OK, interwebs. I need your opinions.
I’m debating whether to go to the Inauguration in January. As it is, my dad and stepmom are going, as well as my brother and his wife, and my stepsister and her boyfriend. And a million or so other people, of course. My dad has some pretty good connections, so we could potentially get to see some neat stuff. Not to mention just being present for a major historical event.
Truthfully, the debate is less about whether I go. It’s about whether I bring the kids with me. M says I’m crazy. He says I can go if I want, but he’ll stay home with the kids. I say I want to bring them and let them be a part of history, even if they won’t remember it.
What do you guys think? Especially any of you out there who have or at one point had 18-month-old twins, or have any coherent memory of attending a Presidential Inauguration. I went when I was 14, so my memory of the event is not super useful. Here’s my list of pros and cons:
CONS:
- Naps. They’ll be down to one by then, I’m quite certain. But will I be able to get them someplace to take that nap every day? Possibly. Dad has a work condo in the city, unclear how easy or not it will be to get there.
- Cold. Potential for a fair amount of outdoor time, questionable temperatures.
- Travel. General travel hassles with two toddlers, maybe 50/50 chance that M could come with us.
PROS:
- History, people! Talk about once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
- Fun with family and friends. Not only good times with my dad and siblings, but also a chance to visit our DC-area friends that we don’t get to see very often.
- Adventure! I’m always up for an adventure, honestly, even or especially when the kids are involved.
- Did I mention the historical significance? Because, seriously… how could I turn down an opportunity like this?
As you can probably tell, M’s attitude to this sort of thing is “why on earth would you drag the kids to Washington, DC in January?” My response is something along the lines of “why not?”
What do you think?
My suggestion comes in the form of a question. Well, maybe more than one question. How much adult-only time have you had since your kids were born? How much time has M spent with the kids all on his own? Maybe this is a good opportunity for both of those things to happen. That’s just my two-cents.
Go!! Leave the kids with M–he needs that time with them. Have fun! I am incredibly jealous!!
I’m with M on this one—leave them at home! You’ll have more fun and be able to enjoy the historical moment, plus visiting with family and friends, that much more. (And consider that mine are very close in age to where yours will be come January).
I’m w/M. You won’t be able to enjoy it as much if you have the kids to deal with. You’re going for your memory of the Presidential Inauguration….not theirs. It’s freezing there in January…what if one gets a cold or is super cranky in the cold? What if you have to leave early? You won’t be able to fully enjoy it. Like you said, they won’t remember it. Yes, it is history but it’s only cool to say “I was there” if you actually remember it. What’s the point of saying “I was there” if you can’t remember a single thing about it. I say go and soak up every single detail of the experience. That way you can annoy them w/all the stories. They’ll remember that more than anything else. Wish I could go with you!
Giovanna Diaries´s last blog post..Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie
I would not bring the kids. There is such a huge difference between 12 months and 18 months. 18 months is peak of not being interested in sitting still for ANYTHING. We had such a horrific flight experience at 16 months that we stopped flying for 6 months… and we are pretty adventurous.
If you go, go for yourself. Go for YOU to enjoy it and tell tales to your kids. Do as much as you can to enjoy that time, and in future years you can share this joy with them in future inaugurations.
18 months is when Alex started his 60-90 minute tantrums with kicking and screaming and flailing. Maybe your kids won’t do that, but maybe they will. Why risk missing the OBAMA inauguration on what-ifs?
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Well, I am going against the grain here and I am sure many will scoff when I mention that my twins are only 10 months old (so I have NO idea how life is with two toddlers). That said, take ‘em! What an amazing opportunity. I like yor pro list…time with fam, adventure, once in a life time, etc. About the cons, maybe it will be freezing/rain-I am sure you have jackets and umbrellas. Maybe they won’t nap-maybe they will. Travel hassles with kids-having read your blog before, you have traveled, you will be fine.
Good luck, I am looking forward to seeing what you decide.
Plus! Another pro, they can sport their ‘Babies got Barack’ shirts again (if they still fit:).
Trina
Okay, I’m going against the grain, too, as long as you’re willing to “go with the flow”. I mean, if it’s desperately important for you to be at the inauguration and give it your full attention, you know you’d have to leave the kids home to do that. But if you want to be there, and share it with them, and your family, take ‘em!
I’ve found that 90% of the time, the success of any activity is based on MY opinion. I mean, they could have a break down half way through and you’d have to leave…would you think “boy, that was so awesome, and how funny it’ll be to tell R/D about the time s/he had a fit while the president was being sworn in!” Or would you think, “I can’t believe I had to leave halfway through! I can’t believe R/D had a fit and ruined it!” See what I mean? You seem like more of a go-with-the-flow kind of gal, so I think you could pull it off, especially with so much family around.
WhatACard´s last blog post..Ugh, I keep getting turned away!
And come on, bringing toddler twins there will make you a bit of a superstar.
WhatACard´s last blog post..Ugh, I keep getting turned away!
For decisions like this, I like to do what I call the “10 year test.” In 10 years, what will you look back on? Will you remember how you had to spend the whole trip comforting pissed off toddlers? Will you remember the feeling of watching such a unique, historic, American moment with your children? Pretend you’re looking back on it 10 years from now. That always helps me.
Sally´s last blog post..Forgetful Friday
I would leave them at home, but I’m still learning the ropes of twins, so what do I know! Why not take along their favorite stuffed animals and you could document the trip for them since they couldn’t go. it’s a huge historical event and how much fun will you have??
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I say go and take them with you! I think it would be an awesome experience for all of you and you would get to share it with your kids. And listening to you talk about all of your other previous adventures I have no doubt you can handle it!
I think you should leave them with M. This way you can spend time as a daughter/sister/citizen and not just a mom. You have been a mom and on call 24/7 for 15 months now. Your kids can tell stories about how their mom was there – they won’t remember it and you’ll spend so much time worrying about them that you may not have a chance to really “soak it all in”.
Mommy, Esq.´s last blog post..O-H-I-O
I vote for leaving them at home! Good for you , good for Dad, but if anyone can handle two toddlers in DC, it is you!
I was going to say “leave ‘em” – pay full attention to what’s going on…until I read WAC’s comments…and I’d have to agree with what she says … depends on what YOU want to get out of it, and if you’d be okay leaving part way through and perhaps miss ALL of it.
(This is coming off of a weekend when I just missed half of my little sister’s musical because we brought the kids. Burke got bored. *sigh* )
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I admit, I would vote for leaving them at home.
Can’t wait to hear all about it!!
This is a tough one! I think as long a you have a few people with you to help you out, I would take the kiddos. I mean, they’ll be studying this election in school for years to come, and wouldn’t it be cool if they could whip out a picture and say “We were there!” The other kids would die of envy. Hell, I’m dying of envy!
Jungletwins´s last blog post..Oh Happy Day
Leave them home and take me! =} Seriously, I would leave them, but I agree with the poster who suggested that you look ahead at how you’ll feel down the road.
Being at there will give them bragging rights, but they may not care, and they certainly won’t remember. At this point, it’s more about the experience you want to have.