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How to get through a holiday with no sleep?

18 replies

Knobblybobbly · 29/07/2021 04:48

We’re on holiday (me, husband, kids, dog). My parents have come to join us for a few nights and my dad, bless him, uses the toilet every few hours. This has resulted in our dog crying for 30 mins every time he hears my Dad moving about. This has kept me awake (and no doubt them too).

God knows how Dad copes with waking so frequently in the night but that’s not the point of my post really, because this is a selfish post about me.

Tomorrow I need to somehow get through the day on 3 hours of sleep and stay happy and positive. I have form form for sleeping terribly on holiday which builds up to me feeling very anxious and irritable and generally gagging to go home. I don’t think I’ve ever really enjoyed holidays due to this, thinking back even to before having kids, sleeping on holiday was always a huge issue.

This year I’ve come armed with nytol but didn’t take it tonight as was so tired I knew I’d fall asleep easily, with I did! But I just didn’t anticipate being woken and kept awake all night by the bloody dog!!

I have found some earplugs (gave some to parents and will of course all go out in the morning to let them lie in) but I fear it is too late for me. My daughter will be awake in a few hours. Typically she and my husband have slept all the way through the noise!

So a bit of anxiety is kicking in now. Trying to stay logical and tell myself lack of sleep won’t kill me, that this doesn’t need to ruin my holiday etc. But it just doesn’t feel like a holiday. Because it’s basically a sleep deprivation challenge.

My parents are staying tomorrow night too, so more than likely our dog will cry all night again.

Maybe I should ask them not to stay a second night? (Maybe they’ll volunteer that anyway)

I know this isn’t exactly a real problem but I feel like crying because we get one holiday a year and sta always so bloody dominated by my terrible sleeping.

I sleep really well at home by the way. I don’t have a sleep problem. But I don’t function at all well on little/no sleep.

OP posts:
CallMeRisley · 29/07/2021 04:59

If your husband has slept through the noise, will he get up with your daughter and you can have a few hours lie in in the morning?

Knobblybobbly · 29/07/2021 05:13

Possibly. I’ve texted him to ask. Fingers crossed.

OP posts:
CallMeRisley · 29/07/2021 05:19

Fingers crossed, hope you managed to get some rest Flowers

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Mindymomo · 29/07/2021 06:28

If your dad is having to visit the toilet that often in the night, he needs to see his GP to get his prostate checked. I would ask your husband to either look after the dog at night or your child in the morning so you can have a lie in.

Hfjshdhs · 29/07/2021 06:33

Hope you feel ok today. If I ever have a terrible night's sleep it helps to remind myself that I’ve done this before and survived.

I’m starting a new job today and feel sick from lack of sleep last night. Misery loves company, so I’m there in spirit with you!

MaMaD1990 · 29/07/2021 06:40

@Mindymomo

If your dad is having to visit the toilet that often in the night, he needs to see his GP to get his prostate checked. I would ask your husband to either look after the dog at night or your child in the morning so you can have a lie in.
I second your dad going to the GP, it's a sign of diabetes. Hopefully your husband can get up and let you sleep in and get some rest. Are you able to duck out of the days activities for a couple of hours to get some sleep?
User5827372728 · 29/07/2021 07:38

I third your dad getting checked out for the need to wee so often.

I wouldn’t cut short my parents holiday because of my sleep issues. Take a nytol tonight with ear plugs and ask OH to be in charge in case there’s a problem

RampantIvy · 29/07/2021 07:48

I third your dad getting checked out for the need to wee so often

And I fourth it.

Going forward, if they come on holiday with you again perhaps it would be better if they stayed in different accommodation.

SnarkyBag · 29/07/2021 08:13

Can the dog sleep on with your parents? Maybe less likely to cry if he knows where the noise is coming from?

rookiemere · 29/07/2021 08:25

Take the Nytol tonight, that way you can survive today by looking forward to a good nights sleep.

Stath · 29/07/2021 08:41

Can you schedule a nap this afternoon?
DH should facilitate you having more kip if he’s had the best night’s sleep. Get a bucketful of coffee down you. I feel for you.

TrueRefuge · 29/07/2021 08:52

I feel your pain, I don't sleep well around others/on holiday and am rubbish on little sleep!

I think good sleep hygiene tonight; no screen, a bath/herbal tea, and earplugs as soon as you get to bed to hopefully help you get into a deeper sleep.

Are you in a place where you could get something to calm DDog? (I'm thinking Feliway but for dogs?) Doggo is probably thinking "I never get to enjoy my holidays, I'm always so stressed and I'm rubbish on only 14 hours sleep!" Grin

Today, one or two good strong coffees early doors so you can enjoy your day, but none after midday!

And then in the future, accepting with DDog and your DParents shared accommodation doesn't really work and you probably want to look for a cottage complex etc so everyone has their own space.

I'm sorry, I hope things get a bit better and you're able to enjoy the day today!

peridito · 29/07/2021 08:57

Too late to be of any help but I always tell myself it doesn't matter if I actually sleep .Lying in bed means I'm resting and I tell myself that's the main thing .

Good luck getting through today Flowers +Brew Brew Brew

Knobblybobbly · 29/07/2021 09:04

@Hfjshdhs

Hope you feel ok today. If I ever have a terrible night's sleep it helps to remind myself that I’ve done this before and survived.

I’m starting a new job today and feel sick from lack of sleep last night. Misery loves company, so I’m there in spirit with you!

Thank you!

As it turns out, I got up and opened the curtains and don’t feel too bad now.

Adrenaline will no doubt get you through your first day today!

OP posts:
DaniellaDavis · 29/07/2021 09:16

Just get it where you can, explain that you need a couple of hours. Or even lie and say you'd like to go shopping and then go for a few hours sleep!

Knobblybobbly · 29/07/2021 09:17

Thank you for the lovely replies! I ended up sleeping from 5am-8am and woke up feeling a bit ridiculous for being so worried in the night.

It’s a strange anxiety, being awake in the night. I worry about all the ramifications over the next few days, mainly feeling irritable. I feel like I have no control over my irritability sometimes which is my main problem in life now, ever since having post natal depression 6 years ago which, as it happens, was hugely exacerbated by lack of sleep.

Will follow the good advice above and tonight will be better.

Dad insists he’s had his prostate checked and mum concurs. He’s a bit doctor-phobic so not entirely sure I believe him.

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 29/07/2021 09:21

In that case they really need to be in separate accommodation next time you go away if you go away with them again.

Lack of sleep is horrible.

DGFB · 29/07/2021 09:25

Lack of sleep is horrible but you can’t expect your dad to not get up/sleep elsewhere. You have to suck it up or somehow calm your dog?

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