HI All,

I want to take my kids to Washington DC this summer to see the Nation's Capitol and the Smithsonian, but my parent's are trying to talk me out of it. I haven't travelled this far without support before. The kids are 9 now, but they are also still not the best at staying with me in public and following directions. I can see why they are concerned, and I suspect it will be challenging, but I feel it is something they would really enjoy, and I hope to build some more confidence in myself along the way.

I have invited my folks to come along, but they would rather I leave the kids with them and go alone. That totally defeats the purpose in my book. Just because I'm a single-parent doesn't mean I should be a hermit.

What are your thoughts? I need to book the hotel soon, as the rooms are filling up fast.

Thanks so much!

~Heather~
Single Mom to Triplets,
Shawn, Travis & Natalie (12/00)
"Where does the time go?"

We are heading to DC in June If you think you are up for it, I say go for it!

Deb
Son, 12
GGB, 10

Absolutely you should go. You will have a blast!!!

Michele
Sarah, Gregory, Amanda
born 1/22/04 at 35w1d

Our surprise baby Austin born 06/15/2005

www.fourtimesthefun.blogspot.com

I would plan on doing it, and book the hotel room, but make sure it has a cancellation policy too, just in case. In the meantime, is there a smaller overnight trip you could do with the kids? see how well they stay with you and listen. what ideas do they have for everyone sticking together (make them part of the process)? and practice what to do if you get separated?

we live in the DC area and I have no problem taking my little ones on the metro and to the museums etc by myself, but they do stay with me. DC gets very crowded, especially the museums, on the weekends and during the holidays when school is out. it could be very easy to get separated among the crowds. I'm not saying this to stop you from coming- the trip is certainly doable and I'd recommend trying it; but you and the kids really should sit down and discuss a plan for staying together/getting lost. Perhaps even a child alarm as a backup.

you could also make the area your base, and do various side-trips from here if DC turns out to be too hard- Williamsburg and Jamestown are interesting and just a couple hours drive, and Mount Vernon is just a few minutes from DC. they get crowded, but it's not as congested.

have fun!

Mary

born 12/12/04 33w2d

I am not a single Mom, so I cannot know exactly what you are going through. I am a HUGE advocate for travel, however, so I say a hearty "go for it!"

Tara

Mom to BBG born at 33wks on 4/3/03

I think you should do it. What's that saying, "expect the best but prepare for the worst". As long as you know it might be a tough trip, it will probably be easier than you thought. You will be giving them a great gift allowing them to see our nation's capitol. Hopefully that will make learning about it in school more meaningful too. Also, family trips are a great way to get to know each other better.

As for your parents, I would drop the kids off there for a few days after your trip. It seems like we always need a few days to recover after a big family trip. Shame on them for discouraging you.

Andi
g/b/g
6 yr old triplets

Thank you everyone for your advise and feedback. I've actually decided to forego this trip because my brother and his wife are expecting their second child in June, and I want to have enough money to go visit.

My folks have offered to watch the kids so I can go to this event in August, but I really think if I am going to Washington, they should come with me.

Again, thanks for your input. I appreciate it.

~Heather~
Single Mom to Triplets,
Shawn, Travis & Natalie (12/00)
"Where does the time go?"

I would LOVE To take my 8 1/2 year old dds to D.C.! I took them to Mexico City when they were 5 years old, along with my two older dds who were 6 and 8 at the time. They got on the metro, climbed the pyramids. It was fantastic!! We are heading to NYC this coming July.

I would say D.C. is totally doable with 9 year olds. Maybe you can take your kids next year when they're 10 years old since you've cancelled your upcoming trip. -- Gloria

I would take them and I would take them alone. They are 9 not 9 mo. If your parents want to come alone great! More to learn from. But if they are going to be slick in the muds and make it miserable then leave them home. You are capable of taking your kids alone.

Tasha
Have children afraid of monsters or just looking for a fun kids app? http://www.goawaymonster.com/

We took our foursome to DC when they were 5 and 7 and they LOOOOVED it. I think kids do a better job of staying close in an unfamiliar environment; do you find that? ANyway, we rode the Metro in and out every day and those kids walked and walked and walked and never once complained. They liked some odd things I didn't expect, like the Viet Nam Memorial.

I laughed when I saw your post because my mom tried to talke us out of it - they were too young, they wouldn;t be intereted, blah, blah, blah - it was one of the best experiences in their little lives!

Go!

Ali
Jack, 8 1/2
Abraham, Dylan and Zane 6 1/2
and now . . . . Tobias, new last June!

I think you need to go. I have a very good friend who has 7 year old twin boys. Her husband is a college coach so is gone all the time for games and then recruiting. She has traveled by herself, driving and flying, with them all over the country since they were 3. It's doable. I suspect it is like anything else -- you'll just have to learn some of it as you go along.

Susanne

gbg @ 31.6
5/2006