Sleeping in Hotels - 2Nd Request for Help

A.,
Another thought is well, you don't stay in their room when you are at home; possibly bringing a monitor and retreating to the hotel lounge? You would be minutes away if they needed anything (esp on the first floor).

Good Luck,
M.

take a sheet with you.. and a thin long rope... I cut the room in half.. use the rope, the sheet hung over it.. and two or three push pins... the hotel will never know.. because the push pins only make a very tiny hole.. it works perfect.. lower or shut the lights off until they fall asleep... and then you can have alone time... good luck

hey there! My best suggestion would be to get two rooms that are connected by a door. (I think most hotel rooms still have that.) If not, then rent out a suite with either more than one bedroom, or one with a seperate living room.
good luck

Hi A.,
Hotel suites are made for you, especially the suites that have "a living room" separate from the bedroom. However, if you haven't booked that for this trip, I suggest you figure out a way to hang up a black-out sheet or light blanket so you can at least darken the space where the kids are sleeping. The other thing to do is to keep the kids SO busy during the day that they fall asleep and stay asleep naturally at night.
I wish you a good night's rest!
L.

My husband and I have struggled with the time to go to bed so I read some of the suggestions. As for actual sleep, make sure to take a personal blanket for each child that they have slept with for several days. I know dirty laundry on vacation sounds gross but if the blanket smells like them and home it is much easier to get them to sleep! I wash my kids blankets about 4 days before we go so they are "relatively" clean and then let them sleep with them. It works well for both my 7yo and almost 2yo! A.

You can use sheets or blankets to make a partition in the room. My pediatrician told me to bring duct tape on vacation when I asked for what she said to seperate the room and give the baby the feeling of being in his own room. You hang the sheets or blamkets form the ceiling and walls around where the kids will be sleeping. She said she does it all the time and has never had a problem with the kids sleeping. Hope this helps and enjoy your vacation!!!

I have a 3yr old and a 1yr old. We just came back from a vacation and had similar issues. Napping had to be done in the stoller, we would take them for walks when it was nap time and they would fall asleep in there. We'd then go back to the hotel, go to the pool or relax on our balcony while the kids stayed asleep in the stollers. At night, they stayed up late. Normally they are in bed by 8pm, but we'd go out for dinner and wouldn't get back to the hotel till 9.30pm. My husband had to sleep with my son in the pull out, he wouldn't sleep alone. My daughter in the pack 'n play and I in the bed. Just don't try to keep all your normal rules, it will ruin your vacation. It will take a while for them to settle into a new room, so don't expect them to get to sleep like they do at home.

Hi A.. We have 3 boys and have been through this. Here are a few suggestions:
(1) Tell them 'If you don't go to sleep, we will have to nap tomorrow which means we won't get to go to Disney/the beach/the pool/whatever you have planned'.
(2) Since the whole thing is a change of routine for them anyway, lay down with them until they go to sleep then you and your husband can have adult time. Just make sure they know, this is a vacation only thing and they have to go to bed on their own when they get home.
(3) I have never done this but a friend has and it worked out well for them - put them to bed, then sit in the hallway outside your room and play cards until they go to sleep.
(4) I am an advocate of bribery on rare and special occasions- doughnuts or some such thing for breakfast if they go to bed nicely.
(5) Get a pay per view movie right around bed time and pray they fall asleep while watching it.

I hope it goes well for you and you have a nice vacation.Good luck!

A. -
Ask the hotel for an extra sheet and tape it to the ceiling to create a "wall" between you and the kids. Give them time to fall asleep - maybe 1/2 an hour? - before you and your husband have time together. I like the music idea as well. And perhaps you 2 can whisper - that's romantic - not that much will come of it with kids in the room!! Follow the same bedtime routine you have at home...do you read to them before bed? Baths? Rub backs? These are relaxing. I would do as much the same as at home that you can.
Hope this helps and you have a great vacation!
Fran

Hi A.,

I wish I had lots of great advice for you, but I really do not. My husband and I have traveled quite a bit with our 2 boys ( now ages 5 and 7) and being in one hotel room can be hard.

I am telling you this so that you do not go away next week with really high expectations of good sleeping from your kids and a lot of adult time for you and your hubby. In my opinion, there really is not a way to partition the room, What we have done in the past, is keep our kids up a little later than their bed time and then lie down with them to help them fall asleep. if you are lucky and have a sliding door and a deck or porch off your room, once they are asleep, you can go out on the deck and relax.

We have started to travel getting suites so that the kids have a room and the grownups have a room, otherwise you are pretty much going to bed when the kids do.

remember they will be out of their environment, everything will be new and exciting. It may be hard to get them to settle down at night, it may change their sleeping habbits for the week. you need to somewhat be strict and somewhat be able to go with the flow. it is a balancing act.

When all else fails, use benedryl.

good luck and have a great trip

W.

