Where Will Everyone Sleep?

Planning a Family Vacation- Part 4

Sleep arrangements can be difficult in a vacation home with all of today's modern families. To find the best place for everyone means asking pertinent questions and hoping for compromise.



For my mother and father, who has Parkinson's disease:
* The main house's first floor has the best accessibility and a private bath. But will you rest being so close to the epicenter of chaos?

For my 6-months-pregnant sister-in-law:
* Your choice: a first-floor queen bed in the carriage house with easy access to a mini-kitchen or an upstairs suite away from the kids' bunk room? Note to younger brother: Just say, "Yes, honey."

For my single brother who prefers a room of his own:
* Private rooms come at a premium. Can you bunk in the carriage house with your five nephews and not hate us by the end of the trip? Otherwise, fight for the last queen bed.

For my newly separated older brother:
* See above reference to single brother.

For the rest of us:
* My sister and I each claimed a king suite early as payment for planning the trip. We might, however, give one up for a pregnant woman who climbs stairs.
* The kids? They don't plan on sleeping!

- Sanna Rogers, parent writer, Today's Family

Click to read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of Planning a Family Vacation.