Are we mad? France with a 11 month old

[Vimbus]

Looking for a little advise fellow Funsters.

Our little monkey will be 11 months old in April and I'm starting to plan our next jaunt to Euroland.

The plan to is head over to France via St Malo and either tour Brittany for two weeks, or head to the Pyrenees.

Does anyone have any advise for coping with a little one abroad?

The ferry won't be booked until we've completed a 'successful' dry run here first.

We are planning to restrict our driving to no more than 2-3 hours per day. Ideally we'd still like to use the aires so I guess we will park up, go exploring and try to wear the little one out.

 

[Mel]

Cant give you any tips.
Never done it with small kids.
But enjoy every min.
Best of luck should be a great holiday.
some very nice Aires .

Mel

 

[Wildbill]

just much the same a at home do keep his rotten as near as possible bed time diner time.
you will probably find he will sleep when you are driving if he has a nap in the after none that's the time to move.
Many year's ago we went with two children under five with a trailer tent
we had a grate time but not without it's moment's
We went to France and Belgium with jay age 2.3/4 when we first got him in a small tent we had a grate time.
so in a motorhome no problem
bill

 

[carolyn]

One of those small inflatable paddling pools, also doubles up as a bath. Even on campsites they come in handy as the water in some French pools can be quite chilly. You can also put it under the awning for shade.

 

[TerryL]

I've always found the French love kids.

As bill says, try and keep to any routine that's been established.

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[Puddleduck]

Just go for it. You will find that you make lots of friends as other people on the aires / sites / whatever will be across to make a fuss of the little one.

The paddling pool idea is great.

I think you will find children are better tolerated on the continent that at home.

 

[Judge Mental]

No not mad......... we did the same in a VW pop top with a baby and an 18 month year old. didn't think twice about it to be honest....

 

[Chris]

Just go for it.

Kids have to fit into your routine at some point, so a holiday is a good start.

We didn't have a motorhome when ours were that young, I think my daughter was about 3 1/2.when we started.

We flew to Tobago though when she was about 8 months old and the flight was a bit of a pain but the holiday was great.

 

[Carol]

Just do it many many years ago we started off the eldest was 3 youngest 3 months old, think they thought everyone had a caravan or Campervan they grew up never knowing any different way of holidaying.

 

[laneside]

We have no young children nowadays but love France, if you are happy taking them in the van in England the think ten times nicer and that is France

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[hilldweller]

As long as you are satisfied you can transport little monkey is a crash safe manner.

 

[Peter & Elaine]

We did it with a 15 foot caravan 2 kids 2 year old and 3 year old girls
no money no idea disasters ever other day
It was fantastic one of best holidays we had and still laugh about today
Enjoyed it so much went and did again

 

[callumwa]

We have done many holidays when the children were little, from as young as 6 months on a 4 week trip to the Pyrenees and northern Spain. We had a great time.

Ours used to nod off and sleep most of the time whilst we were driving.
The great thing with a motorhome is you can sit beside them when travelling and keep them entertained playing games and there is plenty of space for all the bits and pieces you need for a little one. You can also stop any time you like for feeds, nappy changes etc in comfort.

Just make sure the kids seat is secured properly with a 3 point belt.

We also used to (and still do) take an inflatable paddling pool. The little ones love it.

Go for it, you will have a wonderful time.......

 

[Allanm]

The problem us, they love it. First went to St Malo when our daughter was 6 months old. Now she's 22, she still wants to come with us!
My advice? Don't plan too much, but if you do, be prepared to change at a moments notice.
Great times ahead!
Allan

 

[Puddleduck]

Now she's 22, she still wants to come with us!

Ours is 26 (27 in April) and also drops big hints. She would also like to borrow the motorhome, no chance.

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[Cat53]

We caravaned in Switzerland for 3 weeks with a 18 month old. She is now 36 had a wonderful time. Then took her and an 8 month old to Belguim and Holland. Also wonderful. Relax, be flexible, enjoy.

 

[Judge Mental]

No not mad......... we did the same in a VW pop top with a baby and an 18 month year old. didn't think twice about it to be honest....

and 7 months previous to that, when wife found out she was pregnant with our second child, we went on a 6 week fly drive tour of California with an 11 month old toddler...To be honest it was easy. we would go out to dinner and she would sleep in the pushchair. made some great friends, babies like dogs great conversation openers lol

don't think travel does anyone any harm..quite the opposite. Pic of them in italy 2 years ago

 

[Carol]

and 7 months previous to that, when wife found out she was pregnant with our second child, we went on a 6 week fly drive tour of California with an 11 month old toddler...To be honest it was easy. we would go out to dinner and she would sleep in the pushchair. made some great friends, babies like dogs great conversation openers lol

don't think travel does anyone any harm..quite the opposite. Pic of them in italy 2 years ago

What a beautiful photo, bet you are a proud dad.

 

[Judge Mental]

I am indeed they are great kids, but my daughters got a HELL of a temper...not sure where she got it from

I was always self employed and wife works in education so got away at every opportunity. Got to the stage "Oh Dad! PLEASE do we have to go to france again!" they just wanted to spend a summer at home which thy have never done!lol

 

[Soozywoozy]

Great idea. Make sure you all have an EHIC card to cover for health. Babies as you know can be unreliable on the illness front, so make sure you have all your supporting documents and have an amazing time.
Not sure if nappies are cheaper in France ( got a feeling they are), but maybe worth getting one of the MHF to have a look in leclerc etc and same for baby milk.- not sure France does SMA/ aptimil.

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