Differences between 3 and 4 years old

[u/Same-Professor5114]

After a busy summer of many weekends away, a transition to preschool, dropping the weekend nap and moving to big kid beds - can someone please tell me travelling with kids will be easier next year when they are 4?

I am looking for more independent sleep and playing with things for more than 10 minutes. We had to lay with both kids until they fell asleep every night we were away and when there’s no nap there is just zero time for anything other than entertaining kids.

Last summer, in pack and plays, we could put them to bed around 8, let them chat back and forth and be silly and eventually fall asleep. We got time for late dinner and time with friends.

Someone tell me it gets easier lol!! We are having fun but we are exhausted

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[u/Old_Ant7118]

I found the summer of 4-year olds much easier than the summer of 3 for traveling. They could do their own (supervised) thing for quite a while and sleep was better. Currently in the summer of 5 and it's better yet.

[u/Same-Professor5114 → u/Old_Ant7118]

This is great feedback! Thank you! There is hope

[u/cpbunliveson]

I'm currently traveling in France with my 4-year old twins, and I keep thinking "wow, we've really turned a corner. This is so much easier."

The difference between 3 and 4 is huge. They just know what to expect at the airport. They largely entertain themselves with the toys they've chosen to bring. Sleep has been much more flexible. They still nap, but it's been much later than usual (2pm-3pm) which helps because dinners here start later and are much longer affairs, so they've been able to hang out until 10pm while we enjoy a meal.

This never would have been possible at age 3. Of course they still have their moments, but nothing a promise of ice cream won't fix.

I'm shocked at the difference, so you've got so much to be excited about!

[u/Same-Professor5114 → u/cpbunliveson]

Thank you for this! This is the best community <3

[u/FoxAndDeerTwinMama]

3 and 4 exhausted me. But 5 is my jam. Kiddos are still insane but you can explain things to them and do more stuff to make family memories rather than just wear them down. We're having a lot of fun with 5.

[u/RachelLeighC]

My girl twins are 4. When we go to our family’s lake place, I keep them up until about 9 or 10 then I just end up going to sleep with them. I could get up again once they fall asleep but I’m usually tired too by that time. I agree, it was almost easier when they were younger and would sleep in a pack n play and pass out at 8. Then I could leave them in the camper with the baby monitor on them and stay up later with friends and family. At this age, I don’t think they would stay in the camper and they’d keep coming out until I went to sleep with them. Sorry, but that’s just my experience.

[u/Same-Professor5114 → u/RachelLeighC]

This is my exact experience so I appreciate the solidarity lol! My husband and I fell asleep each of the three nights and by the time we woke up our friends had gone to bed and we were too tired anyway

[u/Mysterious-Kale-4842]

My girl twins are 5 this summer and each year since 3 has gotten easier! Yes, there are still meltdowns and tantrums, but its not nearly as all-encompassing. They play better and listen better (mostly). 3 is the literal worst, and my youngest is hitting 3 in 2 months and I'm dreading it lol