Parents... your kids' first vacations???

crimzy

crimzy

Active Member
After considering everything, the wife and I decided not to go to Cancun in July. So we discussed everything at length, and eventually decided to bring the rugrats on vacation with us. So we are taking them to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in May.
I am very anxious about the trip. We have never taken the kids on a plane before, this is a bit unnerving. My kids will be 3.5 and just under 2 when we go. Where was the first place you took your kids, and how old were they?
I'm also excited to do a scuba dive there as I understand that there are some nice wrecks with lots of stingrays and a few turtles/sharks/eels. I know the water will be cold... may rent a drysuit if things are too bad. Anyone else ever scuba there?
Just wondering about others' experiences???
 
reefraff

reefraff

Active Member
Originally Posted by crimzy
http:///forum/post/2989018
After considering everything, the wife and I decided not to go to Cancun in July. So we discussed everything at length, and eventually decided to bring the rugrats on vacation with us. So we are taking them to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in May.
I am very anxious about the trip. We have never taken the kids on a plane before, this is a bit unnerving. My kids will be 3.5 and just under 2 when we go. Where was the first place you took your kids, and how old were they?
I'm also excited to do a scuba dive there as I understand that there are some nice wrecks with lots of stingrays and a few turtles/sharks/eels. I know the water will be cold... may rent a drysuit if things are too bad. Anyone else ever scuba there?
Just wondering about others' experiences???
At those ages I doubt the kids will really remember the experience so if it is going to put a big dent in your vacation and you have family you and the kids are comfortable with I would leave them. The kids would honestly probably get a bigger kick out of staying with gramma than sitting in a hotel room.
Marriage #1 came with a 2.75 year old and he didn't really get into vacation until he was 4 or 5. We took him on every one except the honeymoon and until he was a little older he was kinda oblivious the the sites and attractions. If you were going to a big zoo or something it would probably be different but this seems like a more adult oriented vacation. JMHO>
 
ruaround

ruaround

Active Member
my daughters first plane ride was at 9 mos... then at 2... both flights were uneventful... my sons first flight was at 10 mos and then at 3... when we took off when he was 3 he threw his hands into the air and yelled "TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!"... get a PSP or a DVD player... now flying to my kids is second nature... they went to the bahams last year... and are going to Mexico this summer... my daughter has already traveld to more places than i have...
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
We have been taking our kids since they were 9 mo old and up. We have mostly driven though. lots of camping, trips out west. We have been to almost every state in the US. I did a 24 hr flight with a 20 mo old. He did great. We have only been on one vacation without kids in 11 yrs.
I agree, take a dvd player, color books, magna doodle, small containers of playdooh, snacks. Pack a small backpack for each with thier busy stuff.
T
 
blayz77

blayz77

Member
we took our son to maryland last year for thanksgiving he was 11 months at the time. we thought we would be slick and take a red eye flight that left at like 10pm we figured he would be super tired since he was going to bed aorund 7 pm.
that kinda backfired since everything was new to him and the airport being as noisy as it is by the time we got on the plane he was way past tired and was real cranky and he was crying so loud.
we were gonna get off the plane and when we got to the door one of the stewardes talked us into staying and said thats what babies do blah blah.. so we went back to our seats and toughed it out. i just felt bad for everyone else who had to hear it thats why i wanted to leave.. im just like that i guess if he acts up in a resteraunt or somehtign i will take him outside till he calms down cause i feel its disrespectful to everyone around you if you let your kids run wild and act up.
on the flight back thoguh it was a breeze we took an earlier flight and left at like 6pm so by the time we took off it was about his bed time and he was already settled and in his seat. he slept for most of the flight back. once he started getting cranky i was better prepared.. while in maryland i put some cartoons he liked on my iphone, i just put the cartoons on and it kept him nice and queit. heheh
by the end of this year he should be a pro at flying as i think he will be going back east 3 times this year.
+1 for some sort of movie player.. having a couple things to keep them busy is a must.
 
