Kids sleeping together in same room on holiday - am I mad?

[Fidgetsmum]

Currently, 3.5yr old and 7mth old have separate bedrooms at home. Trying to find a holiday in self catering villa and the cost of a 3 bedroom versus a 2 bedroom is making the difference between us being able to go, or not.

So. Am I completely bonkers to be thinking of putting the children in together? The baby sometimes shouts for about 10 minutes before going to sleep. My daughter sleeps like an absolute log though so I'm hoping that if we prepare her for it, she would soon drop off with the noise.

They both sleep 7 to 7 (unless baby is teething).

Could it work? Or would we end up with one of them in with us? (Please say NOooo! It'll be fiiiiine!)

[melbourne groover]

I think it will be fine! I put mine into the same room on holiday and they liked it so much they have stayed that way. Could you put the baby down a little earlier than the older one and read a story while the baby drops off then sneak the older one in?

I think as long as the older one is a good sleeper you shouldn't have too many issues.

Good luck!

[Pickle]

You will be fine. We have worried about the same thing in the past, but having had them share rooms a few times now we're about to move them into the same room at home.

[Fidgetsmum]

I could put the baby down earlier but the reason he's not in with us ideally is that he's not a heavy sleeper. He's likely to wake when we take the older one in anyway, hence thinking I'll just see if my daughter can put up with it (feel bad about that though - it's her holiday too!)

[Pickle]

I would put them both down at the same time, as you would usually at home. Would your 3.5 year old understand if you said to her she can lie in bed and quietly read a book, until her little brother has gone quiet? If it's just for 10 minutes she may be fine anyway, but if she struggles to settle with the noise that could be an option.

[Fidgetsmum]

Brilliant idea Pickle. She's often found upstairs with a book when playing so yes, I could definitely explain that to her and I think she'd be fine with it. Genius. I just had visions of her lying there trying to be quiet - forgot about books. Think I've got myself in more of a panic than I need to.

[Vickster]

We did this with our 3.5 year old and 5 month old baby and I was dreading it but it was absolutely fine. Bathed baby first and I bf her while toddler was in the bath. Put her down while he was having quiet stories and songs. They were both so knackered by holiday fun and being out in the sun and fresh air all day, they were both out like a light. Baby was still having a night feed, and this was no problem either as toddler just slept through it.

Good luck and have a lovely holiday.

[pebbles]

I was also dreading this with my 2 but we had to bite the bullet last xmas when they were 3 and 1. Chloe always goes to bed about 20 mins before Seb normally so we just did the same and Seb crept in. Even when C was still awake for some reason they didn't play up and just went to sleep. S wakes earlier than C so we bribed him with stickers to creep out so quietly in the morning that C didn't wake up and it worked :) Take a deep breath and do it :) We were forced to but I know I would be sitting here now if I wasn't made to!!

[Fidgetsmum]

Thanks everyone. Feeling much more positive about it now - good to hear it hasn't always ended up with one or other child in the bed with you!