We will be going to a friend's house for 4 nights to warm weather. We will have 2 bedrooms (me and hubby in one and my 1 & 4 year old in another.) How have you handled different family rules when you travel with others such as my kids go to bed at 8, their's 10p (even though same ages), we watch minimal tv, they watch Icarly etc. I don't want to be uptight but I don't want my kids to get totally out of wack. Ideas??
The best idea is to stay at a Hotel! LOL! I remember doing this long ago, you really see how others live and its nothing like the way you do. I did a lot of compromising because it was a vacation. Kids will be just fine with what ever they do. Might be cranky going to bed later, so nappy time the next day will be in order! Have fun!
It's a vacation - let goooooooooooooooooo...............
I break the rules.....
It may or may not effect them, but if it does, it doesn't take long to put them back on track.
I'd stick with whatever is comfortable for you, you are the one who will deal with it afterwards. Even if it only takes a week to get "back into the routine", if work outside the home you might not be able to afford that week. There's no reason that you have to have your kids up til 10 (for a 1 yr old? seriously) - you can just have them go to bed when you say. Obviously flexibility is good and sometimes you need to do things differently but this doesn't sound like one of those cases since the kids will have their own room off to bed they go!
As for the TV, I also say just do other activities if the other kids are watching tv, go outside, play a game - soon enough the other kids will want to do what yours are doing!
Enjoy your trip!
If you're going to THEIR house, you have to respect their ways.... (To a certain extent!) You can still put your kids to bed at normal time. If the TV is on and a show that you don't want your kids to watch is playing, take your kids and leave the room. Play a game somewhere else or go for a walk!
IF you are traveling TOGETHER somewhere, then sit down and have a talk and agree on things ahead of time. (There will have to be some give and take then.)
It's their house. But don't be afraid to take the kids outside to enjoy the weather (and say you are getting out of their hair for a bit) - I would think that is the point of being there anyway. If you will have a car available, then explore the area. Ask them for suggestions.
But also just relax - vacation is a change of pace anyway. If the TV show is inappropriate, then just say that you don't think your kids will "get" it and suggest another activity. After all, they can watch TV anytime and maybe a game or a walk would be fun.
Keep your kids to a bedtime that keeps them from being cranky or overtired, and allow for trouble sleeping in a new environment, but otherwise don't feel necessarily tied to 8 PM. Once you get home, your rules go into effect again.
If these are really good friends (which I assume they are if you are spending time in their home), then why not discuss your concerns beforehand?
You aren't going to be gone long enough to get them out of whack. It will be a great experience for your kids to see how others live.
I agree with the other posts: if you're going to stay at their house, you need to be flexible with their rules. And be gracious about it, too.
Most importantly, ENJOY your vacation! I wish I were somewhere warm!!
I would just them know you have your kids on a schedule which is what im guessing. I think 1 and 4 yr olds still nap and need to go to bed early. My 2 yr old is on a strict schedule and i dont like to get off it even if we are traveling. I stick to nap and bed times within half an hour. I would assume their kids are older if they stay up till 10p. It should be pretty easy since they have their own room. Good luck and have fun!
Be a bit flexible but keep in mind that just because their children may be up doesn't mean yours has to be. Also, if what they are watching is not age appropriate, what says you can't go into another room and do something with your children?
if its a vacation and its only 4 days then really your not going to be out of whack. at 1 and 4 your kids are going to do what you tell them / make them do lol. so when its bed time off to bed at 8. and if the other kids have the tv on all day long take yours and go outside and enjoy the warm weather that most of us are not having right now lol. good luck have fun.
I wouldn't have accepted the invite and would have stayed in a hotel.
But since you are going have a great time and when in Rome do as the Romans.
