For many families, the end of the school years means looser schedules, later bedtimes, summer camp and lots of travel. Camping, RV trips, day camps with early start times, sleepaway camp, domestic and international flights, trips to the family cottage, friends’ rustic cabins or family visits. It’s all very exciting and it completely wreaks havoc on everybody’s sleep routine, even when there’s no jet lag or different time zones involved.
Going to Bed When The Sun Is Still Up
I grew up in Ontario, Canada. In June, the sun sets around 9 p.m. but it’s not completely dark until 10 p.m. And the further north you go, the more daylight you get. In Camrose, Alberta the sun sets at 10 p.m. In Anchorage, Alaska it doesn’t set until 11:45 p.m.! It’s wonderful for summer concerts and festivals but a real bummer if you’re trying to get your kids to go to bed at a decent time.
I distinctly remember being sent to bed before sundown when I was a little girl. Between the light spilling through the curtains, the street noise, and extreme FOMO, it took me ages to fall asleep and being confined to my not-so-dark bedroom while the whole world was still out and about felt like an incredible injustice. I’ve since had a little girl of my own, and anyone who’s ever tried to put an overtired kid to bed when the sun is still up will tell you it’s like trying to put a dress on a cat. Luckily, there are a slew of great products now, such as black out curtains and white noise machines to help with that particular issue. Here is my Summer Sleep Checklist for going to sleep when the sun is till up.
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Black Out Curtains – to keep the sun, the street lamps and any other light out. These are still my favorites small children. They block daylight, while still letting in star-shaped rays for a dreamy touch.
Light Pajamas – Water-absorbing and breathable jammies for those stiflingly hot nights
Night Light – Once you have those black out curtains drawn it will be DARK! So a small, warm light source is perfect to keep the boogeyman away
Small Pillow – Great for cuddling at night.
Monster Masher Pillow Spray – to keep monsters at bay
Summer Cooling Comforter – In some parts of the world, air conditioning is synonymous with summer. So a light comforter is de rigueur. Plus, if you’re used to sleeping with heavy blankets in the winter time, it can be unsettling to suddenly sleep without the comforting weight of a blanket.
Reusable water bottle – No more trips to the kitchen for “just one more glass of water, please.”
Weighted plushie – to keep you company or lie on you for extra love and comfort
Family Photo – to remind you that we love you!
Mosquito net – to stop those hungry mozzies from feasting on you because somehow, they always seem to get in! Even if you live on the sixth floor of an air-conditioned apartment in the middle of the city. There are really cool ones for young princesses and explorers-in-training.
Sleeping At Grandma’s House
Ah, grandma’s house. For some lucky kids, it’s the place they go during school breaks, every weekend, or even every day. It smells like chocolate chip cookies, coffee and love. But for many others, who aren’t so lucky, whether it’s because they live in different cities or different countries, staying at Grandma’s is akin to staying at a stranger’s house. The bathroom smells weird, you have to tiptoe around, there’s a cuckoo clock that chimes every hour, there are creepy black and white photos of the grim-faced people we call “our ancestors” in the guest room and it’s pitch black at night. In comes my Sleeping at Grandma’s Checklist. At the top of that list – amber-colored plug-in nightlights so monsters can’t hide in dark corners and so you don’t stub a toe trying to get from the guest bedroom to the bathroom in the middle of the night. The trick is to recreate your bedroom oasis and turn your temporary digs into a home away from home. And, of course, a portable noise machine, and/or ear plugs are a must. You can even pack a portable black-out curtain in case the room you’re assigned is especially bright.
Side note: It’s not always easy to find common ground for your older relatives and young children. So to bridge the gap, I try to pack a few portable activities I think they’ll enjoy together. A small cook book, playing cards, a Cribbage Board – “Crib” was one of my dad’s favorite games – a ball of pretty wool (if Grandma knits) or macramé string… you get the picture. The trick is not to make a mess so slime and permanent markers are definitely out.
Download my complete Sleeping at Grandma’s Checklist.
Sleepaway Camp
For some kids, sleepaway camp is a rite of passage. Every summer they go spend a week or two (three if you’re lucky!) in the woods somewhere with a bunch of other kids. In some families, the summer camp experience is as ubiquitous as Sunday night dinner. Your parents went to Camp Crystal Lake when they were kids, you did too, and so will your kids. I personally didn’t get to experience that special brand of childhood torture, er.. I mean leisure, until I spent a couple of summers at sleepaway camp as a teen-aged camp counselor.
Here’s my sleep-through the other kids’ snores, find your way to the outdoor potty and secretly pack your sleep toy Sleepaway Camp Checklist.
