A tip for giving your toddler a "private room"

[ginnymack]

I just wanted to share a tip that helped us a ton on our last trip...I had a toddler in a pack-n-play that I KNEW would never go to sleep if she could see the rest of the family. I was living in fear of a cranky 18 month old who would not take a nap. I came up with an inexpensive solution that worked great! Position the P-n-P in a corner if you can. Attach a pair of large 3m Command Hooks to the wall (about 6 feet high just outside the edge of the P-n-p) following package directions. Next take attach 2 large binder clips to the edge of a sheet - the darker the sheet the better! Then hook the binder clips over the command hooks to make a private little tent around the P-n-P. Obviously, your little one can hear noises from the room, but if you want to quietly move around the room or take a nap yourself, you can do so without your little one seeing you and demanding to be freed!

 

[thebeesknees]

Great idea!

 

[DentalDana]

Thanks for the tip. DH and I are going to try it in December!

ETA: What size sheet did you use?

 

[Goofy_Dad_24]

What are command hooks? Do they go into the wall? If so, I would think the hotel would charge you damages to fix the holes.

 

[mickeymousemom]

Command hooks are the ones made by 3M that use an adhesive to stick to the wall. They don't do any damage as they pull easily off the wall(yet are strong enough to hold up to a few pounds) when you're done with them. I've used them several times and think the OP has a wonderful idea!!

 

[GrammyJudy]

WOULD THE PNP FIT NEAR THE SINKS IN A MOD? WE ARE STAYING AT por

 

[Swimalie]

You know, that's not even a bad idea to hang a sheet from the ceiling using those clips. My son is 4 and goes to bed a lot earlier than we do. He won't sleep well in a hotel room if we are up. We might get some clips for the ceiling and large sheets and try that. Thanks!

 

[henry72]

Great idea! We stayed at CBR and put the pnp next to the sink/closet. They have a folding curtain that closes and divides that area off from the rest of the room. That is where DS slept last time and DD will sleep this time. It is like they have their own room.

 

[ginnymack]

Grammy Judy - We stayed at POFQ and were able to put the pnp in the corner near the bathroom. Using the curtain would work as well, but we were still puttering around the room, showering, using the bathroom, etc.

Goofy Dad - The Command Brand hooks come right off the wall, leaving no hole, scratch or adhesive residue. They are great!

Swimalie - I thought about the ceiling, but I could not get it to work right. If you put it at the height of your extendend arm, you can move it "open and closed" easily and the sheet is long enough to hide the mesh sides that they can peek through.

Glad this tip is going to help someone else - it was a life saver for us!