Dilemma

[zara]

This is my dilemma. Have booked with Virgin for flydrive for next February for 4 adults and one child. Managed to get a good deal - then - what happens is that my daughter (who is going with us) has just told me that she is pregnant!! which means that we will have to add on aninfant to our booking. Not only that but as her date is in January, we now need to put the holiday back to March or April. How do I xplain all this to Virgin. i FEEL ITS A LITTLE BIT EARLY TO CHANGE OUR BOOKING YET BUT i ALSO DONT WANT TO LEAVE IT TOO LATE. Has anyone been in this dilemma before?? Any help appreciated.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I wouldn't worry, many people change their bookings so Virgin get these queries all the time.
We were due to go in April this year but had to change to August as my wife started work as a teacher, we can now only go during the summer holidays.

Just phone them and explain, I would just make sure you know what your amended dates are first, bearing in mind the later you go the warmer it will be.
You possibly wouldn't want it too warm for the baby.

Either way I understand why you are worried but really there is no reason to be , just contact Virgin - there is usually an amendment booking fee to be charged, but I really think they get loads of these.

 

[tartangirl]

It'll not be a problem changing your booking although you will be charged £25 per person.

I changed mine yesterday to take advantage of the new child reductions they've introduced.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

I FEEL ITS A LITTLE BIT EARLY TO CHANGE OUR BOOKING YET BUT i ALSO DONT WANT TO LEAVE IT TOO LATE.

Congratulations - what fantastic news

Once you are sure of your dates, then the earlier you change the better - i.e. more choice/availability for your chosen dates...

However, have a good talk through things with your daughter. Even if you put the trip back until March or April, assuming the baby will be born in January/February (these things never seem to appear to schedule...), the baby will only be two or three months old when you plan to travel. Travelling long haul with such a small baby is really not easy and may be a lot to handle so recently after the birth. Is this your daughter's first or second child? If it is her first, would be even more dubious about travelling so soon after the birth.

Your daughter may want to consider cancelling her trip for the time being (and looking at holidays after the baby is born). The rest of you could still go without her and hers.

Just a thought...

Best wishes,
Boo

 

[zara]

Thanks for taking time to reply. This will be my daighters second child. Her first Katie will be 4 years old and its really for her we are all going. She loves princesses and tinkerbell and everything magical - so we wouldn't want to leave Katie and mummy behind with the new baby!!! I really don't know if April would be too warm for baby. I think I'll leave it as is for a few weeks more as my daughter is only weeks into pregnancy. Any more advice folks???

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Thanks for taking time to reply. This will be my daighters second child. Her first Katie will be 4 years old and its really for her we are all going. She loves princesses and tinkerbell and everything magical - so we wouldn't want to leave Katie and mummy behind with the new baby!!!

Ah, I do see the situation now...!

Have you also considered bringing the holiday forward (maybe September)?

Good luck whatever you decide - sounds tricky!

Best Wishes,
Boo

 

[zara]

Is there much difference in temperature in September than April?

Never really thought of that idea.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks for taking time to reply. This will be my daighters second child. Her first Katie will be 4 years old and its really for her we are all going. She loves princesses and tinkerbell and everything magical - so we wouldn't want to leave Katie and mummy behind with the new baby!!! I really don't know if April would be too warm for baby. I think I'll leave it as is for a few weeks more as my daughter is only weeks into pregnancy. Any more advice folks???

The weather in the early months through February and March can be unpredictable but generally has settled down in April.

I would say on average the temp will be in the low to mid 80s in April, whether you consider that too hot I do not know.

I think providing you are not doing the parks at the hotter times of the day and keep baby protected from the sun you should be fine.
It is difficult planning a holiday with a child so young so I can understand your concerns.

Is going later in the year not an option, possibly October/November time when the baby is a little older?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Is there much difference in temperature in September than April?

Never really thought of that idea.

September will be warmer Zara, personally I would go later - possibly late October or early November - as I said on my recent post.
Baby will be a little older and the weather just about perfect, whatever you choose I am sure you will have a great time.

