All kinds of families?

[msmama]

Hi all,

Keep coming back to researching ABD trips. It's just my 5 year old son and I (would be at least 6 by the time we travelled anywhere). Would we be odd ones out being such a small family?

Since it is just the 2 of us, I like the idea of a tour so that both of us have the opportunity for interaction with other people rather than being 1 on 1 all the time.

I'm toying with England and France, which I know I could do for half the price (or less) by myself. But having entertainment for him that I don't need to provide is probably worth even more than that!

Also, I know many of the tours say minimum age is 4, recommended is 6+. In your experiences, are there kids towards the lower end or mostly older?

Any thoughts or experiences?

 

[SingingMom]

Hi all,

Keep coming back to researching ABD trips. It's just my 5 year old son and I (would be at least 6 by the time we travelled anywhere). Would we be odd ones out being such a small family?

Since it is just the 2 of us, I like the idea of a tour so that both of us have the opportunity for interaction with other people rather than being 1 on 1 all the time.

I'm toying with England and France, which I know I could do for half the price (or less) by myself. But having entertainment for him that I don't need to provide is probably worth even more than that!

Also, I know many of the tours say minimum age is 4, recommended is 6+. In your experiences, are there kids towards the lower end or mostly older?

Any thoughts or experiences?

Just my humble opinion, but having been on the Knights & Lights trip last May, I tend to think age 6 is a little young for the activities on that tour. It was very rich in history. Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, the Arch de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Versailles, the Louvre were fascinating, but I think it could be a bit tiresome after a while for a 6 year old.
On our trip, we had a 9 year old, a 12 year old, and our daughter, who was almost 19 at the time.

Last week we did the Once Upon a Fairytale AbD to Germany. The youngest was almost 7. We had 8 younger children, 4 teenagers, and three college age in the group. This trip had more activities that I think were more suited for all ages.

Some of the western US tours sound like they have fun activities for the younger set, too.

Have fun picking!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[familygoboston]

On our two ABDS we had single dad with one child, aunt with nephew, grandparent with one grandchild, we had grandparents with one grandchild, grandparents and aunt with one child, a child free couple on their 30 th anniversary trip, several families of grandparents, parents and the kids, parents with teen who was the last of 7 kids (the other unlucky six were home with their own families) Ive read reviews with same sex families or partners on trips- everyone comfortable and welcomed!

Basically, "families" come in all shapes and sizes these days and all are legitimate and welcomed on ABDs. We found the group was great for single parents/guardians and one child; because the kid has other kids to run with and on adult nights, we all happily welcomed in the singles and had a delightful time!

 

[Cousin Orville]

Hi all,

Keep coming back to researching ABD trips. It's just my 5 year old son and I (would be at least 6 by the time we travelled anywhere). Would we be odd ones out being such a small family?

Since it is just the 2 of us, I like the idea of a tour so that both of us have the opportunity for interaction with other people rather than being 1 on 1 all the time.

I'm toying with England and France, which I know I could do for half the price (or less) by myself. But having entertainment for him that I don't need to provide is probably worth even more than that!

Also, I know many of the tours say minimum age is 4, recommended is 6+. In your experiences, are there kids towards the lower end or mostly older?

Any thoughts or experiences?

I went with my 8 yo son along with my Dad to SE Asia. My son and I are going next summer to China. No big deal. It's definitely a great way to travel with a young child.

On our trip to France, my son, 7, was the youngest by a few years. In SE Asia, I believe the youngest was 6, then my son at 8.

 

[jcarlstrom]

Our family did the Alaska cruise add on two summers ago (DD 4, DS 6, DS 8), London/Paris last summer (DD 5, DS 7, DS 9) and the Viva Italia this summer (DD 6, DS 8, DS 10). On all three adventures there were children equally as young or younger. On both the London/Paris and the Viva Italia there were about 40 participnts total and 1/2 were under the age of 13.
A few of the youngest children would fall asleep on the busses or return to the hotel on their own early, but for the most part kept up on all three adventures just fine.
I think it depends on your child. My daughter is the youngest of three and used to being a total trooper keeping up with her brothers, so she had no issues.
Hope that helps,
Jennifer

 

[Tozzie]

Hi all,

Keep coming back to researching ABD trips. It's just my 5 year old son and I (would be at least 6 by the time we travelled anywhere). Would we be odd ones out being such a small family?

Since it is just the 2 of us, I like the idea of a tour so that both of us have the opportunity for interaction with other people rather than being 1 on 1 all the time.

I'm toying with England and France, which I know I could do for half the price (or less) by myself. But having entertainment for him that I don't need to provide is probably worth even more than that!

Also, I know many of the tours say minimum age is 4, recommended is 6+. In your experiences, are there kids towards the lower end or mostly older?

Any thoughts or experiences?

I travel solo and love ABD but there are all types, there is a regular poster here, I hope she pops in on this threas who has done several ABD's and she is a single parent there is another not so frequent poster who as also done ABD as a single parent from the posts they have had mostly great trip experiences. I say go for it but go to the trip reports and see what ones have activities that would be geared for your son's age and attention span.