Hi A.,
I didn't get the chance to read the many responses, so some/all of this may be redundant and possibly for future reference. However, we have traveled a lot with our almost 4 year old son (as well as my brother's two young boys). So, here is some advice: If you can find an affordable one, suites are always a great way to go. A two bedroom with a kitchenette is wonderful because it is not ever easy taking children out to dinner every night and you can keep all of their toddler food in the fridge and even microwave/cook. A balcony also works for an adult private area, check ahead to ensure the balcony looks safe or the door is childproof - so the kids can't open the door and go out there when you aren't looking. We always bring a baby montior - depending upon the set up at the hotel, you can sometimes remove yourselves a little from the children - as far as your nerves and safety will allow. I always found the pack-n-play better than the cribs you can rent from hotels, although they aren't the lightest things around. Make sure you test out your youngest child as he gets older to ensure he can't climb out of it. For the 3 1/2 year old, keep in mind if he needs a bedrail - they make smaller ones that work for travel and also One Step Ahead sells the kind that inflate.

As for the nighttime routine, my husband and I make it a point to ensure that we are back in the hotel at their bedtime or at least some time within reason. We spend about an hour going through a "normal" routine as best we can (bath, favorite books, special stuffed animals, blankets, pillowcase, music etc). I have to admit, we have resorted to allowing our son to watch a short video on our bed (the travel DVD player is always a good investment and I believe they can play CD music too) and then moving him once he is asleep. After he was asleep, we would then have our alone time (as long as I could stay awake during all of this).

Not sure where your son's pullout bed will be, but try to get him in a spot that is dark, quiet and not in the general traffic area. I have been trying to think of a way you might be able to rig a room divider with a blanket or sheet, but it might be difficult. Also you need to consider if the two children would be better off near each other or apart. A travel tent might also work if the floor is not too hard and - make sure you read the safety instructions about whether or not to zip the doors closed.

If you travel with other couples or even Grandparents, it allows you to swap nights out. Other things to keep in mind: if you go on day trips, bring the PJs along and get them ready for bed before you get them in the car back to the hotel. Think about safety devices you might need at the hotel: outlet covers, covers for sharp table edges, door knob covers, window stops and ALWAYS make sure the cords from any curtains or window blinds are out of reach. Obviously I don't travel light and am somewhat of a safety freak, but the more you make the hotel room like home and safe for the children, the better off you will be.

Finally, I know there are services now where you can rent gear at your destination - I have never used them, but others on this site have.

Back to that fridge - after all of this, my husband and I usually chill a bottle of wine and share a glass or two :-).

Hi A.,
When I am sharing a room with my 2 year old at my parents camp on weekends or when traveling try a big dark colored sheet to drape over the pack and play (would be easy to pack). After she is asleep I can turn the light back on to read or watch tv quietly while things stay dark in her pack and play. Good luck! :)

Hi A.,
I travel a lot with my son who is 15 months. We have a set routine with music that helps him settle wherever he is. We sit down, he drinks his bottle to the first song, I brush his teeth and snuggle for the next and then the whole album plays. I also bring a white noise machine wherever I go, so that after he is asleep, we talk and watch tv and it seems that if he wakes up, he tunes into the white noise and doesn't wake up fully. I know it is different than having 2 kids.

Also, I find that i have to REALLY REALLY tire him out and then he goes right to sleep.

I let him get to sleep and then drape towels over the far light and turn it on.

Good luck :)

Hi A., We have 4 children and we used to travel when our children were young all the time. I have a suggestion, although it would require extra expense. Maybe you could get 2 adjoining rooms or a suite. You could keep the door open to hear your children and then you and your husband can stay up in the adjoining room. We used to go to the beach a lot and we would stay in a suite. There would be a large sitting room when you first walked into the room and a separate bedroom. I know it might cost a little more money, but we found it so worth the expense.

Although my kids are well past sleeping issues, my husband is not. He can hear a dust bunny toot! He wakes up if anything happens within a two mile radius! LOL We just took our first vacation to of all places, Disneyworld. I put the radio between stations so it plays snow and turned the volume up to flood the room with white noise. With a fan blowing in the room, we didn't hear a peep from anyone outside. We also requested a room far from traffic - indoor and out. It was really a great time and I wish you the same. Hope this helps.

Hi A.,

Maybe you can bring along a length of rope to string across the room (from the curtain rod to the bathroom or closet door hinges?) and hang a blanket over it with clothes pins, boys on one side parents on the other with the room lamp. Once asleep do your boys sleep deeply? I think a marching band could go thru the room and my son will sleep thru it after he's been out for 15 minutes. Then all you need to worry about is the light not preventing them from going to sleep in the first place. My sister always warned me not to get my son used to silence when he's sleeping or I would be a slave to his sleep. Guess that's true.
Good luck!
A.

Hi A.
Sure hope that you have a great time on your vacation.
We vacationed with twins often staying in hotels. In fact we moved from state to state twice, when they were under 5. They slept together so they were used to being together. We made sure they were tired(a key component), and usually laid them on the hotel comforters etc folded into a mattress, then put their sheets & blankets on that "mattress". Usually I put that new mattress between the far wall and the bed, which meant they were as far from the door as possible, and also protected as much as possible from falling out of the bed. We were always able to rest til they fell asleep. I simply did their bedtime routine, and it was not long til they were asleep. My husband and I could then have some adult time. My suggestion is to relax yourself and enjoy the moments as they come. Purpose to have fun, and since you are out of the routine of time and place let that be fun, and tell about the fun of the new day so they can have good thoughts.
God bless you and have a great time
K.---Married 38 years & SAHM for 37 years. Twins are now 18.

