Traveling with kids is never easy, especially when you’re a sleep consultant who swears by routines and consistency. As much as I love helping other families find balance between sleep and play, I have to admit—I’m a creature of habit. So, when we decided to take a 10-day family trip that included a soccer tournament, Disneyland and Palm Springs, the thought of deviating from our carefully crafted routines left me feeling a little anxious.
But you know what? I did it. I let go a little. And, to my surprise, it wasn’t as tough as I thought. The key? Balancing my need for routine with the flexibility of travel demands, while still prioritizing my kids’ sleep.
Here’s how I managed to keep the fun alive while ensuring they still got the rest they needed (and how you can, too).
1. Plan Sleep Around the Trip’s Flow, Not Against It
While I usually swear by strict bedtime routines, I knew that a rigid schedule wouldn’t work on the road. Instead of obsessing over the exact time they fell asleep each night, I focused on ensuring they had the opportunity for rest.
The idea was to keep their sleep as close to our normal routine as possible, without stressing over it. Were there some late nights…yes…but I made sure to try and make up for those when we could. I will add though…as I always tell my families that I work with… no matter when your child falls asleep, they still wake up at the same time each day!😂
2. Stick to the Basics: Consistency in Key Areas
Even though our location and schedule changed 3 times, some things stayed the same. This gave my kids the comfort of familiarity. For example, we maintained our usual pre-bedtime rituals like reading books and having a shower. I brought familiar items from home, like pillowcases, sound machines and favorite pjs and stuffed animals. These simple, familiar activities and items created a calming environment even in new places.
3. Strategic Use of Travel Time
Traveling between destinations can be chaotic. Rather than fighting against the inevitable disruption of travel days, I used this to my advantage. I made sure the kids had quiet activities and snacks to stay settled. This kept their energy levels balanced and helped them sleep better during the night.
4. Embrace Flexibility (Within Reason!)
The hardest part for me was letting go of my need for control. I’m a big believer in routines, and while I did everything I could to preserve them, I also had to allow some flexibility. The hotel might not be as dark as I wanted, or the room at a home as cool as I had hoped, or the bedtime might need to be adjusted for a family dinner or a fireworks show. In the past, I’d have stressed, but I learned that a little flexibility didn’t mean all rules were out the window—it just meant I had to be adaptable.
5. Create Sleep-Friendly Spaces
Even when staying in hotels or unfamiliar environments, I always took steps to create a sleep-friendly space for my kids. Again, whether it was setting up blackout curtains, packing a favorite blanket, or playing white noise to block out unfamiliar sounds, these little changes made a big difference.
I remind all parents that kids need comfort and familiarity to rest well—even when everything else is in flux.
6. Managing the ‘Fun’ Factor
I didn’t want the trip to be all about rest—vacations are about making memories and enjoying new experiences. We had plenty of fun exploring, playing, and trying new things, but I made sure to prioritize wind-down time every day. But I really let my kiddos embrace the experience, and made sure to follow our routine at the ends of the days and in the mornings.
7. Lead by Example: Don’t Forget Your Own Rest
I also knew that the best way to ensure my kids got rest was for me to rest as well. As a mom and a sleep consultant, I know that my energy influences theirs. While I still had to be flexible, I made sure to sleep too—so I could be at my best when they needed me. It’s easy to sacrifice your own sleep on a trip, but I learned that my well-being was just as important to the success of the trip as their rest was.
Travel Tips for Other Sleep-Obsessed Parents
- Stick to your routines when possible, but allow for changes. It’s about balance.
- Use travel time wisely for naps or quiet time.
- Keep familiar sleep cues, like a special blanket or bedtime story.
- Find quiet time in between activities to recharge.
- Plan for some flexibility—expect the unexpected, but keep core routines intact.
- Prioritize your own rest—you’re the anchor for your kids’ well-being.
- Read my blog post about travel!
The Takeaway
As a sleep consultant, I always tell my families that travel with kids doesn’t have to mean sacrificing sleep. It just means you need to find that delicate balance between having fun and respecting your child’s sleep needs. I won’t lie—it was tough for me to let go of my routines, but looking back, I’m proud of how I was able to relax a bit and still ensure that my kids had the rest they needed. We had a blast on our trip, and they came home rested (well mostly 😂) and happy (definitely!).
At the end of the day, being a sleep consultant doesn’t mean that my family’s sleep is always going to be perfect—it means being adaptable and knowing what matters most. And sometimes, that means finding joy in letting go just a little bit. I am so glad that I did.
If you are looking for more sleep guidance or have a trip coming up that you need your kiddos sleep on track for, book a free 15 minute chat with me !