GF - one room with 2 small kids...

[shamrock20]

my 5.5 month old is still breastfeeding and we also have a 25 month old. I realize we will be on vaca and the schedule will be out the window but how do you handle

1.) naps? Don't your kids just pop up and stare at you?
2.) bedtime? and don't you then have to hang out in silence or just go to bed with them too?
3.) breastfeeding? Our daughter's starting to get very distracted and with only 1 rm and the bathroom what are our options?

I am trying to get an adjoining rm but since it is next wk they are sold out.

TIA!!!

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

my 5.5 month old is still breastfeeding and we also have a 25 month old. I realize we will be on vaca and the schedule will be out the window but how do you handle

1.) naps? Don't your kids just pop up and stare at you?
2.) bedtime? and don't you then have to hang out in silence or just go to bed with them too?
3.) breastfeeding? Our daughter's starting to get very distracted and with only 1 rm and the bathroom what are our options?

I am trying to get an adjoining rm but since it is next wk they are sold out.

TIA!!!

Hey - As far as the naps go, I think you just have to go with the flow. If they are good stroller nappers, then you can stay in the park and enjoy some adult stuff while they nap. If not, then you will have to go back to the room, take the nap, maybe a dip in the pool after, then go back to the parks at night if you want.
As far as bed time, with two little ones in there with you, the only thing we have ever done is go to bed at the same time they have. The only other suggestion I have is if the bathroom is large enough, roll the older ones crib in there so she has a "room" of her own. I know its not the best or nicest place, but it will probaly give her and the rest of you a better trip/nights sleep!
As for the breastfeeding, the only suggestion I have there is, if everyone is in the room, do that in the bathroom as well. Again, not the nicest place to do it, but if you can't keep her still, its a pretty good option. Otherwise, kick DD and DH out to the pool, or the arcade for a bit while you feed the youngest. Going on vacation with young ones is never easy. We went to Baltimore with our girls last year, they were about your girls ages, and truthfully, it wasn't much of a vacation for us. We were back to the hotel every night by 6.30 for bed time, then we just sat there on the laptop after they went to bed because we could not turn the TV on, or go out or anything else. I think Disney will be better, more stuff to keep the little ones interested past their bed time, etc. Plus if you want a night out by yourselves, you can always get a fairy godmother to babysit in the room!

Good luck, and have a great vacation - we will be there in December for our girls first trip!

 

[goofygal531]

We have NEVER gotten two hotel rooms. We travel as a family and a family of 4 has plenty of space in a deluxe resort room.

For naps, my DS1 is a good stroller sleeper. Since we're going this time in June, we're planning on mid day nap breaks for all of us. We also plan on renting the cabana poolside.

By the time we get back in to the room in the evening, both boys are exhausted they both just fall asleep. DH and I get to enjoy some quiet time on the balcony.

I just never understood why people get so freaked out by staying all in one room. It's a vacation! It's different than you're everyday life. The kids will adapt. I think it effects the parents more than the kids.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We have NEVER gotten two hotel rooms. We travel as a family and a family of 4 has plenty of space in a deluxe resort room.

For naps, my DS1 is a good stroller sleeper. Since we're going this time in June, we're planning on mid day nap breaks for all of us. We also plan on renting the cabana poolside.

By the time we get back in to the room in the evening, both boys are exhausted they both just fall asleep. DH and I get to enjoy some quiet time on the balcony.

I just never understood why people get so freaked out by staying all in one room. It's a vacation! It's different than you're everyday life. The kids will adapt. I think it effects the parents more than the kids.

I agree. We have 4 kids and we stay in one room. I am bfing too. I just lay down on the bed if I have to. Put the tv on for the 2.5 year old. We just put the kids to bed and don't give it a second thought. We watch tv, chat etc. The kids pass out. Same for when we do nap time. If they pop up to stare at me I tell them to lay down. It's not really a big deal. I think you are stressing yourself out for no reason. You'll have a great trip. Just relax and go with the flow.

 

[monorailsilver]

Well if you are at the GF, you can go out on the balcony while the kids sleep or as they are falling asleep.

As for nursing, I'd lay down & nurse (my favorite position to nurse anyways) & keep the TV on for back ground noise or just sit out on the balcony & nurse.

I don't get 2 rooms either. It's no biggie & as for bed time, my dh & I are usually just as pooped as the kids & want to go to bed at that time.

When we took my oldest we were able to turn on the TV at the Poly & watch a little a few nights. But during naps we sat outside & put the latch on the 'front door'. We had a bottom floor room & we took turns leaving to do laundry, get drinks, etc...

