Routines on vacation

sammiesjd414 · July 2013

Hi ladies, lurker trying to keep the board going. We are on vacation and lo's schedule is all off. Its my whole family, including two 4stops year old nephews, so its go go go. The first two days she did great, then i could tell it was too much, so yesterday i made sure she had a nap, and she slept three hours! However, that means i was stuck in the hotel room. I want her to be happy, but we are on vacation. How do you balance routines and vacation?

sammiesjd414 · July 2013

Scout2005 said:
Personally, we stick to routines no matter what. It means less fun on vacation, but it's just the age. They're so young.

They don't know or care that you are on vacation, you know? They need their sleep and routines, regardless of where you are.

It's temporary. They'll be big kids before we know it, and more flexible, but for the next couple of years it's going to be a sacrifice in parental fun.

My kids are very set in their bedtime, and it is what it is. We make the most of the day, accept nap will interrupt the day, and just know our nights end early right now.

It's also why we are waiting to spend money on big trips until they are older and we can all enjoy them.

You have a great point about saving trips until they ar older. Currently we are visiting my grandparents for 5 days, so seeing them is the important part. Its hard keeping up with my whole family. I think when it is just dd dh and myself it will be easier to stick to dd's schedule.

JayandEmm · July 2013

I usually just throw routines out the window when we're out of town. I try to schedule long car rides or long stroller walks around nap time though, so he sleeps the whole time.

Megispreg · July 2013

It obviously depends on how flexible your baby is, but for us we try not to deviate from the sleeping schedule too much. And yeah, that means missing out on some fun. But a miserable baby is not fun either, ya know?

I realize now that vacations were easier when she was younger. Sharing a hotel room at this age kind of sucks. We do occasionally do naps in the stroller. Maybe that would work for you?

CLeigh03 · July 2013

Um, well, vacation is just different now with kids, ha. I always do my best to give B what he needs so I was often sitting inside a house alone while everyone was out having fun. I realize it won't be like that forever!

twoitalians · July 2013

We were on vacation for a week the beginning of the month and I thought the routines would all be thrown off. I was pleasantly surprised that DS adjusted to a time zone change rather well and when I was worried about him taking naps he ended up falling asleep in the stroller. It did kinda suck that he still kept to his 8pm bedtime so that meant I was at my aunt's house or the hotel room while my family was still out for drinks or sightseeing, but we would get up earlier than the rest of them so we did more in the beginning of the day.

I figure you just gotta roll with it and take it for what it is while they are young. Babies won't remember much at this age, so the sights are really for us. I'm ok with adjusting my vacation around my baby. I'll only have him this little once.

AutumnLeaves2 · July 2013

We went on vacation for just a few days last week but we kind of let go of DD's schedule and let her sleep in the car, at the beach, in her backpack, etc. she really didn't seem too "off" and it was nice that we all got to enjoy our vacation. Maybe next time DS naps for that long, you can take shifts with someone else? It's great that he's sleeping and getting back his energy, but I definitely sympathize with not wanting to miss out.
I would say forgo his schedule and just wing it while you can. Have fun! Vacations with a baby are so much fun!!

CLeigh03 · July 2013

Scout2005 said:

I would say forgo his schedule and just wing it while you can. Have fun! Vacations with a baby are so much fun!!
That is going to be dependent on the kid. I love my babies, but vacationing with them is decidedly not fun.

Laughing - THIS!!! B is a disaster if he is not on schedule. That is not fun.

Manda-Kay · July 2013

His routine was way off on way there and back. He was on schedule once we got there! I just worked around his schedule.

piphigirl · July 2013

Agree with @Scout2005 on all counts. Obviously visiting family is important so I would just try to keep DD on her usual routine. Sme kids do not "go with the flow" and it is important to take care of their sleep needs before your fun needs. This is how our DD is. When we need to go out of town for other things (I.e. a wedding this weekend) we leave DD with grandparents. She is much happier that way.

Tapthathank · July 2013

I agree with Scout. It really depends on your baby. DS needs to stick to his schedule/routine. Otherwise he will lose his shiiit. He needs to nap after breakfast and after lunch. It's tough at this age, but vacations will be more fun when they are older!

Maybe you could take turns the next time he naps that long. Does the hotel have a pool? You could sit out there while your DH sits in the hotel room. Or if he will nap in his stroller, try that while you sit outside. That definitely wouldn't work for us at this age, but it did at 6 months!

sdlaura · July 2013

We stick to DD's schedule, and try to plan vacations so that it's easy to do that. We stay places where she can have a crib in a separate room from ours, and stay in a location where it's easy to go out for a few hours and then come back to the house for naps. We're going on a beach trip with all of the family in early September, and we rented a house that is walking distance from both the beach and the town, so that each couple with a child (there will be three kids) can do whatever makes the most sense for them in terms of naps and bedtimes.

Plus, I like the fact that she naps so well in a crib at predictable times. I think a big part of vacation is taking downtime to relax, so I really enjoy having a quiet hour or two to read a magazine or whatever while she's napping.

latnprincess · July 2013

I definitely make sure they still nap and what not, but we are not tied to a schedule on vacation. I let him sleep when he's tired and eat when he's hungry. We are go with the flow people. He might get small cat naps all day, but he's fine usually. I have pretty easy going kids when it comes to that. Only you know your kids!

NeneCakies · July 2013

On a very special Pregnant in Heels, Rosie schooled some parents-to-be that wanted a "flexible baby" because they like spontaneous trips and were selfish A-holes. So they took a robot baby to a wine tasting and it ruined everything by acting alive and needy. Money well spent everyone, babies ruin trips, case closed! We are also former selfish A-holes but still bring DD places knowing she runs the show. We try to keep on her approximate schedule where possible and just tag team the fun having.

NeneCakies · July 2013

Ok, there are also times when DD surprises us by being cool with change. I just keep my expectations low and all is well. And wanting to have fun doesn't make you a selfish A-hole, I was only speaking of those douche canoes on TV, and myself.

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