Grand childern to Ireland?

murphy · Guru

Grand childern to Ireland?

murphy · Guru

Oops, meant to put this in the Ask Michele Ireland forum instead of the trip report section. confuse Feel free to move it, Michele! smile

Dan

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Dan -- Both Miss Very Nearly 5 and Just Turned 8 LOVED being in Ireland and still talk about it incessantly. VN 5 has developed a PASSIONATE love of all things horses since our time at Ivy Bridge and the Gap of Dunloe. JT 8 climbed to the top of the Kildare Round Tower with her Dad and Me and MARVELED at the scenery.

We tried to keep 'Car Time' to a minimum -- never more than an hour between stops and also rented booster seats. Being in a van (Ford Galaxy) helped some, too, I suspect. The NATURE of the trip was a LOT 'Slower' than we normally go, but we found it delightful.

How is YOUR little one with car travel? THAT would likely be the determining factor.

I'm in the, "You NEVER know what, or if, tomorrow may bring" stage. We took the girls to Ireland at the first available opportunity. If all goes well, our son and grandson (also just turned eight) will join us, NEXT summer!

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dan,

I moved the post. biggrin Ten years old. I think that is just right. Still young enough to be excited over everything but without the teenage angst. Plus the fact that she is saving up for it herself and begged you to take her before shows that she really wants to go. She sounds like she is growing up fast and very responsible.

Like Bob suggested, it will be a different sort of a trip with her along. Perhaps self-catering for a week? Also, let her read up on Ireland and tell you what she would like to see and do. But remind her that everyone must have input too and that at times she will have to do what the adults want. Give and take.

Michele

Judy · Guru

We took our granddaughter to Ireland when she was 5 years old, again at 10 years old and once more at 15 years old, with a promise to take she again at 18 years old.

On her first trip she was already hooked and started Irish dance classes as soon as she returned home. She has been Irish dancing ever since. She was upset recently when I told her that she was too far removed (3rd generation American) for dual citizenship.

I myself had my first trip, spending 4 months in Ireland at 5 years old and had a brogue by the time I returned home. So I have to warn you, if you take your granddaughter to Ireland, she may get hooked and you will be hooked for many more trip with her in the future. What a delightful thought. biggrin

Your granddaughter sounds like a very mature little lady and you will have so many happy memories with her for years to come. I say "go for it".

tony2phones · Guru

Got our 6yr old Grandaughter coming over in a couple of weeks (again) 4 year old Grandson in October and the new additions with Chris's son & co. in November.. Slightly different because there is a home base here but I am aiming on some time away with the elder as she is mature enough to notice different aspects.. 10 would be Ideal as said before hormones start to kick in and facebook takes over completely. I would also go with the self catering vote,

CowboyCraic · Guru

In 2011, I hit Ireland with a 9 year-old (going on twenty) and a 13 year-old (going on thirty)

Other than the arguments created when I declared:

short-shorts, flip-flops and skimpy clothing were NOT allowed

only ONE small duffel and a small backpack were allowed

NO, you can't take your cellphone along (13 year-old)

and, once in Ireland,

NO, we are not going to eat at BURGER KING every time we see one... or any other fast food restaurant (9 year-old)

It seemed to be a great age to take them... I gave them reading assignments for the three months ahead of our departure...every two weeks, I sent them a new book on some interesting aspect of where we would be staying

We did go the self-cater route...scoring big time with Ivy Bridge Lodge...two full bathrooms is a must when traveling with girls! biggrin

murphy · Guru

Bob,

Our little one is not so little...she is as tall as my 2nd button down from the top of my shirt....gosh they grow up so fast!

She does well in a car....took her from the central coast of Washington State to Yuma Az on a 3 day road trip when she was 4, and she was a real trooper. Entertains herself well if she has books, pencils, colors, blank papers, iTablet etc. It sounded like I was really braggin her up on my initial post, but was trying to point out just how mature she is for her age.

Tony, Michele, Bit, and Judy,

Thanks to all for advice...sounds like it will be fine for a 10-year-old. Since plans for our Oct 2013 trip have fizzled, I am going to try for April 2014. We may not be able to take the full 2 weeks, but when it comes to going to Ireland, I'll take what I can get! May try for a 1 week of self cater somewhere...Ivy Bridge Lodge sounds interesting. Our GD went thru a "horse-crazy" time about a year or so ago. Had her first horseback ride for an Eighth birthday present!

Fixed Irish style "Bacon and Cabbage" for her and her Dad last evening. Had recently bought a couple pounds of sliced back bacon (salt cured but not smoked) from a shop in Seattle called "Proper Brittish Bacon" We fried some for breakfast a few days ago, and it was awesome...just like the bacon we had at the Full Irish Breakfasts at B&B's in Ireland! It worked great too for bacon and cabbage despite being sliced. GD loved the bacon, ate the boiled new red potatos and carrots, but was not too thrilled with the cabbage. Will try to get a couple of 1 pound lumps of bacon (unsliced) next time. Don't think we will have a problem keeping GD clear of the fast food joints in Ireland!

Just dawned on me that she probably wont be allowed in the pubs after 9PM for Trad music, so I will probably have to give that up on this trip... but for her sake it will be worth it!

Dan

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Dan --

I know that you will have to have a Medical Power of Attorney, for sure -- in the event of any mishaps. We didn't need one, this trip, as the girls' parents were also traveling with us. Dunno about any other documents, though.

A USA Today article on the subject: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/give-power-attorney-grandparents-traveling-minor-106256.html

Another General info link: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/consent-travel-grandparent-108749.html

Does she have a Passport, yet? When our daughter went to apply for the girls', she was told that BOTH parents must be present, in order to prevent 'Custody' issues ...

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Tuesday 13th of August 2013 10:59:28 AM

murphy · Guru

We are wondering about GParents taking a GD, and what paper work might be necessary in case of medical emergency, or for general medical care. Would a document from her parents be a requirement?

Dan

murphy · Guru

Thanks for some great information Bob. The folks on this forum are the best!

Even tho the trip wouldn't be till April, I think we need to get to work on the power or Att. and the passport already by this fall.

Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

By the time her passport expires she will be all grown up and won't look anything like the passport photo!