The last trip it was with 2 kids but my parents were there for a few of the days & their room was next to ours but we still stayed in our room for naps. In fact my then 4 1/2 yo & my then 22 month old & my dh all fell asleep in the same room for a nap!

This trip in August, I am not sure if my 4 1/2 will nap (he was 22 months the last trip) & I don't think my soon to be 7 yo will nap but I will encourage my now 2 yo to nap even though she doesn't at home.

I am sure you will be fine..just go with the flow.

 

[vettechick99]

It really depends on your kids. DD is not a good stroller napper and she needs a good bit of quiet/darkness to nap. Otherwise she wakes up all the time. When she is at the sitter during the day she is lucky to settle down for an hour. She just would rather be up and see what's going on than sleep. So we plan on renting a condo for her first trip because I want to stay on her schedule as much as possible. This way she gets a solid nap and we don't have to poke around in silence.

Another option (for the same price as one GF room) if you really want more room is to book a 1-bedroom at the Beach Club (or any other DVC like WL). It's the size of two regular rooms but one is just a living room and kitchen. That way you can have your privacy to BFeed or DD can have peace and quiet while napping.

 

[twinspluscade]

my 5.5 month old is still breastfeeding and we also have a 25 month old. I realize we will be on vaca and the schedule will be out the window but how do you handle

1.) naps? Don't your kids just pop up and stare at you?
2.) bedtime? and don't you then have to hang out in silence or just go to bed with them too?
3.) breastfeeding? Our daughter's starting to get very distracted and with only 1 rm and the bathroom what are our options?

I am trying to get an adjoining rm but since it is next wk they are sold out.

TIA!!!

1) Pretty much, yeah! . My kids have never napped on vacation. However we still take a break every afternoon...and more than once Mom has fallen asleep. We let the kids watch TV during our afternoon break and basically just have a little down time.

2) Well, since they don't do naps they are pretty tired by bedtime. Plus it's usually 9 or so before we get back to the room. Usually we get the kids bathed and in bed, then Dh and I take turns showering and getting ready for bed. By that point, kids are almost asleep (or already sleeping) and dh and I are ready to sleep too.

3) Maybe your Dh could take the 2 year out of the room a bit while you nurse, and then the baby won't be so distracted?

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

I just never understood why people get so freaked out by staying all in one room. It's a vacation! It's different than you're everyday life. The kids will adapt. I think it effects the parents more than the kids.

I don't think anyone "freeked out" - this is a very understandable question that is on a lot of moms and dads minds - especially the ones who have never travelded with young ones. We are going in December with a 3 (almost 4) year old and 2 year old, and the thought has been on my mind since before we booked. I'm not worried about it, or freeking out about it, but I am interested to know how to make the sleeping situation the best for everyone involved, and how others handle it as well. That is the point of the Disboards, right??

 

[frtchr]

I don't think anyone "freeked out" - this is a very understandable question that is on a lot of moms and dads minds - especially the ones who have never travelded with young ones. We are going in December with a 3 (almost 4) year old and 2 year old, and the thought has been on my mind since before we booked. I'm not worried about it, or freeking out about it, but I am interested to know how to make the sleeping situation the best for everyone involved, and how others handle it as well. That is the point of the Disboards, right??

Amen! We had a hard time with our 11 m.o. last time. She didn't want to sleep because it was so different being in the room with us. We're going in 2009 with a 6 m.o. and a 2 y.o. and I would love to know how people get enough sleep on vacation.

 

[mom~of~2]

We always like getting suites for this reason... however, we often share a room and it's worked just fine. I think your family will figure it out when you get there. Just don't worry about it too much, go with the flow, and have fun!

For us, we tried napping in the room but it didn't work - DDs were too excited being in a new place (and having mom & dad right there). So, we just went out again. Soon, they were both sleeping in their strollers (they never do this at home).

At night, DH and I had big plans to hang out on the balcony. But, after we got the girls settled in, we just wanted to go to sleep also! (If you're not ready to fall asleep, you can always bring a little travel light & read).

 

[goofygal531]

I don't think anyone "freeked out" - this is a very understandable question that is on a lot of moms and dads minds - especially the ones who have never travelded with young ones. We are going in December with a 3 (almost 4) year old and 2 year old, and the thought has been on my mind since before we booked. I'm not worried about it, or freeking out about it, but I am interested to know how to make the sleeping situation the best for everyone involved, and how others handle it as well. That is the point of the Disboards, right??

