Road Trip w/ kids, w/o DP

[runnerbrit]

Would you do it? We have a 5 day family road trip planned. My husband just found out he may not be able to go do to work. We have a 9 yr old boy, 7 yr old boy and 1 month old girl. I would drive 3 hours the first evening to stay in a friend's condo. The next day we would drive another 3 hours to Santa Cruz where we would stay 3 nights in a cabin in the red woods. (The cabin is one of 14 on a 7 acre property) We plan to go to the boardwalk and do some light hiking in the Big Basin Redwoods. Then we would head home stopping in Monterey for one night to go to the aquarium.

I feel very comfortable with taking the kids and doing the trip on my own if I have to. (The kids hae been looking forward to the trip all summer.) However, my hubby and I are starting to get a bit of flack from family about all the dangers and what-ifs. So, would you do it? Or would you cancel the trip?

[2shy2post]

Yup!

Would, have, am, will do again. We're actually on a trip right now!

I got flack from people too. Think about it ~ no matter WHAT you do, someone will have an opinion about it. I guarantee that if you cancel all the opinions about how you should have done it will come out!

We have a 5yo and 3.5yo and a 36' travel trailer. I take the kids a lot without DH. Sometimes he joins us on the weekends. For longer trips ~ he does some flying in & out to accomodate. Sometimes its just the kids & I. (and the dog!)

Looks like you've done a good job of keeping the driving time to a minimum, which is fabulous. Do whatever you need to do to keep things as simple & carefree as possible. Use disposable things if necessary, premade food, wear clothes multiple days in a row, etc.

My answer when people worry about our travel plans: "I have everything I need; a cell phone and MasterCard!"

ENJOY!!!!! :

[jewelsJZ]

I'd do it. I've done it. My car is fairly new and thus reliable, but if not, I have AAA and a cell phone. Otherwise, I try to be safe and sensible, like I always park in well-lit areas if it's dark. I have a travel toilet in my car in case I can't find a place I feel comfortable stopping, that feels safe.
You are staying with friends the first night and then will be around other vacationers, likely families, so it sounds good to me. Your baby will sleep much of the time so that sounds like a perfect time to travel.
Go, have fun, ignore the negative relatives!

[april77]

I would do it. I travel alone with the kids more than I do with dh. It freaks out the grandparents though, so I know what you mean about the comments.

[Lingmom]

I've done it before and it's fine... I drove last year from San Diego to Seattle with the kids and had a nice time. Probably even nicer than I would have if I had my partner with me!