For our first stay at a hotel with the kids we had your same situation. My husband and I took turns going to the lobby with a book while the other stayed in the room with the lights out. On my "on duty" evenings I would bring my book to the bathroom and read there; not ideal but better than sitting in the dark.
We were not excited about that arrangement, and from then on we booked two room suites.

A.,
What about taking along a small tent? They also have those 'play tent' structures too that fold up easily. It might block out some of the light and add to the adventure for the boys. Also, I might suggest a white noise machine. My kids loved them!
Good Luck and have a great vacation!
L.

This has been a tricky one for us over the years... We found that using small reading lamps (we use camping head lamps) could let us stay up and read while the kids went to sleep. Depending on the setup of the room, we have at times been able to put a blanket over 1-2 sides of the pack 'n play to block the little one's view and could maybe have the tv moved to face away from the kids and turned down low on some innocuous station (maybe playing music) until they fell asleep, at which time we could watch what we wanted without waking the kids. Ultimately, springing for a room with a separate bedroom can be very worth it! Good luck!!

Hi A.,

You got some great advice already. Here's what I can add:

I learned this early, when I have cared for family friends kids (babysitting) and espeically at huge family family reunions and all kinds of excitement and adult things are happening after kids bedtimes, it works now with adults, and if I could do this as a teenager, you as a mom will have it be a snap! You do just a little planning and include them in preparation, and most important - BELIEVE and teach them to BELIEVE and be happy about THEIR OWN PART OF THE ROOM SPECIAL FOR KIDS - A VACATION SPECIAL PLACE - this will work for the ones who are old enough to anticipate and understand that mommy and daddy get a speical room in a faraway city, and they get to have their part of that room for their vacation fun all for the kids.

Have them pack their 3 or 5 favorite play items and music/audio stories in their bag/box/suitcase for their vacation camping special hideout they will have. (remember the adapter for electricity and the extra batteries for car rides - bummer if you forget that)

You bring their favorite sheet/pillows, blanket for making a tent and play area, remember a soft cotton for the floor, and when you get to the hotel, let them see you are picking out their vacation area in a corner of the room, put a sheet over the table or chair to form their tent, and put up a vacation schedule (taped on a mirror or on the sliding glass) so they can see the neat things and when they get to do them on what day (Go to Sea World on Thursday list at 9, pack sunscreen, put on sunscreen at sea world at 10, 12, 2, and 4, so they dont' fight the sunscreen, bring plenty water, towels to wipe hands and eyes), and show them the schedule BEFORE you leave home with two huge fun things every day (like leave for Disneyland to see the Pirates at 10:00, swim at 5:00, and include the bedtime ritual "play your music" time and/or "read your book" time and "Mommy and Daddy kiss you goodnight and go to sleep" time with a morning toy (micky mouse) tucked in with them to anticipate wake up after sleep. The goal would be to have them own the schedule, like when you say what's next on the schedule, let's see, you read it out, and they ask you if you are ready to kiss them good night at the right time so they can stay on schedule for their vacation. It will happen by the end of vacation if you are using it as constructive structure, they will look forward to it if you do.

Have your "mommy and daddy talk" time also on the schedule so they know you are doing your scheduled fun things just like them.

If they are difficult, it's your attitude and belief that you show them which will make it work, and just plain act like they are not fussy. They will test you if they are used to pushing your buttons for more attention; and you need to positively fun and upbeat firmly say "it's vacation time, This is how we have the most fun, you'll see, you're just not used to it yet and you will be real soon. That's what the schedule if for! Change the subject to do positive focus - isn't this fun today at sea world? (get an answer and get them used to saying yes, engage their imaginations for teh fun of vacation and exploring newness whether they are buying in or not, your buying in to the belief will carry them there regardless of their fussing after a few repeats if you don't give them an audience for their fussiness)

"We're right here to help you relax and sleep and you're goign to have so much fun when you wake up tomorrow, but only if you have enough sleep!" with positive excitement because YOU KNOW they will, and they will trust you because you trust yourself. They may fuss at first, but they have no support from you paying attention to their fussing, act like they will understand their role, and they will. You are the person with the experience and discipline, and they believe you only if you do.

Your belief and positive anticipation that this is a fun vacation and belief that this is how it's done with adults and children (not regimented, just structured) to have the most fun and be the happiest will help them.

I did this when I was 13 with a bunch of difficult cousins and relatives all the time. I do this now with fussy people at work (but reminder, never ignore real issues, approach real issues them with constructive focus and respect, then get back on the positive attitude train with them to have positive attitude and ownership of their experience and accomplishments)!

When you have the vision of what right looks like, you communicate it with total unwavering focused (excited or serene, doesn't matter) belief in your structure, direction and support of their vacation, that it has to be done by doing it the way you structured it, is the key. I know it's a paradox, but you have the key. I prefer it be shifted toward excited happy anticipation rather than transcendent serenity; kids relate better to happy excitement, yet both work and authentic personal energy level is best, no matter what it is. Mine varies sometimes, but the belief and anticipation and look 'em in the eye and bring them with you with total confidence in your perspective and knowledge that they will believe and follow your lead - that MUST BE THERE regardless of energy level and regardless of what they do.

