Reading this blog is the mental equivalent of watching Romper Room or Mister Roger's Neighborhood.

Buffy - Thanks for the feedback

We learned a long time ago that making a trip to see family can be very overwhelming for young kids. They spend a lot of time in a house that isn't familiar with people they don't know. They are out of routine, sleeping in strange beds and even using strange and unfamiliar cups, plates, etc. etc. We found that the best trips were the ones when we spent most of the time hanging out with the people we were staying with. If other relatives wanted to see us, we invited them to where we were staying. If there was something special we wanted to do, like a local famous site or activity, we only did it once and for a short time as anything more seemed too much for a toddler to handle and would result in even the most calm child having temper tantrums and becoming uncooperative.

Instead, as you so rightly suggest, some old fashioned toys, a walk to a local playground and the opportunity to do something familiar (like a happy meal at MacDonalds) worked best for our young ones. The busier outings to local places of interest can wait until they are old enough to handle them.

Mother of 4 - Thanks for sharing your experience. Yes, it's interesting to see how our kids have behaved when grandma or other relatives come to us vs us going to visit them.

Have to agree with Buffy, this blog is written at a toddlers level, rather than by someone who touts a Phd in psychology.

You basically just broke down ever visit to the grandparents. No real plans, just visit. And yet, in the absence of 'plans', things happened anyway. Incredible! Oh, and kids love playing with toys that are new to them. Insightful!!

I really want to like your blog, but Cheryl you make it very very hard.

Agree with Buffy- Thanks for your feedback.