So. Jess has 4. I have 2. Clearly, I have it easy (or at least easIER). Cause 4? I get all sweaty and itchy. She's my hero. Pretty sure if I had 4 traveling wouldn't be an option until everyone could at least wipe their own ass.
But. I have done and do do (he he he :)) a decent amount of traveling with my 3 year old and 1 year old. We are wrapping up a week away from home and I have some tidbits of advice. Take it or leave it. Or like Jess said, just stay home.
The baby always ends up in a closet or bathroom. My kids aren't old enough yet to sleep in the same room, let alone the same bed. Because she's not a guaranteed sleep through the night type of gal and he's not a not pee the bed all night type of guy. If they were in the same room and one woke up, the other would too. No one wants that. So. She sleeps in her pack and play in a closet. Or bathroom. I think my parents think we are torturing her. But she sleeps.
If you can, take your pack and play with you. I know she sleeps in her own pack and play so why risk a funky, rickety hotel crib if I can just drag along my own pack and play? Come to think of it, take anything and everything you can with you. Pack a car to it's gills. I have mentioned before that airlines let you check baby items for free. Take advantage. The more familiar stuff you have with you, the better off everyone is.
Ditch your schedule. Beds are weird. Rooms are weird. Routines are non existent. So. Ditch them. Do not worry about them. Cause you will only drive yourself crazy. Not everyone eats dinner at 5:30 and goes to sleep by 8 so don't expect everyone to rearrange their lives and schedules for you and your kids. If you have to miss out on something because of a meltdown, so be it. Kind of part of the deal when you have kids. Annoying, right? :)
All of the above require patience. And also the knowledge that a vacation with small children, is not a vacation. Sure. It's an escape from regular life but you will not read a book or a magazine. You don't have afternoon drinks or take a nap. Sorry.
What else you got ladies? Other traveling wisdom?
We just got back from driving 9 1/2 hrs. (one way) to see our family and brought our 4 kids along for the...fun. We make the trip at least once a year and have found that driving through the night works best for us. We also throw out our usual limits on media and let the little buggers watch as many DVDs as it takes for them to all pass out! When we reach our destination (the in-laws) we make sure we keep the kids as busy as possible during the day so they sleep better at night.
ReplyDeleteThe trip gets easier every year and as our gang gets older. YAY! to no more trying to nurse the baby in his car seat (God forbid we make another stop) all while staying in a seat belt myself. Good times. Good times ;)
Uh, I HATE traveling with a little one. I can't imagine 2+! It is so stressful for me. Because I have my Evelyn on such a schedule she will not fall asleep anywhere besides her crib. So pack n plays are what we travel with obviously but we always have a hard time getting her down, especially if we're in the room with her. Glad to know traveling isn't easy for everyone :) Glad to have found your blog!
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