Is this too much for a 5 year old?

[Dontknowwhatyoumean]

Currently on holidays with DH and DS5, who will turn 6 soon. It’s a family holiday - I’m not from the UK but live there, and usually travel to my hometown 2/3 times a year. So, lots of people to see, loads of things to do, not enough time. Our days are packed, we meet loads of people and go everywhere either walking or by public transport (very busy city so not worth hiring a car). Today my DS looked particularly tired; I checked my phone and it seems that we walked 9k. And when he wasn’t walking he was in the beach or in the playground. Is this too much for his age? My DH thinks that it’s probably good for him, but I worry we are overdoing it...

I think my DC would have been more tired out by the different places and different people than the 9k. That said mine would have both let me know if they were too tired by having a massive meltdown about a broken biscuit or a tiny splash of spilled drink or something. If he seems OK put him to bed early and I wouldn't worry too much.

That’s less than 5 miles over the course of a day. Doesn’t sound a lot at all.

If he seems tired, like children often are on holidays, then have an early night and if necessary plan a lazier day

He’s your child, you would know if he was too tired. Mine would have no difficulty in whining if they were tired.

Thanks that’s reassuring. He hasn’t had a meltdown (yet), but has been asking us constantly to carry him (which he doesn’t do when we are at home) Early nights haven’t been possible so far - we are in a country where social activities tend to happen after 6pm and he doesn’t want to miss out. And even when we try, he’s so excited ond overtired that takes him ages to fall asleep (currently still awake singing ‘what’s that coming over the hill...’) Maybe he’s just more tired by meeting new people and going to new places...

Being a bit tired isn't going to kill him, so I wouldn't worry too much - and it sounds like maybe it's more the later nights and all the excitement and new people that's worn him out than the walking.

If he's so tired that he seems miserable, then could you have a more relaxed day or two where he just gets to potter about at the beach or something like and doesn't have to do too much walking around or socialising? I appreciate it can be difficult to have a chilled-out day when you've got family etc to see, though.

It's not physical tiredness I would be worried about. He is possibly struggling mentally with such packed days. He likely walks not fat off that on an average day anyway, kids are always on the move!

My 5 year old DS walked 12k at badminton horse trials this year as I made him walk the whole cross country course and tradestands!!

We’ll try to take it easy tomorrow - easy morning, picnic on the beach (getting there by taxi! ) and then meeting only a couple of people in the afternoon. Hopefully that’ll help! You are right though, he’s not having meltdowns so he’s probably fine and I’m worrying too much as always!

And yes, he’s probably more tired by the packed days. It’s quite difficult when you have a large family and they all want to see me ... (or rather, my DS, I seem to have become invisible since he was born ! )