Am I crazy for wanting to take a toddler to Paris?

Travelling abroad with a toddler will no doubt present unique challenges. But I'm sure it's doable if you really want to bring him or her along...

Myself, I'd rather experience one of the most romantic cities of the world toddler-free! Give yourself a probably much needed break!

It's not like your toddler is missing out on anything. At that age they probably won't remember much of it anyway!

I commend you for wanting to take your wee one w/you. Sounds like you have got your act together w/the air travel. To me that's where most of your stress will occur, close quarters for many hours with other stressed-out adults. In Paris, assume there are no family restrooms. Expensive restaurants, stay away from. I'm sure other customers will not be very tolerant. If it's sunny and warm, buy food from the markets and have picnics in the park. You might find parents there who can offer more suggestions. For hotels, make sure they understand that you have a toddler and take advantage of their babysitting services for a small break. Please purchase Around Paris With Kids. It gives ideas on what to do w/children and kid friendly restaurants. Finally, keep in mind that your little one will dictate your daily agenda; be patient and do things SLOWLY. You and your hubby will have fun. I guarantee it! Good luck.

Damita - This is one of my favorite questions because we've taken our daughter twice - once when she was 5 months old and again when she was four. How old is yours and when will you go?

Take a fold up stroller. Make time for playgrounds and carousels. They're everywhere in Paris. Allow lots of time to get from place to place. Put some form of ID on your kid - we carried preprinted stick on labels with our names, her name, emergency US contact numbers and the name of our hotel. We stuck one on the back of her shirt every morning.

Food is easy. Everyplace has orange juice. You can get squeezable yogurt and Babybel cheese at stores. Cafes are generally welcoming but we also tried to go at earlier, quieter hours.

McDonalds' is handy for clean restrooms.

One challenge is getting enough time to sleep. One of you can stay with the child for a nap while the other explores the neighborhood. It's definitely a slower pace. PM me if you have other questions.

Doug, is it really such a good idea to post all that information on your Child? Especially where potential predators could see it and possibly use it to their advantage? Your names, child's name, hotel name and US contact numbers printed on a label on the back of your child is a lot of useful information in the wrong hands. Does anyone agree/disagree? I can understand where Doug is coming from but is this safe? If you're stuck on labeling, wouldn't an email address be safer? Less personal info, yet accessable worldwide.
I know that you're not supposed to write your Child's name visably on the back of their BackPack for just that reason. Maybe AMW.com might have some tips on safe travel with kids?

I think it's wise to have your child fingerprinted and photographed by organizations like ChildFind. Also, carry current photographs of your child, just incase, God forbid, they go missing. (You have to think of everything, every possible senario...) I'd even consider one of those harness hand things. Even a microchip if that were possible!
I'd probably want to hold off on taking my kids abroad until they were old enough to be a little more independent and able to ask for help if they were in trouble. But I know sometimes you want to take them to see friends and family abroad so you can't always wait until they are a little older...

I don't have kids, much less travel with them, so I'm afraid I'm not much help.

As far as putting information on your child. We do it with a 3 x5 card that you need to un-pin in order to see the information. And we only put a cell phone on it. An american and a u.s. one, and his first name, and the languages he speaks.

I guess the big question is why do you want to take your toddler? Even at 3 a train is a train regardless if it is in New York or Gare de Lyon. It is one thing if you are going for family and don't have a choice.

I found it very hard to find a place to change my son. Many restrooms were difficult to accomodate. In restaurants we have always been treated better in France with kids than I am here in the U.S. go early in the seating though. I would choose an apartment over a hotel, cheaper and more comfort as a place to crash during the day and relax and play.

Take a stroller yes! No matter how heavy haul it!
Bring diapers!

How old is this child??
I think a baby of 5 months is very easy to travel with, and I have. I think a two year old is a lot less fun. I think a child of 4 gets easier again.

I personally would not think taking a very young child to Paris is that fun at all, doable yes, fun, no.
Eat in cafes. Bathrooms if you have a non toilet trained child are a nightmare. Even a trained child bathroom time is a nightmare, few toilets around and many not that clean.
Food, well food is availalbe everywhere, fries, yogurt , chicken etc. so no big deal. French people have toddlers too.
Stroller important as one walks alot in Paris. Lots of stairs, uneven pavement etc, so frankly , not that fun even with stroller.

Personally I would be tempted to let grandparents have little one for a visit and go to Paris alone,but , some people cannot imagine leaving their child for a week or two, but , will they recall or get much out of trip? Nope, I went at ten for two months.Remember almost nothing.

Damita - am assuming by toddler you mean a child about 1-3 years old. We did much family travel from one coast to another during this time. All it takes is one bad flight- one 5 hour flight with a toddler stuck in a carseat after having been sick for a few days - to make me say think again about taking him to Paris. Under the best circumstances you will be in a plane for 7-8 hours. Toddler age children cannot be "reasoned" with the way an older child can and if there is any discomfort they (and you) are so miserable.

Once you get to Paris I think you would be fine as long as you are really content to stay put quite a bit to allow for regular naps, early nights in bed, etc. Hopefully you would find a place where your son can stay in another room - renting an apartment would be ideal. I agree that unless you have family or other very specific reason to be in Paris with your child, leave him home this year. Go when he (or your youngest) is 5.

Thanks for all your responses. You all made valid points about things that I have considered.

I think we better stick to traveling here in the USA until my child gets a little older. He has done an awesome job with traveling here in the states. So, I better stick to the hassle free traveling.

I just think that with the lack of child friendly places to explore like here in the USA and the lack of modern facilities will make a trip to Europe very difficult with a toddler.