Vacations and how you change routine

We've been going away since DS1 was a baby. There are some vacations better than others. The boys are now 5 and 3 so it's gotten much easier. I'm looking forward to going away next month.

Just wanted to see what things change when you're away? Does your LO sleep well when in a hotel? Do you keep routine the same? You bring their vitamins? cups? etc?

I try to stick to timeshares when going on big vacations so we usually put the boys to bed first then we go later. Since we have a 1 bedroom TS DS2 used to go in a crib and DS1 would go on the floor (in a sleeping bag or on a cot). We haven't stayed in a 2 bedroom hotel since last year and trying to get my youngest to sleep with everyone get annoying bc he LOVES to talk. He's a great sleeper though.

Re: Vacations and how you change routine

We don't really keep a routine at all when on vacation. Our lives are SO overly structured every single day, I think we all welcome the break. - The boys included.

I always make sure I have snacks and drinks for them, and I usually pack a loaf of bread & PB/J b/c they are hungry at random times - I also bring their thermos bottles, but only blc it makes life easy to travel w/ them, and the take & toss straw cups. - again, to make life easy. I hate 900 wasted juice boxes all over the place.

We bring their iPads - we use them when it's time to wind down and relax. They'll watch a movie or TV show.

But other than that ..........it's kind of a free for all.

A lot of the time we're in a normal hotel room We've done cabins and suites with separate bedrooms ......either way it's difficult to get them to sleep b/c they're always so exicted. Once they're out though - thye are OUT

Message edited 1/14/2015 11:18:17 AM.

Re: Vacations and how you change routine

My kids are (and have always been) VERY regimented with bedtimes and naps. I've always had routines with them from the time they were babies and I've always stuck to them. That being said, when we're on vacation, I have NO choice but to ease up and go with the flow.

We went to Disney for ten days back in October, my DD was 6 and DS was 1.5 yrs old. Usually she's in bed at 8pm and him at 6:30pm for the night. He also takes a 2-3 hr nap every day. While we were away we didn't rush back to the hotel for naps or bedtimes. I got a double stroller and they both passed out in there throughout the day if they were tired and my DS would fall asleep in it at night while we were hanging out in the parks. Most night we weren't back at the hotel until 11pm, we would just transfer them to bed and they slept fine. The first night or two it took them a little extra time to fall asleep but once they were use to the room/bed they didn't have a problem falling right asleep.

Once we got home I put them right back on their regular bedtime schedules without a problem. I think it's hard to really stick to your usual routines on vacation, the LAST thing I wanted was to be sitting around Disney in a hotel watching them sleep so I just did what I wanted and they rolled with it.

Message edited 1/14/2015 11:25:52 AM.

Re: Vacations and how you change routine

Posted by MarisaK

We don't really keep a routine at all when on vacation. Our lives are SO overly structured every single day, I think we all welcome the break. - The boys included.

I always make sure I have snacks and drinks for them, and I usually pack a loaf of bread & PB/J b/c they are hungry at random times - I also bring their thermos bottles, but only blc it makes life easy to travel w/ them, and the take & toss straw cups. - again, to make life easy. I hate 900 wasted juice boxes all over the place.

We bring their iPads - we use them when it's time to wind down and relax. They'll watch a movie or TV show.

But other than that ..........it's kind of a free for all.

A lot of the time we're in a normal hotel room We've done cabins and suites with separate bedrooms ......either way it's difficult to get them to sleep b/c they're always so exicted. Once they're out though - thye are OUT

Vacations and how you change routine

Routine.....whats that! Seriously though...we aren't big on routine at home so it's even more lax when we are away.

Re: Vacations and how you change routine

We try to stick to the routine for meal times, bath and bedtimes. My oldest is 5 and we would be more flexible if it was just him. But my 2 yo still needs her nap, and after a full day of activities, both kids are wiped out at the end of the day. They are so tired, they are craving bedtime.

Re: Vacations and how you change routine

We don't have a routine at home, so forget it on vaca.

I will say though, DD does NOT sleep well on vacation.
She is scared to sleep in a room alone that she is not familiar with so even if we get a suite, I end up sleeping with her.

This trip we just booked 2 queen beds so I can sleep in one with her and DH can have the other.
The extra bedroom winds up being a waste for us because she won't fall asleep in it and/or wakes up freaked out in the middle of the night if she is alone in an unfamiliar place.

In terms of cups etc- she has always been fine drinking out of whatever when we go out- that was never an issue.

I usually forget to bring her vitamins, so that's usually out the window. If I remember I will.

Message edited 1/14/2015 1:14:05 PM.

Re: Vacations and how you change routine

We have a different weekend & weekday routine.
We follow the weekend routine when on vacation.
We go to sleep late & wake up late (well, 9AM, but that is late now).

The kids are amazingly adaptable to all of this.

We were always the type of people who would shift our nap times around activities & not visa versa.

ETA: Kids sleep fine in hotels. We sleep one in a crib & other on a sofa or chair.

Kids don't take vitamins: they eat really well.

Kids drink out of cups (like we do). This makes everything more convenient. They have no need to walk around with water all the time.

Message edited 1/14/2015 1:25:33 PM.

Re: Vacations and how you change routine

The only things I really keep the same is I bring their cuddle items that htey sleep with, I bring a few books each likes for story time, and thats really it! Last year in Lake George my little one slept in a bed for the first time because he didnt want to go in the crib, and at the time he was still taking a bottle to go to bed and he was so tired that he just passed ot each night no bottle!

We arent very regimented people at home, and we have always been pretty flexible with vacations, time off from school etc. So my kids just kinda go with the flow. They have always slept well in hotels, may take a little longer to get them down. But generally if we are staying in one room, I would have my DH take oldest son to walk the hotel while I put DS2 down. Then they would come back and we would all lay down to sleep.

Cups I do bring but more for convenience, so I know I have a sippy or waterbottle with me. Vitamins I have taken and other times forgotten to bring...

Re: Vacations and how you change routine

Vacations and how you change routine

We try to but don't push it too hard. LO usually becomes hungry or tired around the same time so we try to just always have stuff with us in case LO needs to eat or needs to sleep.

We are realizing as time goes on, it's easier to break out of the routine while on vacation.

Re: Vacations and how you change routine

My kids are older so naps are no longer an issue. If we go away for a week, there is no schedule. We just roll with where the day takes us. If we're only away for a weekend, I attempt to get them to sleep close to their home bedtime so I don't screw them up too much.