Freaked out or stressed same thing.

They are your own children. What's the big deal sleeping in the same room with them. I just don't get it.

What child is not exhausted after spend a day in WDW?

I'm a travel agent, and hear it all the time how parents wonder if they should pay extra for a suite to have two rooms so the kids could sleep better. I just personally think this is a waste of money and time thing about it.

I'd rather stress over ADR. Is my young child going to sit in all the restaurants that we'd like to dine in. To me, that's a much more valid concern. Here there's a chance they can disrupt other diners.

 

[vettechick99]

Freaked out or stressed same thing.

They are your own children. What's the big deal sleeping in the same room with them. I just don't get it.

What child is not exhausted after spend a day in WDW?

I'm a travel agent, and hear it all the time how parents wonder if they should pay extra for a suite to have two rooms so the kids could sleep better. I just personally think this is a waste of money and time thing about it.

I'd rather stress over ADR. Is my young child going to sit in all the restaurants that we'd like to dine in. To me, that's a much more valid concern. Here there's a chance they can disrupt other diners.

FWIW, freaked means panicked, not stressed. She didn't sound freaked out or stressed. Just curious really.

Anyway, I think it's important to keep things as normal as possible. Even on vacation. If she wants privacy when BFing or a quieter area for her DD to nap, that's fine. Her choice.

You bring up a good point about dinners, though. If my DD doesn't get a decent nap every day, she crashes at 6 pm. So that means no dinner out for us. Or if she actually makes it to dinner, she is super cranky because she hasn't had any good sleep.

So there are many things to consider!

 

[taitai]

We always get two rooms, a suite or a condo. For us, it just isn't vacation if we are all crammed into the same room. Also, it isn't vacation if I am having to go to bed at 7pm like my kids. For us, it is best for my DH and I to have our own space to do some work, watch tv, order room service, whatever. It is also best for us to keep our kid's schedules as normal as possible. They really do need lots of sleep and so we don't mess with that.

Good luck with getting the second room. Have you looked at a different resort? Maybe another deluxe will have the room situation that works better for you.

Taitai

 

[ninety-seven]

We don't have a problem with everyone freaking out or anything. It is true that they are our kids, but the problem really isn't with us. We have a moody 4 year old that does not do well if she doesn't have her alone time. She can only handle her brothers for so long before she brings out the 'fist of death.'

Seriously though, they are so tired by the end of the day that they are usually asking to go to bed. They don't mind the TV on, or parents talking.

97

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

We don't have a problem with everyone freaking out or anything. It is true that they are our kids, but the problem really isn't with us. We have a moody 4 year old that does not do well if she doesn't have her alone time. She can only handle her brothers for so long before she brings out the 'fist of death.'

Seriously though, they are so tired by the end of the day that they are usually asking to go to bed. They don't mind the TV on, or parents talking.

97

The only thing I have to say about that is that a 4 year old is much different than a 5 month old and 2 year old. I agree, I've shared a room with my 3 year old while on vacation, and kept the TV on while she was going to sleep and when she was sleeping and she had no problem what-so-ever. My 15 month old was a totally different story. Couldn't have the TV on, couldn't get up to go to the bathroom, tried not to breath to loud...
But seriously, I think it depends a lot on the age of the child, not the fact that they are so tired.... that can cause over-tiredness and make it even harder to get them to bed!!

 

[frtchr]

Freaked out or stressed same thing.

They are your own children. What's the big deal sleeping in the same room with them. I just don't get it.

I don't sleep in the same room with my 14 m.o. at home. Being in the same room is a little weird for everyone. What is so hard to get? Some kids don't do well in a new place or with different stimuli in the room. I don't think it's weird at all that someone asked about it.

 

[Relish]

My Ds is the sensitive kind who doesn't sleep well away from home and startles at any noise, creak, or loud breathing. A stroller nap? This is Ds:

At night I nursed him to sleep on one bed. Dh had to sit still and be quiet or earn the glare of death. Nap times nurse then stood with him in the bathroom, where its dark, and let the shower run for white noise and he fell asleep in my arms that way. Then I'd lay him down on one of the beds.

We sit on the balcony for conversation or else bring along some type of white noise maker, or else just keep the hotel room fan running all night (the heater/ac not the bathroom fan). Usually they are nice and loud. If the hotel is too fancy then its not loud enough and we need a Cd. Hotels also usually have great room darkening shades and we make good use of those too.