Children's behavior in hotels

[Shimmer]

We are getting set for 8+ days staying in a Kid's Suite at the HOJO.

My kids are 3, 4, and 10. Usually in hotels I have pretty high expectations that my kids will keep their voices down in the hotel rooms, not jump on beds, etc. I also ask they walk in the halls and whisper in the halls. While this is something I aspire too, it is hard to always make it happen (especially with young, excited, and tired kids). Sometimes I feel like I'm not having any fun...I'm just reminding kids to be quiet.

For those of you who travel with kids, what are your hotel "rules"? How do you make them work?

For those of you who travel without kids, what are your expectations of the children and their parents in a hotel?

Thanks!

 

[nunzia]

We had standards for our kids and now our grandkids. Generally, treat the room with repsect ( I hate those commercials showing kids jumping on beds..why they would do that), remember that people are in other rooms so keep it down especially late at night or early in the morning..no yel;ling, clunking against the wall or things like that. As far as the hallways go, again, walk quietly late or early, but otherwise it doesn't bother us much if they are whopping with excitement a bit or walking fast. We stress politeness, elevator, restaurant, ride line, etc etiquette.

 

[LuLusApple]

I always find it's pretty hard to corral kids who are excited about going to Disneyland. I expect to hear some noise at a family hotel, within waking hours.
It's a lot of fun for kids in hotels, I try not to make all the rules we have at home apply. But I do remind them that others are trying to enjoy their time at the hotel too. So I ask that they not go overboard and we all have a good time

 

[pdxJolene]

As a traveler without kids I think the main problems i've experienced are kids running around in the lobby, stairs, halls, etc without any parents around. Or worse, while the parents are watching. Banging and stomping are much more noticable than voices personally, unless you are YELLING of course. And maybe this is because I'm not a parent, but I just can't understand how people let a 3-4-5-6 year old child (NOT a baby) kick and scream to get what they want. I see this in resturants frequently. If I had ever let out a scream at that age in a public place my mom would have taken me outside and let me have it!

 

[4bugzinarug]

I think this just depends on your own "house rules". Our house rules are that loud voices/yelling are for outdoors ... whether at a hotel or at our home. Unless there is something special going on (party, etc). We remind our kids that others are trying to sleep, and that we share this space with many other families who need their rest. They have each been woken up in the middle of the night (in the past) by loud guests in the hallways. So they know how it feels to need their rest and are respectful of it. They have been trained since toddlerhood on "ssshhhh!" in the hallways, so now at 9 and 7 they just do what is the norm.

We don't spend much time in the hotel room itself, and they get plenty of opportunities to get their crazy on out in the pool or going for walks, etc. It can be hard to keep it mannerly at times but we would hate to ruin someone elses's morning or night by being noisy. Most of us work pretty hard to get to Disneyland! So respect is key (while still having fun!)

 

[Disney Dreams]

...For those of you who travel without kids, what are your expectations of the children and their parents in a hotel?

Thanks!

Thanks for asking the opinion of the kid-less.

We adore kids, but don't have any. We understand kids' genuine excitement and excess of energy. However, what we do not understand is parents who allow their children to run wildly through restaurants, shops, lobbies or why screaming (shrieking?) in a restaurant is tolerated.

We have many children in our lives and their parents do not tolerate this behavior for so much as a second. When we see it, we just don't understand why it is permitted. Yes, they are children, but does that give them free-reign to disrupt those around them.

Now, if a child is running through Fantasyland laughing, screaming, and showing uncontrollable enjoyment of the magic - that's a completely different thing. Context is the key.

HTH,
Dreams

 

[JadeDarkstar]

my kid dose not leave the room with out one of us, I do know i have heard lot of kids running in halls. I would never let my kid. Now yes he jumped on bed one time we got a pic an then we told him ok now no more. so he didn't an we do use our inside voices.

 

[tholczer]

I echo what other posters have said. With kids, you expect some level of noise. You can always tell the difference, though, between the kids whose parents expect a certain level of control and parents who don't pay any attention.

Sounds like you are doing a good job there. Sometimes you have to be the lid on their eternal excitement because they forget where they are. It's fun to make a game out of it. When you're about to go through the hallways, you can pretend it's a giant cave and whomever stays the quietest, wins a point. Then whomever has the most "quiet points" at the end of the trip gets a small prize. Or maybe they all get a prize for trying. Sometimes it helps to make it fun, then you don't feel you're nagging as much

Tracy

 

[nana50]

Just remember that you are all there for fun, not discipline. The Hojo is kind of a family hotel so I expect a little rowdiness. As long as it isn't too early, or too late it doesn't bother me. I'm a elementary school librarian so I expect quiet in my library. I also expect good behavior in a restaurant. When at Disney, let go and have fun. This does not mean being rude, but high spirits are fun to see. Even when coming down the hall in the evening and being a little loud doesn't bother me. After 9:00p.m. though they should be quiet. Some people may have finally just got that baby to sleep.

 

[kvogel11202]

Parenting doesn't end at the Disney gate- and unfortunately some parents don't seem to get that. It is our job to teach kids how to behave in publlic! Now - it seems you've got a handle on that! However I can't tell you how many times I have awoken to hear kids running up and down the hallways at Diseny hotels at all hours! Or had to go tell kids to get back to their own table at restaurants! My own kids are usually horrified by this! Seriously - so while nagging is not in order, I find usually kids whose parents have already established the base for good behavior usually only need a look or quick reminder! No one wants to be a drag in Disney! If your concerned enough to ask, chances are you and your family are not an issue at all!

