time that they would be in a good mood. Brought toys, books, etc. Never any problems. When older but still a little picky on eating, we would let them order dessert while we ate dinner and then a book or gameboy. By age 12 or so they wanted to eat the real food Madame Janette, Le Petite, La Dolce Vita, El Gaucho, Bella Luna, and the list goes on.
The vacation with a baby is a little different but still very fun. We did do less beach time and sunbathing. We toured the island more in the car. Went to bat caves, natural bridge, rock formations, gold mine ruins, baby beach, light house, etc. Took 400 photos of the kids and the island. Great memories and I would not change them for anything.
Well the kids are now 17 and 13 and still love going to Aruba and we have many wonderful memories from all of the family trips. Counting the days until our family trip in April 2010, my mom and grandma might come too.

That being said one year we went with two other couples for 2 weeks for an adult only vacation. We had a blast but did miss our kids but our friends had no children. My parents watched our kids age 18 months and 5 1/2 the first week and my husbands parents the 2nd week. The kids came the following year.

Have a great time and enjoy.

Jill