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Monday 5 January 2009

In a Dilemma

I'm a little troubled today.

As you know from here, I'm planning on taking my parents to Japan to view cherry blossoms this spring. The dilemma is this:

So far, only myself and my parents are going. But VT did hint that he wants to go.

Ok so if he goes, my MIL will have to take care of both the Bs full-time (day & night) for 7 to 8 days. I think it's too much for her. Solution: we'll take Bryan along.

If we take a hyper 2 1/2 year old along, can he tolerate all the "naik bas, turun bas" involved in taking a tour? What happens when it's time to leave a place and he refuses, and starts screaming? What happens if he poops in his pants on the bus, on a long journey up Mount Fuji? What if he goes beserk in the plane, being his first time on it?

I tried asking for a private tour but the tour operator told me that it is expensive and not worth it.

Pening only.......

32 comments:

Merryn said...

oh no... dun bring bryan along.. i've been to a tour to japan.. there is this family who brought along their 3 kids all below 6 years.. suffered i tell u.. ended up the mom got sick at the very last day.. tell u why, coz the bus journey from one place to another takes sooooo long n da only thing the kids are interested at is disneyland and universal studios which is at the beginning n end of the tour.. in between they got grumpy n tired n restless.. even i myself got restless in da bus during the long journey!

Mamalina said...

I would probably bring Sean along if I were you.
First, there are 4 adults and only 1 toddler. So not all the work would fall on you. Anyway, VT is so good at cleaning diapers. =D

Next, from my experience of flying with Sean. By this age, they can behave themselves enough that it's not a nightmare.

3rdly, you go and we learn from your experience ha ha ha .... =D

But if you don't take both of them along, why not give your MIL a short break when you come back from holiday. That way she won't mind taking care of them while you jalan2.

chooi peng said...

free and easy... you have full control of where to visit and of course, the time too!

bringing a toddler is not that difficult la, just that what you expect in your trip! of course, you cant do much in a day with a toddler tagging along, but holiday is to relax ma... why mush rush here and there for more spots.

LOL

chooi peng said...

oh ya, just assume it is a weekend day out like you all did in KL.

no worry, surely you will be back to Japan after your first visit! LOL

Anonymous said...

hi. if i were u, i wld bring my son along. japan is very baby/toddler friendly country. almost all the toilets have changing tables. most restaurants have kids' chairs n kids' meals. u cld get airfare/accomm package only, then get railpass (unlimited travel pass on JR trains and buses including shinkasen). u cld travel to neighbouring cities at your own timing.

jazzmint said...

hmm..it all depends on the schedule, if it's tight, it's gonna be tough to bring big B along cause kids usually can't tolerate going on high speed travelling and they'll start get cranky. Even going to Vietnam with Faythe weren't easy. We woke her up at 6am and she was like a dead fish sitting there cursing us LOL..

Maybe someone else can assist in taking care of them? Your close relative etc?

michelle@mybabybay said...

Bring a stroller and start training Bryan to sit in it!

Anonymous said...

if there are many adults, then it shouldnt be a problem. perhaps bring a baby sling so its more convenient, unless he is over 16kg liao then cannot use a sling. what about stroller? but he is flexible, then shd be ok. just gotta bring lots of ka chang for him lor, bottle, diaper,etc.

Irene said...

hmmm... a fren of mine wen Japan last year, told me there was tiz couple who bring their kids along, really keng ah. no breather. dont mean to scare you though.

maybe as wat others said, 4 adults vs 1 kid, shud be ok kua. ur mom is there, i bet she is a pro. i always feel at ease wen my mom is with me, wen we bring krystal out. haha!

good luck with yr decision :)

LittleLamb said...

if i were u, i will bring philip along. although it will be "sun-fu" a bit...but the smiles n time spent is worth it. :)

Mamalina said...

Oh yeah... think of the photo opportunities! =D

Japan is so beautiful... You'll get really nice family pictures. In the future Bryan will say, I went to Japan when I was 3 years old.. he he he...

I think can lah.... Sam's parents moved to Switzerland when Sam was 5 years old and his younger sister 3 months old.

2xMum said...

Oh my, you reminded me all the problems bringing a toddler along (which I chose to ignore them quite sometime)!

Well, I'm bringing my 1 yr old boy to HK next week without stroller... wish me good luck! :P

slavemom said...

I've no comments. I belong to the grp that thinks bringing young children on hol (esp those on tight schedules) is a super challenge. :p

Anonymous said...