groupergenius

groupergenius

Active Member
Kids allways on Vacation with us. Scuba with me when they were 4 and 6 years old. Hanging on my back sucking on octos. First flight for either one was past the age of 17 for both.
Why leave the "Sunshine State"?
 
t316

t316

Active Member
Too young IMO...They won't remember a thing and will just hinder your vacation, unless you are going to give me the "T316 tough guy" parenting talk here again. There are many other things that you could come up with that would make their summer "grand", and you and the wife could enjoy this vacation to SC alone. Trust me, it won't be much longer before it's not a choice and they WILL be along. You will wish you had these chances for the two of you again. It goes in cycles I think...we dream of kids, we
, then at some point we say
, then when their gone we
. Just my .02
 
crimzy

crimzy

Active Member
Originally Posted by T316
http:///forum/post/2989868
Too young IMO...They won't remember a thing and will just hinder your vacation, unless you are going to give me the "T316 tough guy" parenting talk here again. There are many other things that you could come up with that would make their summer "grand", and you and the wife could enjoy this vacation to SC alone. Trust me, it won't be much longer before it's not a choice and they WILL be along. You will wish you had these chances for the two of you again. It goes in cycles I think...we dream of kids, we
, then at some point we say
, then when their gone we
. Just my .02
This was the debate with my wife and I. The question really was whether we would have a better time with the kids or without. At the end of the day, regardless of whether the kids remember this trip, I'll have a better time with the kids. Myrtle beach is a quick plane ride for us and, from everything I've heard and read, it is a very family friendly place. If we went there and it was all families, I'd miss my girls like crazy. I think it will be a lot of fun to take the girls on their first plane ride, take them to the aquarium and the amusement park. The fact that I can't go out and get drunk at night is not really much of a sacrifice for us. My dad told me that his greatest memories are of taking his kids on vacations. I'm actually pretty excited about it.
 
t316

t316

Active Member
I understand your thought process but two things come to mind...
1) Myrtle Beach is not all "family" friendly. If you have mapped out your stay, then yes, there are spots. But Myrtle Beach in the summer is a hot spot, but May might be tamer, doubtful, but possible.
2) I reiterate, enjoy these times with your wife while you have them, as they will surely disappear. All of my vacations now are with all 3 kids, but I relish the days when it was just the two of us (companionship and costs). Speaking of costs, I have just now entered the days of no more kids meals. Went out the other night and the bill was $74, and this was no adult drinks (I had water)....
And this was not even a high end place, just a $10-$12 meal joint....

With all that said, if you have a different time set aside for you and the wifey, then bring the kiddo's on this one, but if this is the yearly vacation then enjoy while you can. The girls will have just as much fun staying at Grandma's house, or whatever plans you arrange.
 
socal57che

socal57che

Active Member
I love going places with my kids.
now that they are older.
I would never bring a 2yr old and a 3 yr old along, on a trip like this.
They won't remember it.
Your wife will hate it.
The reason your dad was cool with it is probably beacuse your mom took care of the not so fun parts of having the kids along. (but maybe not)
We took annual trips to the St Louis Zoo and, while it was fun, NONE of the kids remember it. We may as well have camped out in the back yard.
You might well spend the entire trip tending to your kids 24/7.
The pics are cool when you sift through them years later.
 
jemshores

jemshores

Member
Originally Posted by crimzy
http:///forum/post/2989018
After considering everything, the wife and I decided not to go to Cancun in July. So we discussed everything at length, and eventually decided to bring the rugrats on vacation with us. So we are taking them to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in May.
I am very anxious about the trip. We have never taken the kids on a plane before, this is a bit unnerving. My kids will be 3.5 and just under 2 when we go. Where was the first place you took your kids, and how old were they?
I'm also excited to do a scuba dive there as I understand that there are some nice wrecks with lots of stingrays and a few turtles/sharks/eels. I know the water will be cold... may rent a drysuit if things are too bad. Anyone else ever scuba there?
Just wondering about others' experiences???

