Our house sustained some pretty major water damage a few weeks back. We are getting the boot while the contractor fixes the ceiling, floor, wall, repaints, etc. So we will have hubby and I plus two kids and two large dogs in an extended-stay hotel for at least two weeks. We all have school and work, so we can't treat this like a vacation, we need to keep everyone on schedule as much as possible. I am a little freaked out about such a big disruption right as my older son is starting K, plus our ten year old doggies have never slept anywhere but home! It's not that I am upset about living in a smaller space, I can handle that just fine, it's just going to be so crazy trying to keep everyone sane, entertained, and on schedule with this disruption!
Has anyone else done this and do you have any tips for keeping sane?? Thanks!!
I'm sure you've already tried to make a list of things to bring with you. You might need to "rotate" things like bedtime books and stuffed animals - I know going back and forth between house and hotel can be a pain, but, that might make your life easier than packing up tons of stuff and having to fit it into the hotel room.
We did a renovation yrs ago and all of us had to stay in one room of the house (and 1 bathrm). The rest of the house was off limits (boarded up) for 8 plus weeks. It was insane. I stayed calm and told the kids that it was just temporary. If I kept calm...they kept calm. My husband was extremely calm. It was his idea to do all of this in the first place.
In fact, I told them that this is how their Grandma lived for a few years (Which she did). Grandma had 5 kids and had to live in a small space for a few yrs until they could afford an apartment. So, my kids reported back to Grandma...and told her all about our one room house...like she once lived in.
As far as the dogs go (I love, love, love my dogs)...I gave them a nightgown that I had slept on the night before. I learned this trick from a dog loving friend. And, I made sure I had a few non-choking bones they could munch on. We had leashes and walked the dogs as much as possible, too.
Make a paper chain w/ tape. Put at least 14 links on it.( Keep a bedtime routine, too). Have your son take a link of each night so he will have a visual as to when you will be going back home.
One of my best friends had 4 kids in school when her home burned down. She lived in a small hotel room with double beds and a tiny kitchenette.
She said it was the happiest she'd ever lived in her life with her kids. They stayed busy and when they came home they spent time together. Hardly any fighting, no stress over bills because the hotel included everything except food and she got maid service...lol.
So I know it's doable with more than the group you have. Just be patient and let everyone slack up a bit. Enjoy the time and it can be like a vacation. Just do homework then to swimming or to the game room if they have one. Kids can let off some steam that way.
We did this more than once when I was a kid. Keep the same schedule for meal and bedtime. Just operate as if you were at home.
It's only for a short time.
Be positive. It will be fine.
Pick an extended stay hotel. Explain your situation. They are used to this and will work with you. I had a boyfriend who lived in a hotel for 6 months. He negotiated a lower price in exchange for maid service only twice a week and no toiletries.
Ask to be placed on the ground floor so that your kids and pets are less of a noise issue for other guests.
If it is in the budget, get a suite or adjoining rooms to let everyone have a little elbow room and breathing space. Keep to your regular routine for meals, homework, and bedtime. Take advantage of the hotel pool or other amenities and make trips to the local park/playground.
You go to work, kids go to,school. When they get "home" do homework, dinner, whether it be in our out. Bed. It's only two weeks. Think of the people that have lost their homes, due to fires, hurricanes. They have to live in a hotel, without any of their belongings, for a long long time, while trying to navigate insurance and rebuilding their lives.
