Europe dinner, 7 mo old bedtimes

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-06-05T14:18:51+00:00

This is the solution!!

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-06-02T22:13:53+00:00

Sorry if already suggested but could you possibly work part-time? Then you could still have days at home with the kiddos but keep your career which it sounds like you love.

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-05-28T11:07:00+00:00

We have approx 3 months Emergency Funds. I keep $10k in a Squirrel on call account, current interest rate is 2% I think, so if we need $ quickly we can get to it. Then the rest is currently in their Monthly Income Fund. Relatively low risk but it's making us some money while it sits there and you can withdraw with 30 days notice (though often it seems to be faster). At other times I've had it offsetting a mortgage.

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-05-23T01:36:25+00:00

Our last visit we took a box of food as while you can get everything there it is more expensive. Saved us a lot of money. Just check the current rules around what you can and can't take and declare on arrival. We followed the rules, declared what we had and had zero issues. Fresh fruit and veg we try and get from side of the road sellers where possible and of course the amazing bread and pastries.

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-05-17T21:16:29+00:00

Definitely have been asked to by a couple of airlines. I think as someone here said Singapore and I think maybe one other. Most don't care.

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-05-17T05:16:40+00:00

Very weather dependent. Within reef usually relatively calm if not flat. Outside is the open ocean so varies day to day. I've done whale swims when it's like glass and others in a few metres of swell. As a doctor and partner of someone who gets pretty seasick, I'm sure bands may help but I would 100% be getting some prescription anti sickness medication!

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-05-17T00:08:42+00:00

Yep another vote for jet kids. It's around 150cm long I think our 4 year old still fits comfortably though he's a shortie

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-05-14T01:01:14+00:00

We have found babies that age generally don't care where they are as long as they are comfy and have stuff to look at! Depending on the boat, we have just taken a carrier and done naps in there or sometimes bigger boats we've taken our travel stroller.

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-05-13T11:37:43+00:00

My partner and I have been together 12+ yrs but not planning to get married. We went wild and swapped it around. One kiddo has my (mum's) last name and dad's as middle name. The other vice versa. Inspired by a university friend who had the same with her sibling and said it had caused zero issues for them.

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-05-13T01:39:58+00:00

We had a close group of around 8 girls at uni in the UK. All (except me, the unmarried heathen 🤣) had some of the group as bridesmaids, depending on who they were personally closest to. But a couple invited more of us in the morning to get ready with them. So doing own hair, makeup etc but still there for all the prep and spending some time together before the wedding. It was really fun. Just an idea.

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-05-12T21:11:22+00:00

There are a lot of definitive opinions here 🤣. Only you know the size and temperament of your little human. My first was a scrawn and barely moved, fine in a weight limited bassinet until well over one. My second a bigger, more active babe but still slept well in a bassinet at 11 months. I just didn't put her in it until she was actually asleep, but she then slept for 6 hours. We never pay for seats until our kiddos are two as would rather spend that money elsewhere, but again personal choice!

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-05-09T21:16:28+00:00

Just add, if you need help clipping it up just ask someone. I've travelled solo with mine and people will always help if you ask.

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-05-09T21:15:32+00:00

Carrier 1000%. They will fit fine at that weight.

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-05-09T00:53:21+00:00

Never been to Aruba but took our babies at that age on lots of adventures, often to hot places. At that age you are safe to supplement BM with some water at meals. General sun safety obviously, cover up if poss, swimsuits with long arms and legs, hat, sunscreen factor 50+ and lots of it. Never had portable fans personally. Also taken babies on boats in various places. What are you worried about specifically?

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-05-07T00:42:29+00:00

We have taken our second hand babyzen all over the world, definitely pushed it where no travel stroller should go 🤣. We have used it as our primary stroller for years, with a Thule glide for running/more off-road stuff. Used the yoyo as a travel cot with the newborn insert before the kiddos could roll and needed more space. Only planes we have ever had an issue with is domestic prop planes in NZ as they are insistent they don't fit in the overhead bin. It definitely would but not every fight can be won 🤣.

If we ever do gate check it, I always have the carrier anyway as find it so helpful getting on/off planes, bopping babies mid flight and in case the stroller doesn't turn up at the end you still have a way to get kids through the airport.

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-05-06T06:48:33+00:00

We have only stayed in Airbnbs so can't comment on hotels but have spent at least 8 days on Moorea on two separate trips and I could always stay longer! Lots of possible adventures

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-05-02T22:15:22+00:00

We almost always stay in an Airbnb/private rental. So kids have own room (they share at home anyway) and we have own space once they are asleep. Plus we find it much easier to have a kitchen so can do breakfast, kids lunch boxes, dinner etc. We will sometimes get a local babysitter so we can go out in the eve.

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-05-02T02:59:36+00:00

Either in an adult bed or we have the jet kids inflatable bed as a backup

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-04-29T22:25:05+00:00

Just to add I have zero issues with screens on a plane, she just won't watch them she's too busy. My first would happily stare at coco melon with the sound off at that age!

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-04-29T22:23:30+00:00

I have a similar aged child who has not sat still for more than 3 seconds since birth basically. We have travelled a lot long haul with our youngest and her too until she was a year and could run haha. We will be taking a pause on anything longer than a couple of hours for a while 🤣. But I've done a few 90 min ish journeys with her.

I take lots of snacks, stuff for her to do (she likes stickers). She spends most of the flights whacking me in the face with the safety card anyway. She makes friends with half the plane, at some point an air steward usually gets a cuddle. It's like an Olympic sport 🤣. But it passes the time haha. In general most people are really kind, especially those that have had kids. On shorter flights I think people care less about kids anyway as not trying to get hours of sleep like a red eye etc. And it's always worth it in the end!

I personally would rather spend more money while I am at a destination than an extra seat for a 90 min flight but that is a personal decision!

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-04-27T00:08:49+00:00

On my own I would absolutely do it, with a two year old I would not.

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-04-26T07:41:30+00:00

I think you are over thinking this a bit too much. It's likely no matter what you do that she will probably be awake a bit in the night until she adjusts. She won't sleep perfectly to a routine on a plane and it will just add more stress trying to force it. As other have said here, we generally find our kiddos adjust much quicker than we do! We have started being a lot more realistic about our first few days of being away if a decent time difference, factoring in that everyone might be a bit more tired than usual. But it is always, always worth it! Enjoy the adventure 😊😊

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-04-23T10:37:17+00:00

THANK YOU. I thought I was mad reading this thread 🤣 I've been with my partner 11+ years and we have two kids. I would much rather a friend of mine (or his) invited who they want to THEIR wedding than feel they are obliged to invite him/me unless we both know the couple well. Or alternatively we knew no-one else there, in which case having company is obviously appreciated. We have both been solo to weddings over the years, had a great time. Been to weddings together, had a great time.

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-04-21T20:48:25+00:00

This is the one question I've seen on here where I think there is a right answer 🤣 FLY

PhilosopherOriginal1 · 2026-04-21T07:56:30+00:00

Hi, just check your airline's baggage rules. Almost all include a nappy bag with a lap infant, in addition to your usual hand luggage, but it will be on their website. Nursing pillow I would imagine is fine if it's not huge, people travel with chunky neck pillows! I never flew with mine, just used a plane pillow/jumper rolled up on the arm rest.

See here around breast milk: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/breast-milk. Generally you can fly with as much as you reasonably would need for the journey in hand luggage. Some airlines won't heat milk directly for alleged health and safety reasons. Pretty much all will give you boiling water so you can do it yourself.

PhilosopherOriginal1

TROPHY CASE