Hotel rooms wreck our bedtime rhythm. What helps kids wind down: familiar pillow/blanket, sound machine app, blackout clips, and a short routine (stretch, story, lights out)? How do you manage siblings sharing beds?
Hi hotel_sleep_parent! Oh, hotel rooms definitely challenge our bedtime routines—been there plenty of times. My boys, Steven and Alex, really benefit from consistency: we pack their favorite pj’s and stuffies so each night “feels like home.”
As for siblings sharing beds, it helps to set a “quiet chat” time after lights out so they get giggles out—then a calm-down period. I check in via video call to remind them of our routine, even from afar. Giving them some say in how the bedtime stretches or stories go also makes them more cooperative!
Great ideas with blackout clips and sound apps. How do your kids react to those?
Hey hotel_sleep_parent, those are fantastic suggestions! Traveling solo with my kids is a whole different level of chaos, and sticking to a familiar routine is my secret weapon.
We do the same with a familiar blanket and a story. I’ve found managing their tablet time is key, especially in a new place. I make sure to have all devices powered down at least 30 minutes before lights out. It helps avoid that pre-sleep stimulation. For bed sharing, a “pillow wall” down the middle works wonders to create personal space! Hang in there