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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To hope my children won’t be toooo tired after a midnight flight?

195 replies

Carla6 · 18/04/2023 09:50

Hi, we’re flying back from Greece right at the end of the summer holidays and I hoped my children would sleep on the plane back so booked it for the night before they start back at school as that was much cheaper. Now I’m wondering if I’ve messed up as it’s a midnight flight landing at 2am! Then a 2 drive home once we get luggage…I didn’t think this through properly when booking. Has anyone had a journey back like this and how were their children the next day and following day, tiredness wise?! I mean I can’t actually move the flights now but I’m just wondering how much of a mistake I’ve made! Any tips for comfy sleeping on the plane?! Thanks!

OP posts:
dig135 · 18/04/2023 10:29

Hollyhead · 18/04/2023 09:55

They’ll be fine in school being tired for one day! Some of you are such wimps!

This. It's not the end of the world.

SallyWD · 18/04/2023 10:31

We did exactly this last week but only because the kids were on their Easter holidays. They had a very lazy day and early night the next night. I had to work but took a half day so I started at lunch time.
We were all completely shattered!

DanceMonster · 18/04/2023 10:34

That sounds hideous to be honest. It’s not just about being ‘tired’ for one day, a small child with only a couple of hours sleep will struggle to function.

piratypotato · 18/04/2023 10:35

Albiboba · 18/04/2023 10:00

You’re being ridiculous. A school child being in their bed for an hour or two before a day of school is just cruel for a slightly cheaper flight.
This isn’t a night flight where they’re going to be asleep for 7 hours on the plane. They will have very limited and very broken sleep.

I wouldn’t expect an adult to be functioning for work after an hour or 2s sleep never mind a young child!

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Its not cruel, ffs. They'll sleep on the plane and in the car. Ludicrous to suggest that they will only have a hours sleep...

eurochick · 18/04/2023 10:37

They will get some sleep but will be very tired! This is really not fair on them.

I was on a delayed flight that landed at 1:30am this weekend. I had no luggage to collect and live half an hour from the airport and so was home by 2:30am. I had dozed on the plane but was still absolutely wrecked the next day!

Marblessolveeverything · 18/04/2023 10:38

Don't send children to the first day back without sleep! that is just asking for a nightmare. They will need a day or two at least with proper sleep before they return.

Change the flights - very unfair.

Binfluencer · 18/04/2023 10:38

We've done the same OP, doe May half term.

We'll likely all just stay home the next day, it's not a big deal.

Crunchymum · 18/04/2023 10:39

it’s a midnight flight landing at 2am! Then a 2 drive home once we get luggage

That's if everything runs on time.

I think you need to consider changing your flights.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 18/04/2023 10:39

Greece is 2 hours ahead so let's factor that in here.

Flight at 10pm (UK time). Arrive 2am (UK time). Unless they are very small, they won't fall asleep at the drop of a hat. They also won't be able to sleep before the flight either.

2am arrive / woken / luggage collection etc. Into the car for 3am. They again wont fall asleep at the drop of a hat. Home and woken again at 5am.

If possible back into bed for 3 hours.

So probably max 6 hours of broken sleep. Fun.

whoruntheworldgirls · 18/04/2023 10:39

Is it a full week of school or do they go back say on the Wednesday? If mid week they may just get by but i would write off the weekend for rest.
Can they lay across you/your partner? I have 1, she's 6, and she'll sleep even on a short flight, she'll rest her head on our lap, she'll even do this in the airport if it's a late flight. She'll also then sleep again in the car, make sure to have them in PJ's with bedtime teddy (if they have one) to reduce disruption, once home carry them (if young) straight to bed

SavBlancTonight · 18/04/2023 10:41

They will be tired but I'm not really buying into the frothing on this thread. They can doze/sleep on the plane and in the car and for a few hours when they get home. The younger they are the more likely they are to pass out at airport/on plane/in car and if they're older, they'll survive if they are a bit tired the next day.

Do be 100% prepared for an early night on return however.

SofiaSoFar · 18/04/2023 10:42

Absolute madness.

And there's people saying "holidays are important, it's fine..."

It's the first day of the school year; it's not fine at all.

It's the worst possible day of the academic year to have children absolutely exhausted - and they will be exhausted.

Suck it up and change the flights by at least one day, if not two.

EyesOnThePies · 18/04/2023 10:42

They will sleep as and when, and probably will fall asleep as soon as you get in the car.

Tired and grumpy is not the worst that can happen. Just get on with it as best you all can.

Truckinghell · 18/04/2023 10:43

Shoxfordian · 18/04/2023 09:52

You’ll all be exhausted the next day; how did it not occur to you that there’s a reason it was a cheap flight? Are you usually this disorganised?

Are you usually this disorganised?

Tilted head, tinkly laugh.

Lcb123 · 18/04/2023 10:43

I'd change it - and no idea how you didn't realise this. It's not fair for them to miss first day of school, or have had no sleep (which they won't)

whoruntheworldgirls · 18/04/2023 10:43

And if you do go ahead be sure first day back it school they have a very early night!

Cleoforever · 18/04/2023 10:44

All those shrugging about it

would you do it the day before starting a new job?

piratypotato · 18/04/2023 10:45

Cleoforever · 18/04/2023 10:44

All those shrugging about it

would you do it the day before starting a new job?

Might well do. But what's your point?

SofiaSoFar · 18/04/2023 10:46

piratypotato · 18/04/2023 10:45

Might well do. But what's your point?

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It's fairly obvious what the point is.

Cleoforever · 18/04/2023 10:46

piratypotato · 18/04/2023 10:45

Might well do. But what's your point?

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Because expecting children to start a new school year on hardly any sleep and disrupted at that…is not something I’d shrug about and call wimpish to say it will be difficult and reschedule

Cleoforever · 18/04/2023 10:47

Added to which

children need more sleep than adults so already at more of a disadvantage

CalpolDependant · 18/04/2023 10:48

Better to send them to school where they can be someone else’s problem than to have two tired and miserable children at home with you all day, making your life hell.

Give them a can of Monster and they’ll be fine.

CalpolDependant · 18/04/2023 10:48

Actually, how old are they? Maybe just half a can. You need to be responsible.

SmallElephants · 18/04/2023 10:48

I would and have had them in school on v little sleep or after late flights (home 4am) but not for the first day of the new school year.
how old are they? And what are their personalities would they generally cope well with change and little sleep?

lubileejubilee · 18/04/2023 10:49

Nearly 200 days in the school year and they're going to miss the first one. Not a day in the middle of exam preparation, the first one, where students and teachers alike will be easing back in.

Hardly a big deal is it? Perhaps if you make a habit of it, but as a one off? Keep your flights and keep them off. Some folk need to give their heads a wobble.