I recommend you practice it with your husband - actually go through the words and attitude and agree on a rough schedule, and have him go through the words himself with positive attitude as a leader of their attitudes. It will not work (will backfire big time) unless he supports, buys in and actively stands by you enjoying, saying and doing and leading your kids with the same approach. - Remember - not goofy animation, but focused fun joyful excitement they can follow.

You'll do GREAT! Enjoy your vacation!

M.

Wow, this is a tough one. If you're worried about noise, perhaps bringing a fan with you might help. The noise of the fan helps to drown off other noises. When I traveled with my son (now 3 1/2), I remember having to drive him until he fell asleep because he was out of his eliminate. I had to do that with him from about 1-2 years old. Now that he's older, we have no problems with him falling asleep at a hotel. I do know that we just have to go to sleep when he goes to sleep, or else he won't sleep. Generally, on vacation, I adjust the schedule so my son stays up later, but he also sleeps later. He goes to bed when we do (about 10:30). You can always put the boys to bed, and you and your husband can hang out in the bathroom to have your conversation with the door closed so you won't disturb the boys. Good luck! Have fun:)

I suggest you call the hotel to see what the additional cost of getting a suite so the kids can sleep in the living room area and you and your husband, the bedroom. If it's too expensive, then when you get there I would ask to speak to the front office manager or manager on duty and appeal to them. If they have a suite available, they may be willing to upgrade you at no additional cost. You have to be REALLY nice and friendly, but they do have the power to upgrade you if they want to.

You might want to consider hiring a babysitter for the kids one night so you and your husband can have a night (or two) out. Most hotels have arrangements with professional babysitting services.

The other suggestions from people all sound great especially tiring the kids out! Good luck and have a great time!

When my son was under 2 we traveled with him a lot (took advantage of the free/reduced plane ride for under ages under 2! I don't know how large your hotel room will be, but we actually placed my son on the bed and had him fall asleep, while we stayed on the other side of the room to talk, etc. My son was also a heavy sleeper so this was not a big problem. Many hotels also have several lights. If your will, you can turn off the lights where your children will be and turn on the dimmer night lamps near the bed if you and hubby needs some light.As far as partitioning the room one thing I could think of is to create a make shift tent with sheets (unless you have a real tent or a child's tent) and have your kids sleep in the tent in the room, while you have your privacy outside the tent but in the same room. Would your boys like to sleep together on the pullout couch? It may be fun for them and help to settle the younger one-just a thought? When you are ready to go to bed, you can place the younger one in the pack n'play. I hope this helps, sorry I cannot think of any other suggestions.

Hotels were always easier for us, because our son was so excited to be in a new room with so many things to explore, that he usually pooped out faster and easier- so keep that in mind. I would bring his pillowcase, if not his whole pillow, his favorite blanket, if it is small enough, and if he has a lovey bring that too. If you son has something familier, it will be easier for him to get to sleep. We sometimes had to resort to letting our son sleep with us to get to sleep, then move him to his own space later on. Another thing you may want to do is bring a small tent, big enough to set the boys in to go to sleep. Your sons are probably old enough to enjoy "camping out" inside the hotel room.

Well its a vacation so don't plan too much

Pac n play s great, brng the Aqua sounds machine wth you so the tunes are familiar and t makes it easer for him to sleep

as for your 3 year old you more than likely will need to lay down with him to get him to sleep,

While on Vacation I tend to let my kids stay up, till I Can't take it, And oddly enough I feel tired earlier aswell.

it would depend on the room you get on how you could partiton it.

this s not they type of question anyone can really help you with because we aren't going with you and can't make suggestons. But if it were me, I would bring 2 pac n plays or let them share ( moving one from the couch to the pac , and then back to the couch after wards)

M

We have been trying to find the same solution for years but to no avail. Unfortunately, travelling with kids means early to bed for everrybody unless you find a hotel with a suite so you have separate rooms. We have brought a portable DVD player or laptop to watch movies with headphones, but that is about all we have figured out. If you have a balcony or are on the ground floor, you can sit outside the room. Sorry I don't have better solutions, but I would love to hear if you find any!
L.

Hi there~
I would suggest bringing a white noise machine for the boys and situate their beds as far as possible from where you and your husband will be spending time. As your one son is restless, it may not be possible for you to have conversations, but reading with a reading light has worked well for us when our daughter is sleeping in the same room. Also, if the room has a balcony, bring your baby monitor on battery and spend some time enjoying a summer evening together out there while the kids sleep.

Best of luck!

how about one of those kiddie tents?

