Family vacation to the tropics?

[dsaundry]

Don't know if I would do Jamaica with a 2 yr old, for that matter I don't think I would do anywhere on the Caribbean. It's asking a lot for a 2 yr old to be patient on the plane and not a lot for them to do. It's really geared for adults/teenagers+retired people. Sure the snorkling is fun, but unless your child is exceptionally gifted it's probably not the place for them. Not trying to burst your bubble or offend, just an opinion from a father of 4 who has travelled many times with kids, both good and bad experiences...

[digital-audiophile]

Originally Posted by dsaundry

Don't know if I would do Jamaica with a 2 yr old, for that matter I don't think I would do anywhere on the Caribbean. It's asking a lot for a 2 yr old to be patient on the plane and not a lot for them to do. It's really geared for adults/teenagers+retired people. Sure the snorkling is fun, but unless your child is exceptionally gifted it's probably not the place for them. Not trying to burst your bubble or offend, just an opinion from a father of 4 who has travelled many times with kids, both good and bad experiences...

This is my fear, but my wife has her heart set on somewhere tropical. Perhaps a good idea would be to get grandma and grandpa to care for my little peanut and the wife and I go

[dsaundry]

Yup, Grandparents were one of the best babysitter's and vacation savers we had when kids were very young. When they were older then not too much of a problem..the usual places, Disneyland, Oregon coast, Mexico, etc. Even the mighty West Edmonton Mall....Imo you would both enjoy yourselves a lot better without the little one on this trip....

[Marlin65]

Originally Posted by digital-audiophile

So I'm starting to put some thought into a winter vacation for the family and since I have never been anywhere tropical I am thinking about maybe Jamaica?

We need a family friendly resort as our daughter will only be just under 2 years old when we go.

Anywhere in the tropics where the wife can get her relaxing time on the beach and I can get in a little snorkeling would be awesome.

Any advice or suggestions of the best place for a young family.

He said family resort his wife wants to sit on the beach he wants to snorkel
I would think she would be okay with him snorkeling or maybe getting in a dive or who knows he could watch the kid while she dives.
Would you not do that for your spouse??

[dsaundry]

Don't think anybody said you were full of s**t. Looks like your kids are having fun. Big 2 yr olds though..Sure I don't mind watching kids either. Just seems to me that they might want to do stuff by themselves. There's family time and then there's together time..Just don't think you are going to get a lot of relaxing time with a 2yr old.

[Marlin65]

Yes I know big two year olds.
I could post a few more but some of you might not approve.
All kidding aside though I just don't want them to be discouraged. I for one have always taken my kids everywhere with me. Peace brother.

[dsaundry]

I hear you. Don't want to put them off the trip either. Just make sure they realize what a 2yr old can do, both on a vacation and don't forget the plane ride...ears a poppin..... I have first hand experience with that. I have had great experiences too, but they were a bit older....

[digital-audiophile]

LOL all the advice is appreciated We have thought about asking my parents if they would like to join us on a vacation as that would help spread they childcare work load around.

My biggest concern I do think is the travel time, our daughter has problems being confined to the car seat on a trip across the city to Golds let alone a plane flight

The trip out to Vancouver Island will be a good test to see how things go. My folks live in Quallicum Beach so we are going out to visit them.

[Delphinus]

Haha, I did that too (a "test trip vacation" out to the coast).

One idea I was banting about if I ever get to go somewhere nice again is that instead of getting 3 seats in a row on the plane, two together and the third in front of one of them. Like maybe two window seats. That way one of the parents can sit in the seat that's going to get kicked for the duration of the flight. Well, I guess it depends on how kind you want to be to strangers.

I guess my last piece of advice is don't be put off going - just go if you can. It's not so bad travelling with one kid .. now that I have two, I'm sort of facing the grim reality that I probably can't afford 4 airfares to anywhere anymore.