A Completely Reasonable Number of Blankets

When we travel as a family, we bring an entire suitcase full of blankets.

Yes. A whole suitcase.

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Now let me explain the blanket saga.

My kids have anxiety and hotel rooms are scary places.

So I try to make it better for them to relax.

One of the first things I do when we arrive is make their beds.

You would think that would be easy… give them a blanket and call it a day.

But no.

Let me tell you about my process.

First, I tuck the comforter up near the pillows.
Then I place one blanket — the red one with the candy canes — across the top of the bed.
Next, another blanket goes at the foot of the bed.

The kids will sleep on top of those blankets.

But it will still be too cold.

So then I cover them with their personal blanket… and then two more blankets.

Which means that for my kids to sleep comfortably in a hotel room, I need to bring at least ten blankets.

And I bring pillowcases too.

The reasons?

Anxiety.

No, they are not spoiled.
No, they are not picky.

Their brains just need extra comfort, extra softness, and occasionally an unreasonable number of blankets to survive travel.

Honestly? I understand.

Allergies.

Both of them are allergic to the soap that hotels use to wash their linens.

Towels bother them too. I’ve thought about bringing our own towels, but even I think that might be a little too much.

So we compromise.

We bring allergy medicine.
We bring itch cream.
And we bring a ridiculous number of blankets.

I also leave notes for housekeeping:

Please don’t touch the beds.

On every Disney Cruise we’ve taken, the housekeeping staff have been wonderful about this. They leave everything exactly as it is.

Thank goodness.

Because I really don’t want to go through the blanket process more than once per trip.

So yes…

Clearly, I have some thoughts about blankets.