I'm not sure how to work it with two kids, but with our one baby, she MUST BE ALL ALONE TO GO TO SLEEP IN A BED. So. Annoying. What we usually do is turn out all the lights, have our bedtime routine, put her in the crib, and then HIDE. We either sit behind our bed where she can't see us, or we hide in the bathroom. Since she's a light sleeper, we spend the rest of the evening either watching a movie VERY quietly with headphones or playing our handheld video games or surfing the 'net. There's very little adult conversation...and very little sleep (she wakes up several times a night and usually (read: 99 out of 100 times) just sings a little song and goes back to sleep. If she can see us, she starts screaming, asking to be taken out of her crib. Hotels are rough, but at least we can get her to sleep! it's all of us STAYING asleep that is the problem. We also make SURE to bring a few of her familiar items from her crib back home - her lovey is a must. Also, a little bear that hangs from the side of her crib and sings music when you pull on him. If it's cooler, we bring one of her smaller blankets as well, to put UNDER the hotel blankets we use, so she'll have that "homey smell" right under her nose.

Good luck!!!!!

PS - I can't believe I forgot this! I was only remembering a particularly rough trip to Chicago last year, but we've had better experiences recently. We just moved across the country, and Husband's company agreed to put us up in a Residence Inn during the move. HEAVEN. Baby had her own room to fall asleep, with a door. We stayed up watching TV or just chatting in the "living room" and then crawled into bed when we were tired. We also tried putting her in the living room and we just chatted in the "bedroom", since it had a TV in there. That was the best arrangement. If you can POSSIBLY get a suite, do it!!!! it's TOTALLY TOTALLY WORTH IT!

I stayed in a hotel with my two year old for the first time a month ago. I put her in the PNP once she fell asleep on the bed and about 2 hours later, she fussed and had to come out. She ended up sleeping with my husband and I had the other bed. You may want to think about your bed strategy. One king will fit all of you or with two queens, you can divide and conquer!

Also, I don’t know where you are going, but there are lots of hotels these day that offer suites for not too much more – and it may be worth the extra $$. If there is a kitchenette, you can make up the money by making breakfast yourself (cereal and milk or toast – very easy – sometimes easier than yet another meal out with a 13 month-old). You can stock lots of snacks/milk/juice that way too.

Good luck. Have fun and go with the flow. And don’t forget to baby proof the hotel room. Make sure the little one can’t get a hold of that iron!! 

The music does sound like a great idea. I would starr playing it for them now while they are sleeping so they get used to it. I think this may also help you and your husband have some adult time if you keep them on one side of the room with the music on and you both hang out on the other side of the room. They prob. won't hear you or be bothered by you over the music. If you think your little one may keep the older one up maybe you can put him down first and then your older boy. Good Luck, hope you have a nice vacation. J.

Hi A.,
I have to chuckle because you cause me to remember our vacation last October. We had a 14 month old at the time who needs a private, dark room with music in order to sleep.
My husband and I spent a lot of time in the bathroom together in order to talk and not wake her. :o)
I don't have much advice except that since we were hiking so much and tiring her out she slept better than usual that week.
Have a great time! Go with the flow and keep your schedule practical.
-H.

If you would like alone time with your husband I suggest switching your room to a suite, although costly it is definitely worth it as it has a seperate bedroom area so you can settle your kids down w/o the distractions of TV, etc and when they fall asleep you can close the door and go talk/watch Tv,ect. I have traveled both ways, and sorry to say have no helpful suggestions on partitioning the room as I have never found a way to do it. My kids often were too curious about what was going on in the room to settle down right away and the baby always wound up in bed with us as she would never stay in her packnplay, which is why we starting using suites instead. The only suggestion I have is you may have to lay down with your childen until they fall asleep just so they feel comfortable where they are sleeping (maybe on the pullout with your oldest in eyesight of the baby in the packnplay and then sneak some TV when they fall asleep. Hope it works out, enjoy your trip.

HI A.,
Since you are on vacation I suggest letting them stay up a little later. They wont know what time it is but they will be more tired. Is your youngest sleeping too much? For a while when my daughter would give me a hard time going to bed at 2 years old or so, I would put on a short movie for her. She would be mesmerized and be off to sleep in no time. It's not a perfect solution and you have to know when to end it, but it does work! That way the kids can be amused by the movie, (Winnie the Pooh or something) and you and your husband can have some time to yourselves. I wouldn't partition the room, that might make them feel too isolated from you.
A bit about me: I am a mother of two (8 and 6), a pre-school teacher and was a nanny for 7 years. Good luck abnd enjoy your vacation.

I don't know Lady...I was worried about my daughter back in September sleeping in a hotel. We had to put her in a playpen instead of paying extra for a crib. I thought she would not do so well, but she did great. All the excitment of being somewhere new, swimming, running down the halls wore her out and she slept through the night just fine.

As far as "adult" time goes...they have big bathrooms and tubs...~wink

Nanc

Hi A. - When we went on our vacation to Disney in Feb, we went with a group for a Twilring competition that my girls were in. One of the coaches had just had a baby and had the room next to us. One night I came back to our room and there they were sitting outside the hotel room door on the floor enjoying a late night meal and each other's company while the little one was asleep inside! I thought it was the most adorable, romantic thing I had ever seen. My point is that you have to be creative on vacation just like you would at home. Put the kids down early - they are babies after all - and find ways to make them as comfortable as possible and then find ways for you and your husband to get some quiet time. You won't be doing anything alone because this is your family vacation not one for just the two of you so don't stress if you can't do all the things you would if you were by yourselves. The routine will be broken for your 3 year old so it might be a little difficult because he will be excited but just be patient and take 15 minutes to get him settled and then have some time for you and your husband. You also might want to limit the afternoon nap to no more than 45 minutes so that they are nice and sleepy at bedtime. Disney is really "a magical place" the twirling comp is every two years and we can't wait to go again! Have a wonderful time!