 

[darph nader]

I wish someone would bottle up all that energy. I'd buy a case of it.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Kids misbehaving don't worry me... It's the teenagers, and people old enough to know better, that really bother me!

 

[LizfromOz]

One thing I always have to remind my kids about - only press the elevator button for your floor, not every single one of them just to make the numbers light up pretty! This, I find, is a surefire way to make enemies of our fellow lift users.

We spent 10 nights last November in a Hojo Kids Suite, and I found they were pretty well soundproofed. We were the last room at the elevator end so there was no room either side of us. We heard no noise from above either. My 5 yr old was unwell one night, crying very loudly, and when I left the room to go down to the store for some tylenol as soon as I closed the door there was no sound whatsoever to be heard from our room.

As stated previously, the Hojo is a family hotel, so some noise from excited kids is expected (tired and cranky kids and adults also, lol).

 

[Podgieree]

I too do not have children, but I have been a middle school teacher so I have spent a fair amount of time around kids. I make sure to commend children that are well behaved. They often light up that someone has taken notice of their efforts. When I see a family really enjoying themselves, all the while respectful of those around them, that, to me, is a magical moment.

 

[tomato]

I have so much appreciation and respect for parents who are concerned about this. It seems the majority are in their own little worlds when they are traveling.

Hallway noise drives me NUTS. And my "waking hours" and yours may be different (even in a Disneyland hotel!) so you can't go by that. We have always tried to be quiet as church mice in our hotel hallways, including not letting the doors close automatically because that shakes walls sometimes!

 

[tanyaewa]

We emphasize *respect* in all public places. Hotels, restaurants, theatres etc. This also includes Disneyland.
It is imperative to be respectful to the owners & hosts, employees & other guests - although it takes some reminding!! There is no reason you can't have a great time - while not bothering others
Parks & beaches and inside our own home - run and yell all you like!

 

[LavenderPeach]

I agree with what everyone is saying - being respectful in public places and parents watching their kids, etc but i just have to add one other perspective to all this. If you see a kid having a melt down or yelling at an inappropriate time, please keep in mind that it is possible that the child might be autistic or have some other "hidden" issue. Not that it's appropriate for them to yell either but it's a totally different story of how to handle it and it doesn't mean that the parents aren't doing their job, it's just a difficult situation. My DS (4.5) looks totally "normal" but will sometimes yell if it's too loud (like a loud restaurant) and he sometimes has immediate melt downs about small issues with little warning. I hope I'm not starting some sort of debate by saying this, i just wanted to give a different perspective on the subject.

 

[tanyaewa]

You are absolutely correct LavenderPeach. And I am sure that you are a good and attentive caregiver that will try to make it as easy for your little one as possible when he is challenged by a situation.
There is an absolute difference between the actions of children who are able to modify their own behaviour and those who need more help doing so. Whether it be because the child is non-typical, young, inexperienced, immature - as long as we adults are helping them learn to cope then no one can point fingers of blame for behaviour. We need to help them cope and learn how to relate to diff environments

 

[Mugglemama]

I agree with what everyone is saying - being respectful in public places and parents watching their kids, etc but i just have to add one other perspective to all this. If you see a kid having a melt down or yelling at an inappropriate time, please keep in mind that it is possible that the child might be autistic or have some other "hidden" issue. Not that it's appropriate for them to yell either but it's a totally different story of how to handle it and it doesn't mean that the parents aren't doing their job, it's just a difficult situation. My DS (4.5) looks totally "normal" but will sometimes yell if it's too loud (like a loud restaurant) and he sometimes has immediate melt downs about small issues with little warning. I hope I'm not starting some sort of debate by saying this, i just wanted to give a different perspective on the subject.

I'm glad you pointed this out...I always try to keep this in mind! I don't have any autistic children myself, but my longtime friend does, and it's helped me to always consider the possibility.

OP, our kids range from age 5 to 18, and I would NEVER tolerate them making trouble for other hotel guests. They must know that, lol, because we've stayed in a LOT of hotels, and I've never once had an issue with any of them being too loud.

Even though I am not among those traveling without kids, I absolutely HATE when other people let their kids out alone if they are the types to disrupt everyone else. But I really hate that in general, not just in hotels.

Thanks for being among the courteous!!

 

[fronkfam]

I agree with what everyone is saying - being respectful in public places and parents watching their kids, etc but i just have to add one other perspective to all this. If you see a kid having a melt down or yelling at an inappropriate time, please keep in mind that it is possible that the child might be autistic or have some other "hidden" issue. Not that it's appropriate for them to yell either but it's a totally different story of how to handle it and it doesn't mean that the parents aren't doing their job, it's just a difficult situation. My DS (4.5) looks totally "normal" but will sometimes yell if it's too loud (like a loud restaurant) and he sometimes has immediate melt downs about small issues with little warning. I hope I'm not starting some sort of debate by saying this, i just wanted to give a different perspective on the subject.

Thank you so much for sharing this! We have a daughter with ADD and a son with severe disabilities. He is 10 (and mobile like a 10 year old) but behaves more like a 1.5 year old. Running and happy noises and also loud, crying noises are common with our family. We always try to contain them as much as we can.

I hope that I am tolerant of other families' issues as well. You can usually tell when a parent is helping their child learn proper behavior versus just ignoring it. And sometimes those hard-working parents just need a smile or a genuine offer to help. Once, when alone with my children, one of them had a meltdown. It was so wonderful to have someone stop and ask if they could help....rather than just staring, pointing or smirking....
This kind person wasn't able to help my distressed child, but did help distract my other children until I was able to give them more of my attention.