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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not go away the bank holiday because of toddler sleeping

69 replies

xxxJess123xxx · 24/08/2020 23:46

hi all,
Meant to be going away the weekend. Didn't cost us anything as family caravan.
Toddler is 19 months. DD is 4. Both sleep no bother at home, put in bed, walk out, no wake ups etc.
We tried camping the other night on family land with few other family members. Failed tremendously and toddler screamed for an hour and a half with no luck getting him to sleep.
Packed up and went home (a 10 min drive)
Now I'm thinking I cant be arsed with going away if he isn't going to sleep as its not enjoyable and I'd rather put them to bed at home and have time to ourselves indoors of an evening.
Partner wants to go away but also said that toddler would sleep at camping and I knew he wouldn't.
He has never stayed away from home.
AIBU to not go away

OP posts:
MrsOldma · 24/08/2020 23:49

Making a rod for your own back there I think OP. If toddler screams long enough he gets to go home?

bookmum08 · 24/08/2020 23:50

Was your first go in a tent? Tent is different to a caravan. A caravan is more cosy and comfy.

AlwaysLatte · 24/08/2020 23:52

Maybe he was overtired? I'd keep trying and a caravan is much more comfortable than a tent anyway.

Yeahnahmum · 24/08/2020 23:55

So you tried once and now youve given up?
Indeed making a rod for your own back here op.
Also a caravan is a bit different to a tent. And circumstances could have been different last time.
The fact that you gave up last time isnt a great thing op. You have to keep trying :)

Woeismethischristmas · 24/08/2020 23:56

My eldest was a nightmare to get to sleep. Honestly my own sleep was to precious to risk weekenders when he was a toddler. Now he will sleep anywhere. Less making a rod and more of a this too shall pass

RaisinGhost · 25/08/2020 00:00

I agree with you OP. A weekend away is meant to be enjoyable, if it's not, no point going. Why not have a mini staycation - go out during the day to a nice spot nearby, then after kids are asleep enjoy some nice food, wine and watch a movie.

BoingBoingyBoing · 25/08/2020 00:03

You know your child better than anyone. If you are going to have a shit time then what's the point?

I 'kept trying' at having meals out at restaurants with first born which always without fail ended up with the OH and I eating our food in shifts whilst the other took the kid outside because he lost his shit every single time. Eventually we learnt to get takeway.

Pinkchocolate · 25/08/2020 00:04

Camping and caravans are very different so I’d go.

Aquamarine1029 · 25/08/2020 00:08

Stay home with toddler (I wouldn't), and send your husband with the 4 year old.

MrsOldma · 25/08/2020 00:12

@BoingBoingyBoing I don’t think it counts as keeping trying if you give up on the first go. Does your dc now eat nicely at the table in a restaurant? If so how did they learn? Hmm

MrsOldma · 25/08/2020 00:14

@xxxJess123xxx incidentally do YOU like camping/caravaning? Just wondered if you’re so unwilling to try because you hate it

Original poster
xxxJess123xxx · 25/08/2020 00:23

Mixed replies, thanks to you all though.
I just feel we have such a good thing at home and I know the 3 nights we go he is going to be a mare with screaming and not going to sleep it won't be much fun for anyone.
Its the first time he has slept away from home in anywhere other than his own bed.
He is also huge so the travel cot we have seems small for him too.
I just cant be bothered with the hassle

OP posts:
user1468538201 · 25/08/2020 04:29

I think you don't want to go and are making excuses.

turnitonagain · 25/08/2020 04:32

They won’t be little forever. Skip it this year and try again later.

I look back on some trips we took when DCs were babies/toddlers and they were hell, now that they’re older would be a piece of piss. Wish I’d saved my money now.

nasiisthebest · 25/08/2020 04:49

If your partner wants to go away why don't you let him put the toddler to bed while you take a looooong walk. That way it's his problem.

AmyandPhilipfan · 25/08/2020 05:07

Would he not go to sleep cuddled up with you in bed? We’ve been on a caravan holiday four times in my 3 year old’s life and each time she and I have shared the double bed and my husband has gone on the sofa. I cuddle/nurse her to sleep then get back up again for a few hours.

Mummyoflittledragon · 25/08/2020 05:15

No I wouldn’t miss out over sleep. I’d sleep in the double with your ds and have your dh and dd in the other room.

ChikiTIKI · 25/08/2020 05:59

The first night in a new place always takes a while to settle them, especially if they're not used to sleeping in new places. It's usually fine after that though. I think you should go 🙂

Magicbabywaves · 25/08/2020 06:00

I’d probably skip it if I was certain sleep was an issue. Can you try one night?

Wheneverwhereve · 25/08/2020 06:03

They need to get used to sleeping in different places so I’d go for it. It was possibly the tent that upset him... I’m an adult and I would cry if I had to go camping Grin

caravan though is totally different and much more cosy!

FreiasBathtub · 25/08/2020 06:09

How far away is the caravan? Could you go home if it does all go to shit? I would say if you'd otherwise like to go then give it a try, and if he's awful you can always leave. I have two and both of them were completely unpredictable about how well they slept away from home. We have definitely cancelled informal plans due to periods of bad sleep, we've also pushed through when it's otherwise been a v nice holiday.

Marmosetmarmalade · 25/08/2020 06:44

I can see where you are coming from, but if my children slept every other night very well (you say you can put them down and walk out and that’s it) then I would just go for it and go in the caravan for a few nights. If you were completely sleep deprived and this just made it worse I definitely wouldn’t bother but if you know it’s only going to be a few nights broken sleep I think it’s definitely do-able. Perhaps after the first night it would be fine? Have a nice time if you go.

PurpleFlower1983 · 25/08/2020 06:44

Let your DP take the 4 year old and you stay at home with the toddler.

PurpleFlower1983 · 25/08/2020 06:45

I would go but it seems you really don’t want to.

FippertyGibbett · 25/08/2020 06:46

Personally I wouldn’t bother.
If it rains on a caravan it sounds like hail so you definitely won’t get any sleep !