The playing music suggestion is great try to find a CD that is "White noise". Also I found with my kids if they ran and kept busy all day with no naps, an early dinner going to sleep wasn't as hard. If you have a hotel with a balcony/patio area sit out side with the curtain shut over so you can hear them. Get a nice bottle of wine and relax with your husband. My other suggestion is the next time you travel to stay at a Homewood Suites type hotal that give you 2 rooms. You can order a cot for your older son or try to get 2 double beds and then you still have a bedroom/bathroom space and a living space/kitchen area that is also great with young kids for breakfasts and snacks.

A few ideas--hope they are helpful (Music or something else to distract them (a soothing video, maybe)is a good idea.
--Spending quality time with them before bedtime: warm bath, reading a story, etc., and hanging out with them until they sleep.
--a folding screen that separates your area from the kids area, and focussed lamps so their area can be darkened while you still have some light.
--some hotels have babysitting services. It might be worth exploring this so you and your husband can go out at least a few times, without worrying.

Good luck!

I'm sure it's too late now, but in the future you could try to get a hotel with a patio or balcony so you and your husband could sit out there with the sliding door cracked open a bit so te kids can sleep.

We would pretend to go to sleep when they do and then when they are out talk softly or book hotels with separate partician walls that we can go on the other side

Once you have children and decide to vacation with them the vacation is about their well being. Especially since they are so young and in need of your undivided attention.
I dont know where you are going or what you are doing but if the kids are swimming and running around they might be so tired they will just fall fast asleep. Then maybe you can have some down timewith hubby. I went to a seminar long ago and the lady said to remember "You are doing children right at this time of your life" life generally revolves around the childrenonce they are here.
Try not to get your expectations up too high and just enjoy whatever time you get to spend with family.

Good luck with this one. Aside from paying for an ajoining room.....you will need to pretend to be asleep until the kids are truely asleep and then you can turn on a low light and have adult "whatever" quietly. Kids dont get to sleep if there is distraction but they usually sleep soundly. Suggestion....use this to your advantage - slide your hand over to your husband under the covers and play a silent game....or take his hand (you get the picture). Have fun!
L.

We went up to Niagara Falls last summer and were under the impression that we had a room that had a seperate sitting room, it didn't. At the time I was seven months pregnant and didn't like to lay in bed all that much (uncomfortable) and my youngest daughter is a VERY light sleeper. For us we kept all of the lights on that side of the room (closest to bathroom) off and hopefully the tv is on a lazy susan type of device and you can spin it all of the way opposite the kids. I find that if they kids fall asleep with some noise (like the tv on low) then they're less likely to wake while you and your husband talk. Playing cards is nice and quiet and you can still pass the time. Take into consideration too that with all of the activity during the day of vacations they'll likely be exhausted so it shouldn't be that hard to get them down. If you have a balcony you can bring a monitor and sit outside until they're out. A little weird, but maybe sitting in the hallway with the monitor until they fall out, just remember your key!!!! Have a great time. We're going at the end of July and I have three to figure out how I'm going to get down and stay that way. We're lucky enough to be staying at a resort where we can hang outside at night, so it shouldn't be too bad.

Hi there! I hear your concerns and feel your pain. My 4 year old son can easily get to sleep almost anywhere. My daughter who is almost 2 years is much more of a challenge. She needs to have her own space when she sleeps otherwise she will wanna play and doesn't get that it is sleepytime. So some of the things we had to consider when traveling with both of my kids: 1) if you can afford it, get a two bedroom timeshare. Besides the ample space for the kids to sleep and play, you can have your own space with hubbie for couple time. The bonus also is that you can always have food around for the kids and may actually save money by cooking a meal or two at home instead of eating out at a restaurant!. 2) if not, when getting a hotel room (and if you can afford it!) get adjoining rooms or a suite for much of the same reasons mentioned before. 3) if you cannot afford it or if the hotel does not have suites or adjoining rooms , then actually consider putting the packn'play at the farthest opposite end of where the bed is, even if it means it is by the door to the hotel room or by the bathroom. 4) resign yourself to the fact that vacations are not for you and hubbie anymore until they are less dependent upon you and can do things without you and can join kids groups! Vacations will only be true vacations for you guys only when you do not travel with your kids and when they are a bit older!!! Sadly this is true! By traveling with your kids, you are sacrificing your sleep, quality time with hubbie and R & R for you and your hubbie but you are creating such wonderful times and memories for you, hubbie and your kids!!! That is precious!!! That is what is really all about! Oh yeah, have a picnic with hubbie in the bathroom- it is something you will never forget!!!!! Good luck! Have a great vacation! If you can, write back and let us know how it went!

First I'd suggest contacting the hotel directly and asking their advice; perhaps they have a folding screen that could be used, or better yet, have a "family room" which is partioned appropriately. If that doesn't work, how about making a "tent" for your older son; giving him his own private room (most kids love that) and allowing a bit of space for you and your husband.

we usually have to go to bed at 8:30. the good news is, we always come home rested! the other option, is to ask for a small suite with a living area.... SOMETIMES, that will help.
enjoy your vacation anyway!

