Long flight with 2 small kids

My inlaws are proposing this huge family vacation next summer. It would be the 2 of them, their 4 kids and all of us spouses, and the 8 grandchildren. They want to go to Hawaii. Next August, when my inlaws want to go, my older DS will be 3, my younger DS will be 17 months. That sounds like the most horrible 11 hours of my life on a plane. This is there idea- fly out to San Francisco on a red eye Saturday night into Sunday morning. Stay in SF for 3 nights, adjust to a 3 hour difference, explore, etc. Fly to Hawaii on Wednesday, this way they are only having to adjust to 3 hours at a time. Stay in Hawaii for a week, fly to Los Angeles on Wednesday, stay there until Saturday, fly back to NY on the red eye Saturday night into Sunday. That sounds like pure CHAOS to me but DH is really excited and all for it. I feel like a trip to Hawaii should be saved until the boys are much older- I was thinking like 8 & 10, so they could REALLY enjoy it. Next summer we were just thinking of continuing our tradition of going to Maine. When they are this small, I feel like those kind of low key trips are enough. The big fancy trips can come when they are older. Thoughts?

Long flight with 2 small kids

I agree with you. That is not the kind of trip i would want to take with 2 little kids. Your MIL seems to be making it more complicated with all the stops and overnights. My MIL suggested going to Italy next April and my DD would be almost 3 and I said no way.

Re: Long flight with 2 small kids

It actually sounds like an awesome trip to me!! Depending on what time your flights are, I'm sure your DC will sleep most of the way... just bring lots of things to entertain them. I'm sure you'll have an amazing time and it sounds like you'd have a lot of helping hands. I would go!

Long flight with 2 small kids

That's a very long flight with a 3yr & 17month old. I just did a 3 hr flight with my 19month old and it felt like days!! With that being said, if I was going to do it, I'd probably prefer less overnights. I'd rather get DD settled at our destination rather than in and out of various hotels.

Re: Long flight with 2 small kids

My best friend did Hawaii with her then 4 and 3 year olds and it wasn't as bad as they thought.

I agree with the pp that it sounds like a lot of movement though.

I'd totally go though

Re: Long flight with 2 small kids

I would honestly just go....if you miss out on this trip who is the say if the same trip would be offered to you when your kids are older. At this age your kids are still taking naps so you will get some down time and while the plane rides might be long and somewhat trying think of the fun you will have when you get there.

I have been traveling with my kids since they were infants - only on 7 hour flights but still I would definitely do an 11 hour flight with them and suffer the consequences for the destination.

Go!!

PS just thinking I may have read your post too quickly are your in laws paying for the trip or just proposing it and you guys will be paying for it?

Message edited 6/22/2013 9:50:09 AM.

Long flight with 2 small kids

Haha who's paying? That would certainly help me decide!

Re: Long flight with 2 small kids

Long flight with 2 small kids

They are paying for everything but DH & I will pay for our food, there is no way we will allow them to pay for all 4 of us to eat for 2 weeks. They are being generous enough! I just think, while I get that they want to transition the kids slowly into the time change, all of those stops in Cali going and coming is just SO much chaos!

Re: Long flight with 2 small kids

Honestly you have to go!!! and you get to see San Fran and LA too!!! I would have to go if they are paying...BUT I am not you and you know your own comfort zone.

PS I wish I had in laws like yours

Re: Long flight with 2 small kids

Posted by beachgirl

Honestly you have to go!!! and you get to see San Fran and LA too!!! I would have to go if they are paying...BUT I am not you and you know your own comfort zone.

PS I wish I had in laws like yours

Re: Long flight with 2 small kids

I think it sounds great! I would not not go bc I was worried about flights and what you think they would enjoy. At that age, they enjoy all types of things and will have fun just being with their parents, grandparents, cousins, etc. While so many hours on a plane can be stressful, you don't really know how it will be so I personally wouldn't stop ourselves from doing something because of how they might be on a plane.

I think the bigger question is whether you actually really want to go, yourself, and spend that much time with your in-laws and DH's family. I normally would not hesitate to say yes to a trip to Hawaii but.....if it was my MIL saying we should go, I'd probably find excuses as to why it wouldn't be a good idea.

Re: Long flight with 2 small kids

As long as they were paying, i'd go!! DD will be 19 months when we are invited to a destination wedding in Hawaii and I have never been there. I would take DD in a heartbeat, although the air travel IS long... but we don't have the $$.

Long flight with 2 small kids

I would go. We're thinking of going while DD is young too. I don't know about breaking the flights up. I would probably take a flight with a stopover so we can all get out and stretch, but get it done in one day.

Re: Long flight with 2 small kids

I fly with my two little kids all the time, it's only a few hours out of out life, and it's a bit tedious but no big deal. I would totally do it!

Re: Long flight with 2 small kids

I would totally go!!!! You never know what life has in store and when the kids are "older", may be too late.

I can see why the transitions would be bothersome, but I would look more at it as days hanging by the hotel pool and letting the kids nap.

Long flight with 2 small kids

Are they paying? If they are I would consider it, but for me those time changes would not be worth it. I fly with my kids a lot and when I go to NM to visit my brother a 2 hr difference is a lot for them. My kids tend to go to bed on the earlier side though so figure bed time for my youngest is normally 6-7 so generally whiny about 5 anyway..all that starts 2 hrs early. If they were more of the night owl type it definitely would be easier.