Is there a 5th person you can take with you to watch the kids so you and the wife can have some adult time? Especially when you go diving/snorkling? You could spend the days doing family stuff and have the evenings to yourselves!! A few anyway!
 
crimzy

crimzy

Active Member
Originally Posted by T316
http:///forum/post/2989940
With all that said, if you have a different time set aside for you and the wifey, then bring the kiddo's on this one, but if this is the yearly vacation then enjoy while you can. The girls will have just as much fun staying at Grandma's house, or whatever plans you arrange.
Yeah, fortunately wife and I do get some time together. Our families are very helpful and take the kids overnight periodically. Besides this, I still anticipate taking a weekend away with just my wife.
Originally Posted by jemshores
http:///forum/post/2990012
Is there a 5th person you can take with you to watch the kids so you and the wife can have some adult time? Especially when you go diving/snorkling? You could spend the days doing family stuff and have the evenings to yourselves!! A few anyway!
Yeah, we are bringing another friend, who also has a 3 year old girl. Our girls always have a blast playing together.
 
kjr_trig

kjr_trig

Active Member
Originally Posted by crimzy
http:///forum/post/2989018
After considering everything, the wife and I decided not to go to Cancun in July. So we discussed everything at length, and eventually decided to bring the rugrats on vacation with us. So we are taking them to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in May.
I am very anxious about the trip. We have never taken the kids on a plane before, this is a bit unnerving. My kids will be 3.5 and just under 2 when we go. Where was the first place you took your kids, and how old were they?
I'm also excited to do a scuba dive there as I understand that there are some nice wrecks with lots of stingrays and a few turtles/sharks/eels. I know the water will be cold... may rent a drysuit if things are too bad. Anyone else ever scuba there?
Just wondering about others' experiences???
Ah Myrtle Beach SC....The Redneck Riviera...."K-Mart by the Sea"......An excellent choice

Go to Charleston Crimzy.
 
D

dragonzim

Active Member
Originally Posted by Blayz77
http:///forum/post/2989578
we took our son to maryland last year for thanksgiving he was 11 months at the time. we thought we would be slick and take a red eye flight that left at like 10pm we figured he would be super tired since he was going to bed aorund 7 pm.
that kinda backfired since everything was new to him and the airport being as noisy as it is by the time we got on the plane he was way past tired and was real cranky and he was crying so loud.
we were gonna get off the plane and when we got to the door one of the stewardes talked us into staying and said thats what babies do blah blah.. so we went back to our seats and toughed it out. i just felt bad for everyone else who had to hear it thats why i wanted to leave.. im just like that i guess if he acts up in a resteraunt or somehtign i will take him outside till he calms down cause i feel its disrespectful to everyone around you if you let your kids run wild and act up.
.
Ah, so you're the guy that EVERYONE on the plane hates!
 
crimzy

crimzy

Active Member
Originally Posted by kjr_trig
http:///forum/post/2990160
Ah Myrtle Beach SC....The Redneck Riviera...."K-Mart by the Sea"......An excellent choice

Go to Charleston Crimzy.
Aaahhh yes... the familiar character to the boards. It's the "I have a better idea" guy. Let's not mention that he completely ignored my previous thread where I was looking for recommendations on vacation spots. But now, after everything is booked and paid for, he comes in with his "better idea".
Kirk, don't take this wrong because it's not always you... but "I have a better idea" guy definitely deserves a beating.
 
kjr_trig

kjr_trig

Active Member
Originally Posted by crimzy
http:///forum/post/2990187
Aaahhh yes... the familiar character to the boards. It's the "I have a better idea" guy. Let's not mention that he completely ignored my previous thread where I was looking for recommendations on vacation spots. But now, after everything is booked and paid for, he comes in with his "better idea".
Kirk, don't take this wrong because it's not always you... but "I have a better idea" guy definitely deserves a beating.

Hey, unlike you whom checks SWF.com during a deposition, I don't actually log on when I'm giving a golf lesson to see if I'm missing anything....I do miss the occasional thread.

I think Myrtle has more strip bars per capita than anywhere in the world
 
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