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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Child sleeping arrangements - AIBU?

48 replies

Holidayquery · 23/04/2019 10:45

Help!

I have just booked a holiday for the four of us; me, DH and 2 DC. It’s a resort on a really tiny island with not much going on.

Because there are four of us, the website allocated us a “suite”, which is basically a 1 bedroom apartment with 2 extra beds in the lounge (probably sofa beds).

DC will be 1 and 4, so my original plan was to ask for a travel cot in our room for DS2 and for DS1 to have one of the beds in the lounge. However (and this is totally my fault, as I read it before booking but it didn’t sink in), I have now realised that it’s a split level apartment, so DS1 would be sleeping alone on the ground floor whilst we are all on the floor above.

I wouldn’t mind the other way around, but something about the apartment door and the sliding patio doors makes me nervous. I mentioned it to my friend this morning and she thinks I am being over cautious as it’s a secure resort on a tiny island, and we can just ensure that all the doors are locked before we go up at night.

AIBU to worry and to insist on changing the booking if the lounge is indeed on the floor below the bedroom (I am checking that, as I guess the apartment might be upside down so the lounge gets the view). Or am I being OTT?

OP posts:
Eminybob · 23/04/2019 10:47

You could put ds1 in the bedroom upstairs, and you, Dh and ds2 all sleep in the lounge?

Originallymeonly · 23/04/2019 10:48

If you're going to be stressed about it, then ask them. You can also take cushions upstairs to make a nest on the floor, but then you might worry about no stair gate.
It's your holiday, ask whatever you want. You're the customer.

FreudianSlipSlide · 23/04/2019 10:48

I’m not sure I’d be happy with that! I think I’d change, or else have you and the younger one upstairs and your DP downstairs with the 4yo?

coolestmum · 23/04/2019 10:48

Could you fit a little blow up ready bed in the bedroom too for your 4yo, so you are all in the same room?
Or put both the dc in the bedroom and you have the pull out beds in the lounge? that way you can put the dc to bed and you can stay up longer. Take a baby monitor if you're worried about not hearing them?

Booboostwo · 23/04/2019 10:52

I am struggling to see what the problem is. Are you worried that if DS is alone on the ground floor someone will break in and abduct him? That seems quite an irrational fear. If you are traveling to a really violent war zone where this may happen I assume that whoever is intent on kidnapping DS would not hesitate to clobber you over the head to do it, so I am not sure why he’d be safer with an adult.

Butterflyone1 · 23/04/2019 10:59

These split level apartments often have a mezzanine level so you can often overlook the lounge area. I wouldn't worry too much. So long as the doors can be securely locked then you should be fine.

Failing that contact the hotel and see if they can switch you to a more family friendly room, you may just have to pay extra.

TooDamnSarky · 23/04/2019 11:09

I'd try and fit both kids in the bedroom (eg using a readybed) so that you and DH can chill out in the living space in the evenings. I'd even rather sleep in the living room if there's no space for all 4 of you in the bedroom.

HappyDinosaur · 23/04/2019 11:13

I once slept on a Lilo for a while holiday when I was 7, at my own insistence! I wonder if you could buy a good quality one or a small blow up bed and all go in together? I agree I'd not want my dc downstairs in this scenario, especially in an unfamiliar place.

Disfordarkchocolate · 23/04/2019 11:14

I'd be sleeping in the living room too, then you can chill out on the evening too.

Bluestitch · 23/04/2019 11:16

One parent and child in the lounge, one in bedroom?

Cbatothinkofaname · 23/04/2019 11:20

I think changing your booking is going a bit far! Are you worried about not hearing him if he wakes? Presumably it’s a small apartment so you’ll be able to hear as well as if he were in another room on the same floor. And presumably blinds/ a curtain for the patio door? So if you’re worried about someone seeing him sleeping alone then just close the blinds.

Though from what others are saying it might be pleasanter all round to stick the kids in the bedroom and then you and dh have the lounge and patio to sit out in the evening

sweeneytoddsrazor · 23/04/2019 11:22

You can ask to change the booking if you don't feel comfortable but I guess they dont have to accommodate that request unless they have vacant rooms.

Aprillygirl · 23/04/2019 11:50

One of you sleep in the double bed with the baby and the other adult in the lounge with the 4yr old surely.

Original poster
Holidayquery · 23/04/2019 12:10

Thanks all.

The bedroom has two large double beds whilst the lounge just has two single narrow sofa beds, so it seems a shame to miss out on part of the luxury part of the holiday. But obviously DS being safe is far more important, even if I am being a bit OTT.

I think I will ask if they can do a camp bed or similar in the bedroom and if not, we can just take turns to sleep downstairs. I just have a feeling that DH will also think I am being U!

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 23/04/2019 12:14

If the bedroom has 2 large doubles, then both kids in one double, you and DH sleep in the other - and have sex on the singles in the lounge when the kids are asleep.Grin

WeTookVows · 23/04/2019 12:14

If there a 2 double beds in the bedroom can't you sleep a child and a parent in each bed? Then you can put the kids to bed earlier in the evening if you want to and chill out with DH downstairs before sneaking in with them later.

AryaStarkWolf · 23/04/2019 12:17

The bedroom has two large double beds

Why do any of you need to sleep downstairs then, I don't get it?

Cbatothinkofaname · 23/04/2019 12:19

I think taking it in turns to sleep downstairs isn’t going to be conducive to the best holiday, especially as your dh is likely to think you’re being OTT.

I don’t really get what you’re fearful of? As long as your ds is within earshot what’s the problem? If you have some irrational fear that someone is going to break into the apartment and kidnap your child then just close the blinds on the patio door, keep it locked (obviously) and no one will be any the wiser.

Though having read the thread it sounds like Everyone sleeping upstairs is quite feasible with two double beds, and that gives you and dh the lounge and patio for the evenings too. It would be a bit daft to put a child to bed in the Lounge and then avoid the patio all evening and hide away upstairs

sweeneytoddsrazor · 23/04/2019 12:20

Why do u need a camp bed with 2 double beds in the room.

SnowsInWater · 23/04/2019 12:20

I would want a cot for the 1yo tbh, my stressor would be the possibility of night time wandering in an apartment with stairs. Everyone sleeps upstairs, use downstairs to chill when kids go to bed then join them later.

SylvanianFrenemies · 23/04/2019 12:20

What NoSquirrels said.

Reaah · 23/04/2019 12:24

Double bed one - yourself and DH
Double bed two - DC1
Travel cot - DC2

You are all upstairs in the one room

lyralalala · 23/04/2019 12:25

I’d put the little one in the cot as planned, then you’d DS in one bed and you and DH in the other. That way you get the living room area to relax in in the evening.

I wouldn’t have my 4yo on the ground floor alone in case she managed to open the door in the night and go wandering rather than fear of abduction.

Clammyclam · 23/04/2019 12:25

2 double beds?
In that case i agree with PP's. You and DH in one, 4 YO in the other and ask for a travel cot for 1yo (I wouldn't put a 1yo in a bed it's a nightmare)

Bringbackthestripes · 23/04/2019 12:29

The bedroom has two large double beds

You and DH in one bed, LO in the other & cot. No, I wouldn’t have a 4 year old sleep alone downstairs. They (mine) would be scared.