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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:
viques · 18/04/2023 12:36

Send them in ( with a note so the poor teachers don’t think they have got zombies in the class), they will be fine. They will have slept on the plane and in the car. The first day is really important, sets the tone for the year. Get their school clothes/ bags ready and laid out BEFORE you go on holiday so all you need to do is get them dressed and fill their water bottles. You will be the one suffering, and serves you right for poor planning 🤗

SofiaSoFar · 18/04/2023 12:39

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 18/04/2023 12:30

Why are some posters acting like the first day of the school year is so precious? If secondary then yeah maybe but Primary? Nope!

Why are some posters acting like school doesn't matter?

I feel sorry for the teachers when parents are all "so what..." about their children's ability to function properly at school.

I imagine they're also the same ones kicking off when their PFB isn't doing well, or teachers are complaining about them.

It's all the school's fault, of course.

viques · 18/04/2023 12:45

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 18/04/2023 12:30

Why are some posters acting like the first day of the school year is so precious? If secondary then yeah maybe but Primary? Nope!

It is important, they will know where they are sitting, where to put belongings. Hang their coats and bags. The teacher, and the class , will have talked about class rules and expectations, they will have been given their new books, found out where to line up in the playground. They will have had their first assembly and been told of any changes within the school, new teachers, playground changes etc. Told when their PE days are. Told their timetables, their lunch time and play times. The next day the teacher will be straight into teaching a full day mode and won’t be going over all the information again . all the other kids will have caught up with each other on day one and be ready to get back into school mode.

Nordicrain · 18/04/2023 12:47

Of course they will be tired. Even if the managed to fall asleep on the flight the sleep time will be limited and interupted by take off and landing, walking out of the airport etc. We've done it and it was fine during the actual journey - they took it all in their stride - but yes the kids were shattered the next day.

viques · 18/04/2023 12:48

Can2022getanyworse · 18/04/2023 10:07

We flew overnight from the USA on the Saturday night before school in Monday. Both slept on the plane but were in a mess on Sunday and we're still wiped out on the Monday.

OP you should rebook or accept that they're going to miss at least one day of school. It's not just the flight but they'll be hanging around in the airport beforehand, all the excitement of flying (I can't sleep on planes) then the disruption at the other end, a 2 hour drive then straight to school - madness!!

But a flight from Greece won’t involve jet lag like a flight from the US.

piratypotato · 18/04/2023 12:49

Its the first day of a year. It really doesn't matter. Teachers would agree.

Theres this very British idea that every second of school is vitally important and sacred. It's complete rot.
Your kids were there last year, they don't need to relearn where coats go and where to line up, ffs. They'll catch up the next day in about 47 seconds.

toomuchlaundry · 18/04/2023 12:59

I doubt many teachers would argue that first day of a new school year is not important

slimdown · 18/04/2023 12:59

It's fucking cruel

My god the hysteria on this thread.

ODFOx · 18/04/2023 13:00

I wouldn't worry about them being tired for one day, as long as neither are changing school.
If the plane is delayed and you don't make it back for them to get at least a couple of hours sleep in their own bed I'd call the school and explain that you were much later back than planned due to delays and keep them off.

ShortDaysLongNights · 18/04/2023 13:01

Why don't you play it by ear?
Assuming flight is on time, luggage comes quickly, etc and kids manage to sleep on the plane and car I think you can pull this off.
Not great, but realistically the first day of school isn't a full on academic day. Let them sleep as long as you can in the morning. Pick them up straight from school.
Only you know your kids. Mine would be tired but pretty sure they'd manage. And the excitement of seeing all their friends after the holidays would push help them push through.
It's one day after all.

However, I'd keep the option open to leave them at home if there are any delays.

Kitcaterpillar · 18/04/2023 13:03

Hang their coats and bags.

Yes, exactly. If they miss the first day, they will never discover the pegs. They'll be forced to carry their coat and bag with them for a full school year. Extremely cruel parenting.

Sudeko · 18/04/2023 13:06

You know they answer to that one but you posted here for support to make your decision feel better for you.
You should have booked a flight at a normal time on the following day (or even the day after that). It is silly and potentially dangerous to do it as you are planning to save a bit of money.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 18/04/2023 13:07

I think it’s fine as long as you are happy to keep them off school on the first day.

You can’t possibly send them in that morning - they’ll be exhausted!

RideACockHorseToSunburyCross · 18/04/2023 13:16

"It's fucking cruel

My god the hysteria on this thread."

It's not hysterical to point out that it's shitty and selfish to make them miss the first day at school because you wanted to save a few quid. Nobody said they'll never find their pegs, don't be so fucking ridiculous 🙄.

Why you'd want your kids to be the ones that feel like they're playing catch up I'll never know but it seems that there are lots that don't give a shit about that if they can top up their tan for an extra day.

Spottycarousel · 18/04/2023 13:20

As a young child I'd have struggled starting the school year a day later than everyone else. I was a sensitive kid though. Being exhausted would have been even worse.

It really does depend on dc but generally speaking I think best to avoid this in future.

LisaD1 · 18/04/2023 13:22

Personally I think this is a bad idea. I travel a lot for work, short haul flights are exhausting. I’m an adult, I can cope with little sleep on occasions but a child who is going into a new year/term at school, nope, I’d not do this. I don’t think missing school is the best idea either in the first day of a new school year. I’d pay to change flights if it were me.

Truckinghell · 18/04/2023 13:24

RideACockHorseToSunburyCross · 18/04/2023 13:16

"It's fucking cruel

My god the hysteria on this thread."

It's not hysterical to point out that it's shitty and selfish to make them miss the first day at school because you wanted to save a few quid. Nobody said they'll never find their pegs, don't be so fucking ridiculous 🙄.

Why you'd want your kids to be the ones that feel like they're playing catch up I'll never know but it seems that there are lots that don't give a shit about that if they can top up their tan for an extra day.

Oh, simmer down. You don't get to storm about with your hyperbole and shout everyone else down.

RideACockHorseToSunburyCross · 18/04/2023 13:25

"Oh, simmer down. You don't get to storm about with your hyperbole and shout everyone else down."

Simmer down yourself thread police 🤣

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 18/04/2023 13:28

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 18/04/2023 13:07

I think it’s fine as long as you are happy to keep them off school on the first day.

You can’t possibly send them in that morning - they’ll be exhausted!

I mean, when I say fine, it’s not ideal to miss the first day of school, but they definitely won’t be able to go in.

Peachy2005 · 18/04/2023 13:32

Play by ear, they may desperately want to go to school. Ring in sick on the day if it’s clear they have barely slept and aren’t fit for it.

KvotheTheBloodless · 18/04/2023 13:36

I'd not send them into school if they've not slept much, they'll be miserable. The first day back is hard enough without factoring in exhaustion.

Maybe see if they'll sleep in the morning, then just send them in for the afternoon classes?

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 18/04/2023 13:38

Yes I agree going in in the afternoon might work as an alternative.

WhatToDo2023 · 18/04/2023 13:39

You mean you land on their first day of school? That's unbelievably cruel of you, if that's the case. Of course they will be shattered. You need to change the flights now.

amgine · 18/04/2023 13:40

From experience of late arriving flights also think about how safe you’ll be driving home. We did this last year and didn’t get out of Heathrow until gone midnight and would never have been able to cope with a drive - was bad enough driving to a hotel nearby as with the day on holiday, flights, border control etc we were shattered.

MattTebbuttsDenimShirt · 18/04/2023 13:42

Of course they will be too tired for school on the same day they land after an exciting/exhausting holiday and a cheap flight home, plus travel to house.