Vacationing with a 2 1/2 yo = MAJOR FAIL

scarletii · August 2011

Well, I tried to take the kids to the kite festival this weekend. We went last year with 2 other families and had so much fun! We were supposed to stay 3 nights...and lasted just 1 night. Gavin got maybe a 15 minute nap in the car on the way down (his only one of the day - he'll be 3 in October.) So, he should have been plenty tired going to bed at 10:30 (3-hrs later than when I usually put him in his crib at home). Within 10 min of trying to get Gavin to sleep he starts jumping in the pack and play. People below us have no patience and complain to front desk (literally within 10 minutes). I took him on a walk at 11pm (dragging poor Hannah with me) to get him to sleep only to be woken up by the elevator. Then I thought maybe he'll just fall asleep in bed with us. Nope, won't stay in bed. At midnight I put the kids in the car. He wakes up when we get back into the room at 1. I get him back to sleep. I attempt to put him in the pack and play but he wakes up. I get him back to sleep and just put him in bed with me. He sleeps in the bed but I don't sleep very well. I'm like on the edge of the bed, cause he's curled up against me. Then I keep hearing the door rattle - window is closed, but must be the suction of air through the building (elevator??) He's Up for the day at 5:20. So, we left. I wasn't about to go through another night of that!! It broke my heart to have to tell Hannah that we were going home and not staying for the festival. She was sooo good about all of this. And the hotel was so nice and refunded me the other 2 nights, when it was a 3-night required stay. My mom has offered (which she's NEVER done) to stay with Gavin next summer so we can enjoy the festival. And she's offered to babysit Gavin next weekend, so Hannah and I can have some girl time. Aw... I love my mom!!!

Anyone else had this happen? I'm so sad, cause I love to travel. Hopefully it's just a phase and one he'll outgrow once he's in a toddler bed. *sigh* But would love some tips if anyone has any!!

Seattle_JiLLn · August 2011

My guess is he was way over tired and amped up. Coupled with a new place, he just couldn't settle. I would bet that day 2 would have been better. But I can see that being on that little sleep would just make me (and everyone) grumpy. So I can understand why you just gave up. I'd assume next year would be better because he'll be 3 1/2.

greenmtbride · August 2011

Ugh, that is terrible! My kid does not travel well so I can relate. We haven't had this bad of an experience yet, but I am dreading a trip we have planned in Nov. DS just doesn't nap on the go and will not fall asleep if we are in the room with him.

glad you get to spend extra time with DD to make up for her disappointment.

KNemo · August 2011

Seattle_JiLLn:
My guess is he was way over tired and amped up. Coupled with a new place, he just couldn't settle. I would bet that day 2 would have been better. But I can see that being on that little sleep would just make me (and everyone) grumpy. So I can understand why you just gave up. I'd assume next year would be better because he'll be 3 1/2.

This, exactly. Max doesn't do well on the first night in a new place. We can usually get him to sleep with us, in the middle of the night, but then he wakes up super early. We usually have to just run him ragged until nap time, then he crashes out and we repeat the process before bed. Night two is always so much better than night one. I am sorry you and H missed the festival. G should be much better next year, though!

mrssmith717 · August 2011

Yeah, over tired = worst night's sleep EVER for Laurel. Bummer.

Mama_v2.0 · August 2011

Ditto Jill. Even my 1 year old does this when we are out of the normal routine at home.

breebree13 · August 2011

I'm sorry! I hope it's better next time! I'm going to pretend that I didn't read this or any of the responses and that my kids will sleep fine when we go on vacation in December! Wink

tfarabians · August 2011

I'm so sorry! What a bummer and Hannah is a trooper!! I'm sure next year he will be much better as Jill said. You have a lot more reasoning power with a 3 1/2 year old! Cruz never traveled well either. In fact Disneyland was our first good trip with him at 2 weeks shy of his 3rd birthday and he was SO exhausted everyday that I'm sure that helped. We barely made it to hood canal this year I suspect with Jagger. I'm thinking he will not sleep well next year if we travel. Hope you guys have caught up on some sleep!

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Vacationing with a 2 1/2 yo = MAJOR FAIL

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