Finding 2 really tough, sleep?

[Georgia324]

I guess I just wanted some support as we are flying home a day early from our Jet2 holiday in Gran Canaria (one room - no family suite). I’ve really struggled with sleep, screaming, avoiding the sun, mealtimes, nap routines, everything really. I was already feeling fragile at home but stupidly thought that the break from cooking and cleaning would be a real game-changer. However my 9mo was up at 0415 this morning and wouldn’t go back to sleep until 0615.

I have bipolar disorder so sleep is very important to me. We should have got a suite but they were sold out and I was dead set on the hotel as we came here last year. I’m quite wound up about bottles (he’s formula fed), nap times, etc. Our transfer home starts tonight at lo’s bedtime.. flight is 2230-0230… I’m dreading it so any tips v welcome… ive deleted chat GPT off my phone because I became too dependent on it for emotional support over early wakes and questions I was asking it about my own mental health.

This feels like one of the worst times to go on holiday in terms of development! Crawling and pulling up everywhere, danger everywhere! I’m still under the perinatal mental health team as I got v unwell after my first child (hence the age gap, to an extent). They have been great. Hoping I feel better after a few better nights at home. Gosh it’s really tough having two.

solidarity and ideas would be amazing

Exactly why we decided to wait a few years to take kids on abroad holidays...Started taking them from age 5 and had some great fun then had another 3 so waiting another year till there same age to go with elders and us.. currently just holiday houses in uk

Why oh why would you fly at that time?!

The flights weren’t our choice. It was a package holiday and we also wanted to leave early so the flights were even more limited. As to why to have two kids, that’s not a very kind thing to say. Perhaps some naivety in that my eldest was a 7-7 sleeper from 5 months so this is a bit of a shock (though I realise 7-5 isn’t exactly bad). Instincts overcome logic sometimes when it comes to choices around building a family. I don’t regret it but you’re right that the sleep impact is greater than I anticipated. We had a night nanny helping us for the first 10 weeks to prevent me getting unwell, which we saved up for for a year, and sleep regressions we have used her too. We have help at home; we don’t abroad. @JustABeanthat is a smart decision! I’ll look at family rentals in the Uk for summer. Thank you

From a fellow bipolar disorder sufferer I really feel for you! Unfortunately at that age the stress does just seem to move with you when you take them away, but I can totally understand your wanting to go. I’ve found it does get easier as they get older, the other thing is if you have family you can go away with who can help, that was a game changer for us. We’ve just been to the canaries in a big family group and it worked out well. Hope you’re able to catch up on sleep now you’re back and your flight was bearable!

Wow not helpful!

Thanks to @PinkPanda99for your empathy (and DM) 🙏🏼