Well in the planning stages I started saying that planning a trip with/for 5 kids was like planning a convention. As much as we enjoyed Pittsburgh it was hard to plan. Few hotels on the side Brian's work was on so we had to debate considerably about location and hotel suitability. Since for 7 people you need a minimum of a suite (in other words 2 beds and a sofabed). Usually we stay at a Homewood Suites but Pittsburgh seems to be lacking them. We ended up staying 40 minutes from his work so he had to rent a car, no way the kids could do 4 hours a day in the car. Then of course you hate to give bigger families any stigma so want the kids to not disturb anyone but here they are cooped up in a room. We all know kids need exercise and fresh air.
Before the trip I already believed that with 5 kids the probability of someone being upset or, at the very least, loud in the car is a minimum of 5 times higher. So I was quite happy for the decent trip there. The kids were really good at the hotel. But I definitely believe that traveling with babies or toddlers has stages. The first 1-2 nights you have traveling excitement and adrenaline to carry you through the sleeplessness of them getting used to sleeping elsewhere. The next 1 or 2 are hard though, thats gone and they aren't quite adapted, plus the previous nights are catching up with you. After that they do better but you still need to catch up. By the time you are ready to go home they are sleeping well and you aren't as exhausted.
I think the suite would have worked great for an average family of 7. But I wish I hadn't given in to Brian nor paid attention to the hotels limit of 5 in a King Suite. We had 2 double beds and a sofa bed. Anna, Joey and I in 1 double, Brian and Sarah in 1, Emma and Becca on the sofabed. 2 babies and I is a tight squeeze in a double, especially with pillows to prevent roll off. At home we have 3 kids and us in a queen bed with 2 side cars so I thought a king, with or without the cosleeper would have been perfect. Of course Emma and Becca, being such loving siblings had their own issues of someone rolling over, somone touching me, someones feet too far over, etc etc. I think we need a cot for one of them, pretty pitiful. 2 or 3 nights Becca insisted on being with us so slept on the sofa cushions on the floor in our room. Emma liked that, a big bed to herself, well until Becca decided to start sleeping with her again.
Of course, when on a trip, no matter how many times you swear they will go to bed on time, the hecticness knocks you off at some point. I didn't pay for it the 1st day I let them, the 2nd getting them into bed was hard but the next day was fine. That 3rd though, we paid for it. I know it could have been worse. But Becca losing it in the car was not my cup of tea. She didn't hurt anyone really, well I haven't had our hearing tested to be sure but we all appear to still be hearing. But Brian started melting down too (you see why I can call him a 6th child sometimes). I would love to say lesson learned, but I've been there done that, learned the lesson and still done it again.
I do get over a month off before we have to travel again. Am I crazy to be looking forward to the 3 trips in June?
Before the trip I already believed that with 5 kids the probability of someone being upset or, at the very least, loud in the car is a minimum of 5 times higher. So I was quite happy for the decent trip there. The kids were really good at the hotel. But I definitely believe that traveling with babies or toddlers has stages. The first 1-2 nights you have traveling excitement and adrenaline to carry you through the sleeplessness of them getting used to sleeping elsewhere. The next 1 or 2 are hard though, thats gone and they aren't quite adapted, plus the previous nights are catching up with you. After that they do better but you still need to catch up. By the time you are ready to go home they are sleeping well and you aren't as exhausted.
I think the suite would have worked great for an average family of 7. But I wish I hadn't given in to Brian nor paid attention to the hotels limit of 5 in a King Suite. We had 2 double beds and a sofa bed. Anna, Joey and I in 1 double, Brian and Sarah in 1, Emma and Becca on the sofabed. 2 babies and I is a tight squeeze in a double, especially with pillows to prevent roll off. At home we have 3 kids and us in a queen bed with 2 side cars so I thought a king, with or without the cosleeper would have been perfect. Of course Emma and Becca, being such loving siblings had their own issues of someone rolling over, somone touching me, someones feet too far over, etc etc. I think we need a cot for one of them, pretty pitiful. 2 or 3 nights Becca insisted on being with us so slept on the sofa cushions on the floor in our room. Emma liked that, a big bed to herself, well until Becca decided to start sleeping with her again.
Of course, when on a trip, no matter how many times you swear they will go to bed on time, the hecticness knocks you off at some point. I didn't pay for it the 1st day I let them, the 2nd getting them into bed was hard but the next day was fine. That 3rd though, we paid for it. I know it could have been worse. But Becca losing it in the car was not my cup of tea. She didn't hurt anyone really, well I haven't had our hearing tested to be sure but we all appear to still be hearing. But Brian started melting down too (you see why I can call him a 6th child sometimes). I would love to say lesson learned, but I've been there done that, learned the lesson and still done it again.
I do get over a month off before we have to travel again. Am I crazy to be looking forward to the 3 trips in June?
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