Since she was born, we have only made a handful of trips to spend the night at G-Ma’s (my mom) with Avery. But, G-Ma has come to stay at our house numerous times and we are forever grateful for all of her help. We really appreciate her watching Avery when Going Mom and I have a couple’s night.

With each visit we’ve made to G-Ma’s house, my wife and I always have the same question to ponder; will she sleep? Granted, that’s a daily concern for any parent anywhere, even at home. But, the difficulty level seems to increase three infinity fold (it’s a thing) when we go to G-Ma’s to spend the night.

Last weekend we spent the night there and, as expected, Avery did not go down easily or quietly. I get it, sleeping in a different place with different surroundings is tough for anyone.  Plus, having to sleep in a small play yard instead of her crib with solid wood rails that she can kick like a kangaroo only exacerbates the issue. I mean, before I go to sleep, I have to kick something in bed really hard for a while first. My poor wife, huh?

Just as we thought, Avery fought sleep as my awesome, breastfeeding wife stood the front lines and ran the course of nursing her to sleep like she does every night. Lately, Avery will be out cold in her arms, but the moment she goes to lay her down, you’d think she set her on a tack.

Who needs a baby monitor when you can hear the shrill screams reverberate throughout the house and probably next door too? The crying gives Going Mom anxiety, but it doesn’t affect me too much. Must be a motherly bond thing; anyone else experience this?

After going back in to offer the comfort of boob, Kelley nursed Avery to sleep once more. And, upon lying her in the play yard, Avery shot right back up and started crying again. Maybe there is a tack in there? #fail

This time we let Avery run her course of a screaming fit for 30 grueling minutes until she finally succumbed to sleep. G-Ma somehow fell asleep during the long spell, but Kelley and I were wide awake, listening to our daughter’s excellent, ear-piercing vocals.

Despite the sleeping (or lack thereof), we had a great time with G-Ma and Avery even got a “new” smartphone from G-Ma. It was her old, non-working iPhone, but she was adamant about keeping it with her the whole time. Avery spent plenty of time walking around the house to point out things that needed baby-proofing and show off her new walking skills.

We were all impressed and scared at the same time since you can’t hear babies as well when they are on their feet vs crawling on their hands and knees. How do they get around so quickly and quietly?!

It’s hard to believe that Avery was just a frumpy baby hardly rolling around when we spent the night at G-Ma’s last March and put old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle puzzles together. Avery fought sleep that time too, even after I had a long conversation with her before we left home and she promised to be good.

As you can see, we had an action packed night!

The next month, April, we visited G-Ma again and were excited for Avery’s increase in activity from only a month ago. She was more attentive to her surroundings and could sit up much better. At this point, it was exciting because we could lay her on a blanket and watch her roll around. Sleep, as my might’ve guessed, was still an issue.

Ahhh, the times of having control of where our baby could go! Now, on our last trip, she had us moving from room to room and picking up debris along the way. What a destructive little girl!

Good thing G-Ma is very, VERY patient (she raised 2 boys after all) and didn’t mind Avery’s rearranging of the house. That, or this is just a forced smile…..nahhhh

We aren’t sure when the next time we’ll be spending the night at G-Ma’s is, but one thing’s certain, we’ll still fear nighttime!

Do you have trouble staying the night at your relatives’ house with your kid?

Any advice on how to make it easier; for the kids and parents?