Hello A.,
I would definatley use a fan on high, facing away from the boys and what I would do is try using some small thumb tacks to pin some darkly colored sheets to the celing around where the boys are sleeping, to kind of seperate the room. It might do the trick!

J x

A.:

While I'd like to say I have great ideas for this, unless the hotel room is conducive to this, it is going to be difficult. Not sure where you are going or what kind of room you are staying in. When our kids were little we usually tried to stay in suites or vacation rental homes so that we could get some privacy. Even now that my kids are teenagers, we always get something large enough or two adjoining rooms. Will you be staying at a place with a balcony? You might want to go out there for a little adult conversation. Just leave the door open so you can hear the kids. We usually stayed at a cheaper hotel so we could get the larger suite or two rooms. By now it may be too late for that, since you are going in a week, but you may want to check with the place you are going. Sometimes hotels have corer rooms that have alcoves which could help too.

T.

Hi A., We brought along our youngest daughters favorites, blankets and toys,, we also played soft music, and we put together a small pocket size photo album of her with US in it. It worked, she would have it there whenever she needed to see us. Good Luck on your trip :)

I don't know how much help this will be.

Try calling the hotel and asking about a partition. The only other suggestion would be bring some duct tape and try taping a sheet up, or drapping/tenting a sheet over the packnplay.

Keep the boys busy all day and out in the fresh air. Chances are they'll be exhausted by the end of the day.

Good luck. I hope you have a great vacation.

A.,

My recommendation is to not stay in a hotel. They are really a pain unless you have a two room suite. I always stay in bed and breakfasts...you can put the kids to bed and use another part of the house for your entertainment...bring a monitor, or we stay in time shares...they are apartments and even if you don't own a time share you can easily "rent" somebody else's week. If you go with a hotel, you probably won't get too much alone time.

Have fun!

D.

We've traveled quite a bit with our boys. Why not try getting two queen beds, bring bed rails, and let them sleep together. They might find the comfort in one another. A room with a balcony would be great or a suite as previously suggested. Honestly, both my kids slept thru our talking and such. Tire them out during the day and I'm sure they will pass out enough for the two of you to enjoy one anothers company! Have fun!

My best advice would be to make sure your youngest still gets his nap. The more you can stay on schedule, the better he'll sleep. My youngest wakes up every couple of hours in the night if she doesn't have a good enough nap during the day - no matter how tired she is. Have a fun vacation!

Hi A.,
Music is a great idea as well as a fan. You want what is called white noise, consistent repetitive sound. Also in the room get some sheets (Dark is better) with a fold over and slide a slim rope or wire through it and bring a few large thumb tacks or push pins and make a curtain. This will allow some separation of area. Call ahead and ask if they have what is called pipe and drape used for expos and job fairs. They are movable large temporary walls. They might allow you to use two or three. Taking them for a good run outside to wear off excess energy before nice warm bath with lavender always helps. Let us know how it goes.
A.

Hi A....I understand your concern and really have no suggestions on partitions because each time we have traveled there was none available. We simply have learned to go to bed as early as our kids while on trips...Certainly not our normal bed time but it was the only thing that worked because otherwise they (kids) would lay awake listening to us talk or watching the television... I hope you have a great trip!

Unfortunately I think that the only solution is to rent a suite and have them in a separate room altogether, but still connected to your room. That way, you can open the door when you and your husband are ready to go to sleep but have it shut while you're awake. Either that, or rent a small condo/timeshare.

Hi A.,

I have only one son, so I don't know if my experience will help you, but for what it's worth:

My son is a small sleeper, and we slept with him quite a few times in hotels and at other people's places. What I noticed is that the only critical time is when he was falling asleep. If we talked or did anything interesting, he would want to stay awake. So when it was time for him to sleep, we would put him down, then lie down on the bed and read, or some other silent activity. If my son asked for us, talked, etc. we just ignored him. After a while, he would fall asleep, and then we'd be fine. We could talk, have the sidebed lights on, no problem. At this kind of age, once they're truly asleep (about 1/2 hour after they stopped squirming and their breathing showed sleep) it takes a lot to wake them up.

We never had this option, but I think that if you can create some form of divider between your sleeping are and the kids', it would help too. Didn't think about using music to help the process, but I can see how it would help by creating a part of the routine that they're familiar with, even if the environment is unusual - you need to start it well before leaving, though.

Hope this helps,
K.

We've been on the road in hotels now for 2 weeks with our 11 month old. A couple of things that worked: we brought her favorite toy, play the same music that we play at home every night and when we can, put her pack-n-play in a separate area of the room (we've moved the desk in a couple of hotel rooms to partition off an area and then put up a sheet). If you think that might work for you, bring along some masking tape or something to make putting the sheet up a little easier!

Bring along a folding screen to divide the room, although that won't help sound filtering through.

