Q- How Long does it take your children to get back into a routine?

[Disney_Sarah]

Hi all.

Basically we are looking at returning next year (aug) with our son who will be 3.
He will be due to start Nursery in the Sept.

We are trying to work out dates. One thing I am unsure about is how the jet lag may affect him and how long it may take him to get back into a routine. We don't know exactly when he will start Nursery I know each school differs and some have staggered starts etc.

At the moment the date I am playing around with means we will land on the Saturday morning and potentially start Nursery on the Monday. I have a friend who's daughter starts this sept and she said they have staggered stars etc but I can't guarantee this.

How long does it take for your children to get back into a routine and how old are they?

Many thanks....sorry for the essay xx

 

[2Tiggies]

Children cope better than we do. We've always landed the day before we go back to work and school and although dd would go to bed early the first week back she's fine. Probably fares better than I do tbh.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[scoobydooby]

It took my 12 year old three days this last trip. We've been back a week and I've been back to work but I'm an absolute wreck!!!! Is give him a few more days if it were me and possible for you.

 

[Elise79]

If DD is going back to school (or nursery previously) I allowed 24 hours at home so she could just have a bit of time to settle back.

She has always been fine with that and he have on occasion landed Sunday to return to school/work Monday and she did fine with that as well.

 

[wilma-bride]

I agree with Lee, kids definitely adjust better to the time difference than we do. I am always a wreck for at least a week (if not more) when we come back but DS seems to be fine after the first good night's sleep.

He always manages to sleep in on the first day there too, which I can never do.

 

[Wills Mom]

Our DS was 15 months coming back from our trip last year. He slept all the flight back home, woke up about 20 mins prior to landing, was awake in the airport and slept again in the car. He had a full day at home that day and slept 14 hours that nigh5, stayed home the next full day and another 14 hour sleep that night and he was back to normal the following day. All kids are different but they are very resilient and as the others have said they generally handle the time change much better than their parents lol.

 

[Kath2003]

I agree with Lee, kids definitely adjust better to the time difference than we do. I am always a wreck for at least a week (if not more) when we come back but DS seems to be fine after the first good night's sleep.

He always manages to sleep in on the first day there too, which I can never do.

Being able to sleep on the plane makes a difference too. I can fall asleep no problem on anything moving (to the point where I'm that embarrassed person who has to be woken up for landing) but cannot sleep once we arrive in Florida past 4am on the first night. On the way back, I get a few hours on the plane, then I'm fine after one night's sleep - whereas DH would whinge about jet lag all week if I let him! I find that the sooner I'm back at work, the better - don't have time to worry about it then. Haven't really felt jet lagged too badly on the trips when I've been back at work the next day. I think kids seem to cope better from what I've read here, too.

 

[Disney_Sarah]

Thank you everyone for your help.

It's hard judging it when you just don't know what to expect. He may not even start nursery that week. I think we may look the Thursday to Thursday so land the Friday so he has the whole weekend.

It's so different when planning with a little one compared to when we went for our honeymoon!

Xx

 

[chmurf]

I also allow 24 hours before going back to school, but TBH, DS never needed it. He adjusts right back when we land. It's a bit hard on the day we land, but the next day it's just business as usual for him.

We (adults) are not the same, we need more time to adjust, and, on top of that, we have something kids don't get : the disney blues. It kicks in as soon as we land, and somehow, I think our body/mind still wants to live on Florida time a while longer

 

[Disney_Sarah]

Thanks all.

I think we may book the thurs to thurs now...but plan on booking direct through disney so can change dates if needed depending on the flights we get.
He will hopefully be back to some sort of routine for him. As he will only be at Nursery 3 hours a day he can take naps if needed.

Now to make the final decision between POR and OKW! Arh so much to think about
xx