Light, fitted pajamas – Light for those stiflingly hot nights and fitted because you don’t want to trip on the mile-long walk to the outdoor bathroom.
Warm pajamas/onesie – They’re easy to throw on, comfy, warm and perfect for hanging out by the camp fire.
Slippers (optional) – To keep your feet warm during quiet time. My feet are always cold, even on a hot summer day, and so I’m a big fan of UGGs but they can be pretty expensive for footwear your child will outgrow in a few months. These are also really cute, the soles are waterproof and they cost a fraction of the price.
Flip flops – For the shower and middle of the night trips to the loo. Or you can opt for Classic Crocs if you prefer sandals that cover your toes and that you can walk through the wet grass in when you walk the dog.
Battery-powered night light – No electricity, no problem.
Small Pillow – Great for the trip to camp and for cuddling at night. And they don’t take nearly as much space as regular pillows.
Sleep Spray or Fairy Dust – to make any weird smells or creepy monsters disappear.
Small travel blanket – for extra warmth or to roll up as a pillow
A Summer Sleeping Bag – You can’t go wrong with a lightweight sleeping bag. Put it in the dryer on low heat with one your favorite dryer sheet so it smells like home.
Eye Mask – to block out your neighbor’s reading lamp
Ear Plugs – so you can’t hear the mouth breather who’s snoring like a locomotive in the bunk next to yours
Deet-free Insect Repellant – to keep hungry mosquitos away
Portable mosquito net – to stop those hungry mozzies who aren’t deterred by insect repellant from feasting on you
Weighted plushie – to keep you company or lie on you for extra love and comfort
Family Photo – to remind you that we love you!
Headlamp, flashlight – for middle-of-the-night trips to the loo
Rechargeable Reading Lamp – to write in your diary under the covers
Click on Sleepaway Camp Checklist to download the checklist and see what else is on my list.
Cottage Getaway Checklist
The crickets are singing, there’s a gentle rustling in the trees, oft rain on the roof and – a mosquito buzzing in your ears. Arg! You spent a good 15 minutes trying to kill it, couldn’t find it – thought, hey maybe it left – and now it’s the only thing you can hear. You pull the sheet over your head and try to ignore it but deep down you know, you’re going to wake up covered in mosquito bites. Or, if you’re me, you know the mozzies will leave you alone and munch on your sweet 10-year-old instead. The only thing worse than being covered in mosquito bites is when your kid is. There will be endless scratching, complaining, and tending to bug bites the size of quarters. Unless, of course, you pack a few extra things, like a portable mosquito net to turn your sleeping in the woods experience into a quasi glamping one.
The cottage Sleep List is a lot like the Sleepaway Camp one with a few major differences. If the cottage you’ll be staying at has electricity and running water, terrific! If not, no worries. Just make sure to pack a rechargeable, battery powered night light, battery-powered reading lamp and flashlight and invest in a portable solar panel. You’ll be able to charge your phone 8 to 10 times and your tablet 3 to 4 times. Each charge can be used for approximately 9 days. Sleepaway Camp may not allow devices, but they’re usually welcome at the family cabin.
Download my Cottage Getaway Checklist
Travel Check List for Your Fur Baby (ies)
Yes, in my household, our pet has their own Travel Checklist. From making sure you have proof of their up to date vaccinations for overseas flights, to packing their sleep toy and favorite blanket, travelling with your pet (s) can mean that one of you will have to share suitcase space with your furry friend. Guess who gets that special honor in my household? Or, that when you take a road trip, Quincy will get their very own travel bag added to the mix.
Download my Travel Checklist for Your Fur Baby
When to Start Packing
Lastly, it’s best to start packing a few days ahead of your scheduled trip. It’ll give you a chance to double-check everything and allow for last minute add-ons. If your kids are old enough to read, print out their Travel List and put them in charge of gathering all the necessary items. Label everything (especially if they’re off to summer camp) and put them in charge of packing their favorite plushie and pajamas. (Make sure you check everything after. Some kids lose interest pretty quickly and end up leaving crucial items like underwear or running shoes behind.)
If you’re planning on putting your cat or dog in a crate or pet travel bag, leave the pet-carrier out with the ‘door’ or flaps open and put a treat or two inside every day for about a week before you leave. The idea is to get them used to going in and out of it and to have a pleasant association with it.
Have any other travel sleep tips and tricks to share? Or a special item you like to bring that makes all the difference in your family’s summer travel sleep routine? Drop me a line. I’d love to hear from you.
Have a great summer!