 

[zara]

Darling Katie who will be 4 years old starts school August 2007 - thats why we decided to go next February before she starts. I am in a pickle aren't I!!!!! And hubby and I have a little vacation planned this October for ourselves, already booked!!!! We could go 21st March 2007. Baby is due 10th January. That would give us three weeks added on. That would mean baby would be 10 weeks old and it wouldn't be as hot as April. Or choose April after Easter and baby would be 14 weeks old. Daughter has to have Caesarian Section this time after her last birth. Baby seems still a bit young I think. Any thoughts on this one guys

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Darling Katie who will be 4 years old starts school August 2007 - thats why we decided to go next February before she starts. I am in a pickle aren't I!!!!! And hubby and I have a little vacation planned this October for ourselves, already booked!!!! We could go 21st March 2007. Baby is due 10th January. That would give us three weeks added on. That would mean baby would be 10 weeks old and it wouldn't be as hot as April. Or choose April after Easter and baby would be 14 weeks old. Daughter has to have Caesarian Section this time after her last birth. Baby seems still a bit young I think. Any thoughts on this one guys

I think the baby would be too young personally at either 10 or 14 weeks old.

 

[Cinderella2006]

You are in an awkward situation but these things can’t be helped! What does your daughter think? Personally I don’t think I would take a 10-week-old baby on a nine-hour flight but that doesn’t mean that it would be wrong of you. I think the preparation for the trip is often more difficult than the flight itself. This is primarily due to the large amount of time a newborn sleeps.
Really, for newborns, a full tummy, a clean nappy, and a comfortable place to sleep go a long way. It becomes even easier if the baby is breastfed because no additional preparation of formula is required.
As I am writing this I can think of a few plus points too.
A break in the sun may be just what your daughter may need to help her relax after having a baby. This is Disney perhaps 'relax' is not the most suitable word but as a mother I can say that a holiday after having a baby is much needed!
You say that your daughter has to have a c-section? I think if you do go ahead, leave it at least 10 weeks; she will want time to recover; but you will know that being a mother yourself!

Good luck making your decision

 

[Ali and boyz]

could you maybe go this september .

 

[zara]

I've been taking in all your comments. Daughter says she would rather go with the baby than being pregnant! She feels a young baby sleeps most of the time during the day anyway and would be easier!!! She has had 4 early miscarriages so this one she wants to be careful with. We think we will opt for last weeks in April for now. Staying in a Villa which will be better I think.
Not changing dates yet though - pray pregnancy will go well.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Staying in a Villa which will be better I think.

That is a VERY good idea - give you a LOT of room and flexibility to do what you feel appropriate at the time. If your daughter just wants to rest at the villa, then she can. If things work out too difficult (or the weather is too hot) to take the baby around with you all the time, you can take turns looking after it at the villa. Makes much more sense than a hotel

Not changing dates yet though - pray pregnancy will go well.

Very best wishes for a safe and comfortable pregnancy and a very healthy and happy baby

Boo

 

[PChef]

Just another thought, I personally would wait until October and take the 4 year old out of school for a week extra to Half Term.

Our school has never minded this as long as we ask permission in advance, and it is such a long first term for the reception children, many of them will be very tired and prone to colds, coughs, tummy upsets, and thus end up missing school anyway! I know there's lots of publicity at the moment about not taking kids out of school, but the penalties relate to unauthorised absences. Many children start doing half-days until half term anyway. (Just my opinion, not wishing to start the whole school absence debate again!)

I agree it is easy to take a newborn away, I took my 4 week old to Marrakech for a long weekend (freebie as my husband was at a conference). Baby was fine, all he needed was me, nappies and a cot! However I would not go to Florida with a tiny baby because of the sun/heat issue, also I would want the baby to have had all injections/ immunisations at 2, 3, 4 months. Also it is a long way to go if your daughter needs to stay out of the sun with the baby, will she be able to enjoy the parks, or experience her daughter enjoying them?

You could always consider a trip to Disneyland Paris in the meantime!

Anyway, fingers crossed for a successful pregnancy.

Michelle

 

[wendye]

Darling Katie who will be 4 years old starts school August 2007 - thats why we decided to go next February before she starts. I am in a pickle aren't I!!!!! And hubby and I have a little vacation planned this October for ourselves, already booked!!!! We could go 21st March 2007. Baby is due 10th January. That would give us three weeks added on. That would mean baby would be 10 weeks old and it wouldn't be as hot as April. Or choose April after Easter and baby would be 14 weeks old. Daughter has to have Caesarian Section this time after her last birth. Baby seems still a bit young I think. Any thoughts on this one guys

Another thing you need to consider as your daughter has to have a C Section is - what is the recommended time after before she can fly? I know I have seen something on this somewhere but can't remember where, but if I remember correctly because of the surgery she will need a longer then average recovery time.