It's not impossible but will be a great challenge. You know when something unexpected happen, everyone will look for the mommy.

Last time we went Japan on a private tour. It's possible. What sort of budget you have in mind? Maybe you could ask around other agents see if they could meet your budget?

Chinneeq said...

wah...so shiok!

NomadicMom said...

Dilemma!! Dilemma!
Sorry. I'm no help at all.

Health Freak Mommy said...

I brought Alycia and Sher to HK when they were 22 mths and 8 mths respectively. I didn't enjoy myself coz it was so stressful handling them w/o a maid. But I guess if your parents are travelling with you, it would be easier. At least they can help out a bit. If Bryan poo poos in the bus, wipe with wet wipes lor and bring a bottle of water-free hand sanitizer with you. Or you can buy a portable potty (if Bryan is potty trained already). I've seen one at Safe n Sound. I almost bought it last time. You can also buy a portable DVD player and bring lots of Bryan's favorite DVDs along to let him watch during the plane and bus rides!

Anonymous said...

wow...see all the comments from the mommies? guess you can bring bryan along cos you have a few pairs of hands helping you :D shireen's advice are very helpful ;)

Anonymous said...

oh, why don't u visit japan next spring?! he'll be a big boy & i'll be his baby sitter! i mean we'll return to tokyo this may. by the way, how are u??

Anonymous said...

oh sorry, sooner is better for u..! ok, Obama here says "YES WE CAN!"

chanelwong said...

i agree with chooi peng..go for free and easy ...n bring your boy along lar...

Jacss said...

p.ling, i think u worry too much. like so many said, there r 4 pairs of lovely hands to rotate handling him so u won't hv to bear all d troubles!!
dun bring him, yr mind will be bother with worries if yr MIL can survive...
but bring him, u will hv more challenges of course... so it's always pros & cons..
do a little extra preparation esp. medicine & oth necessities!
but i would say u will survive & be back with sweet memories!!
good luck!

Anonymous said...

Hehe you won't know till you try, right? That's the FUN part of being a parent...
But on the other hand, won't you miss Bryan if you don't bring him along?

Kristie said...

is this going to be Bryan's first trip? maybe it wont be that bad after all? :)

LHS said...

emm..maybe just your parents go...:)

Anonymous said...

Hello, hello! I'd say bring him along too although I'd feel sad about leaving the little one at home...

Anyways, bring Bryan along! Although it was a bit tough taking Lucas to HK with us, at the end of the day, it was all worth it. You can divide him among the 3 of you :)

There will be times when the ride is too long but you can always:
a) let him run up and down the bus to burn off energy
b) scribble on some paper
c) watch shows on a portable DVD player (good idea!)
d) check out sights from the window
e) read some books?
f) sing nursery rhymes together
g) play "I spy"
f) play with toys - a good trick is to divide and hide light toys. He can be surprised with one when he's acting up...

Don't worry ya. Just be prepared for anything! Check out this post for the plane ride: http://apregnantpause.net/2008/01/08/travelling-with-a-toddler/

Flying is not a problem as Lucas was *very* excited on his first trip and the TV console, food tray and buttons kept him entertained. Just time his nap to coincide with the flight as he'll knock off after the meal :)

mom2ashley said...

I think you should bring Bryan along and share the load between your mil and you guys so that both sides will be happy. Besides he is 2.5 yo. You can psych him up for the trip and promise to get him a pressie or something if he is a good boy.... Good boy meaning (u lay down your terms but hv to be reasonable also la). Besides thwre will be 4 adults so you all can take turns to entertain him. Make sure u bring his toys and if he loves to watch cartoons, it'd help if you bring a portable DVD.... Good luck! I think its nice that you're bringing your parents for a holiday...

Alice Law said...

Ohhh~! It's so nice of you to buy your parents a trip to Japan, how I wish I can do that for my mom! ToT

I would like to bring my girl if I were you, lol! It's will be a wonderful experience and nevertheless a good bonding too!

Reanaclaire said...

gosh.. as for me, a no no for small kids.. after all, they do not know what is happening..and your kid might end up being stressful..


reanaclaire.com

javapot said...

I say GO!!! It'll be ok. Your son will enjoy it esp. the plane and bus rides. Just make sure you bring a light stroller just in case he is tired.

Yee Ling said...

Yea, when it comes to a long vacation, tagging small kids can be a lil hectic.

Just hope for the best, dont think too much but enjoy the trip.

P/s : my first time ere too. Thanks for dropping by my blog.

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