If this is really a vacation and you really want to enjoy, get adjoining rooms the door between the two can be left open during the night and closed at least partially when you are watching tv or relaxing.

i frequently visit my mom with my husband and 3 kids and we stay in her very small studio apartment. it is difficult at best. my youngest boy usually get up about 5:30,but all staying within feet of each other, everyone gets up. in order to get the kids all settled down, we all do go to bed at the same time. push it to 9pm if you think 8:30 is too early. it is actaully good because you will probably be up earlier than normal.

This is exactly the reason now that we always try to do vacation with a suite hotel and at Disney we are lucky enough to stay in a villa because we buy a week from a friend who has a Disney vacation club villa. On our first trip to Disney, my older son was 2 1/2 and we stayed in a regular hotel room. He would not nap at all and at night we had to shut all the lights and the tv and pretend to be asleep which meant my husband and I actually DID fall asleep and we had no night time to the trip at all. Oh, and he would never fall asleep in the stroller so we felt bad keeping him out late every night because he was so exhausted. The next year we were able to get the villa which had a separate bedroom and it was awesome. He went to sleep fine in the bedroom while we stayed up in the main area. Once our second son was born, it got even easier because they had eachother in the bedroom and my younger son would lay in the crib while my older son laid in the bed and after a few minutes of tv they would both be asleep. We just got back from a trip to Ocean City, MD and stayed in a suite and it worked out perfectly. Of course, it costs us alot more but we just travel less and spend more when we go because if not, the trip is not enjoyable for us because like you said we don't want to go to sleep when they do.

we lucked out on our cruise last year. we upsized to a suite and it had a curtain to pull between us and the pnp. my friend was worried about this with her 2yo recently,as she had been having some sleep troubles of late. turns out the kid not only slept through the night, but late! she and others have told me the trick is to totally wear them out during the day and they will sleep like 'babies' at night. we will have a similar situatin with lia in september. not sure how we will resolve it yet.

also, call ahead to the hotel and ask if they have something you could use as a partition.

I would suggest keeping them as active as possible during the day so they will be really tired. Kids sleep soundly and I don't think partioning a room will be necessary. Good luck and have fun1

I went through th esame questions and thoughts when my son was 13 months, for our first vacation. I made sure I brought all the items we normally use during the night time routine. That meant a couple of his DVD's, Music Cd that he was used to, and some famaliar toys for the bath. It really went better than I expected, he was excited about the new bed. We put him in a toddler bed and attached it to our bed, and put his regular night time CD on. Whenever we go on vacations, I do lay down with him till he goes to sleep, but at home he goes to his bed in his room without me staying in there. I do stay with him on vacations, because the new environment, and he really loves laying down with me. We went to a hotel room when he was 13 months, but our room had a balcony so that really helped. My husband and I would grab a bottle of wine and hang out on the balcony. Also we had brought a portable DVD player that had 2 sets of ear pieces, and when we came inside we hung out and watched some DVD's that we brought with us. I have to say that was the only time we stayed in a hotel room so far, I have been booking studios and apartments since then, It is so much easier with a kitchen and seperate rooms. See if you can get a room with a balcony or pattio to get some privacy, and have fun.

I havent taken my daughter on a vacation yet, but a friend of mine when she went on vacation with her son and she set up the pack n play in the closet. She said it was a relatively large closet and her son like the safe feeling of it. I use a sound machine with my daughter because she use to be such a light sleeper and it has really helped if there is going to be noise around while she is napping. good luck, I hope you have a great vacation with a hotel room with a big closet : ).

Hi A., if you have room in your budget, the first idea that came to mind was getting a room that's a suite. Sometimes hotels will accomadate with discounted suite rooms at the time of check-in or a few days before if they have not rented them out or if they are slow.(This is what we ususally do.) Not sure how one would actually partition the room to keep quite enough for the little ones...good luck!

Honestly, if you can afford it, try getting a suite, or maybe even ajoining rooms so you can leave the door open between your room and the boys' room. My son is not a good sleeper when traveling either and we took a trip in May when he was 12 months old. Naps went out the window for that week. I would just try to keep the same routine. If you read to him at night, bring those books along. If he has a favorite blanket or toy, bring that along too. Good luck and enjoy your vacation.

when you check in ask if you can have your room upgraded to a suite (with minimum fee or free). secondly, i really don't think partitioning the room will help you and DH have time alone. Esp. the 3 year old will want to stay up when he sees you two up. We take our just now 4 year olds everywhere with us. they love hotel stays. we usually get two double beds. Hubby sleeps with one, I with the other one. Their bedtime flies out of the window when in hotels, but kids are as happy as they can be.
So, my advice is. get the one year old to pack n play, get some crafts stuff with you for your 3 year old and let him play on the floor, or at the table while you and hubby talk or whatever. that's what we do. we bring with us those leapster stuff, they each sit on their beds and play while we hang out.i think you'll find it best to have him feel like a grown up instead of struggling to make him go to sleep. good luck

Hi A.,
I'm not sure where your vacation will be, but some hotels offer sitters. You and your husband can go out to dinner and be back to put the kids to bed. We did that when we were in St. John, VI. She was great she played with them and put them to bed. My little girl was only 3 months old. My husband and I had a great time even though it was only for a short time. We went out 2-3 nights out of the week. Made our vacation pretty enjoyable. Good luck and have a great time on your vacation.