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Anyone have any idea why it takes so much work to go on vacation with kids.....ugg! We are going to the beach this weekend and I have so much to pack I think I am going to have to rent a trailer to drag behind my car! Any ideas on what I should do for my LO to sleep on at the condo? I have a pack and play but it is so big I really dont want to take it. He is still in his crib at home but do you think there would be much harm in letting him sleep on the sleeper sofa? I would just be scared if he fell off. What does everyone else do in these situations?

That's a tough call. How old is your LO again?

For both my girls, up until about age 2, the pack n play was really a lifesaver on trips. We were able to put them down at bedtime and they went right to sleep b/c the envirnonment felt "normal".

However, that said, in the instances when we just couldn't bring it, we would just put the baby in bed with us. Worked fine, EXCEPT that it was really hard to put her to sleep before we were ready to go to sleep.

For that reason alone, it was always worth it to find room for the pack n play.

Some other tips though ... how long are you going for? If it's a long trip - like a week -save some room by only packing enough diapers/snacks etc to get there. Then stop at a store in town to pick up the rest. Will you have access to laundry? If so, you can cut the amount of clothing you'll pack in half.

Have fun!!

We always use a pack n play. I'm too paranoid not to. I'd be afraid he wouldn't be contained in anything else. But that's just me.
We also do like moozle said, pack enough diapers for the road and buy dipes and wipes at our destination.
Good luck! And I know what you are going through. I just got back from a week in TN and was going nutty packing for myself and Jack for an entire week.
My DH only had to pack for himself and he was like, "I don't know why packing stresses you out."
Between the clothes and the medicines and the sleeping gear and the toys and the snacks and the dipes and the.....aaaack!
I should have him pack (supervised, of course. LOL) next time so he understands.

I guess I will take the pack and play, I just wish they were more compact. Like something you would see on the Jetsons, press a button on a 2"x2" box and the entire pack and play would pop out!

Yes - by all means take that bulky thing!! You'll need it!! But know this, before you know it you'll be packing everything you need plus two other kids into one "carry on" sized suitcase for an entire week and wonder why you took 4 large suitcases just for yourself when you were single!!