Help please! Jet lag is spoiling our Disney holiday.

[mckenzie]

The first morning both DS (7) and DD (3) woke at 3am. Yesterday it was 3.30am and this morning it was 4am. So yes, I know it's going in the right direction but at this rate it will be the end of the holiday before they are waking at a sensible time! Any tips please? Day time sleeps required? Later bedtimes? earlier bedtimes? Drugs? (only joking!)

I know really that we just have to hang in there and cope but I'd never forgive myself if I didn't ask Mumsnet and then found that there was a great tip out there that might have helped.

TIA

Keep them up really late tonight

are you saying that from experience shinyshoes?

Absolutely yes!

If they start to get tired this afternoon/early evening try to keep them going til about 2 hours after their normal bedtimes- that should help them to wake up later.

I agree with shiney and wear them out physically lots of theme park and/or swimming

thanks both of you. we were planning on having a quieter day today after 3 very hectic ones but perhaps we'll change that plan.

Try staying up and out late, maybe take them to a late night parade or something?

staying up late is a good idea as long as they do not substitute it with waking up at the usual time and taking a nap after a few hours!!! i.e. donot let them nap in the day either (assuming that they normally donot sleep in they day)

mckenzie - how is the weather?

Although my boys are 11.6 and 9, when we go to Florida (usually arrive to the resort about 7.00pm ish), we would have something to eat, unpack, watch a bit of tv, one thing we do not do is go to bed early.

I know you don't want to think about this when when you have just started your holiday, but when you get back, do not go to bed until your normal bedtime otherwise it will take ages to get over the jet lag which is worse coming home.

Oh I so feel for you. We are in New York and suffering the same. We have kept DD up late, as late as we can, and she is now waking at 5:30am, which I think it as good as we can hope for. It was 3:30am. She is having 2-3 hour naps from 1:30pm - around 4pm ish, but she is only 2.5 and we just cannot physically keep her up, especially if we are in the car. She would quite happily sleep for 4 hours.

its so difficult to know how to do it, DD has been absolutely run ragged as she has a cousin same age as her and a cousin aged 6. Although she is exhausted, she is just not sleeping as long. Perhaps there is just too much going on.

Sorry I cannot give you any good advice, if anything changes in the next day, will let you know if we did anything special!

I agree with those who suggest keeping them up later if at all possible

We are also in NY and spent the first few days with them waking at 5am.

ds1 always suffer most - I also know that coke sends him hyper perks him right up (cola just for clarity) so keep hoim going as late as possible when he starts to flag give him a coke then keep him going as late as possbile. east cost usual takes kids two days to get right.

Keep them up late?

We are lucky, none of us have every suffered from jet lag after travelling to Florida, only ever when coming home.

well we did as advised yesterday. Had a full on day with Nike store followed by golf followed by Seaworld. Back to the villa for a swim and shower and then out to dinner. Both DCs fell asleep in the car on th way home about 9pm but it did mean they didn't wake until 5.45am this morning. Much better then the 3/4am of the previous 3 days.
So thanks for the tip and hopefully it will only get better.

bellaBuonNatalevita - the weather is glorious. 81 yesterday and 82 forecast for today then dropping to mid/high 70s or the rest of the week. Some showers forecast for middle of next week. Are you coming out soon?

Hulababy - we went to Australia in April and then the Dcs slept in late when we arrived but woke up very very early when we got home. I'm therefore hoping that when we get back from here they will be sleeping late (ie the whole thing in reverse). I'm keeping my fingers crossed anyway.

Must fly now. Off to Hollywood Studios

We've always used the early starts to our advantage and get up early to be first at the parks. Being there at opening time is fun, as most of the parks have a little opening ceremony.

Granted mine have never woken at 3am - more like 5amish. That meant we could have a lazy start to the day and then breakfast around 6, then off to the park for 7.30 opening time.

dont make me jealous Soapbox! I've had a 3am, 3,30 and 4am so far so this mornings 5.45am was fantastic. But it's not been as bad as after Australia - the first morning then the DCs woke at 1.30am!!!! Hideous.

Glad the weather is nice for you - no we are not coming out, we went in July it was just on the other thread that you started before you went someone had said at this time of year they had to wear gloves etc as the temperature had dropped quite a bit on a few of the days.

Have a lovely holiday.

thanks bv. Yes the weather is being very kind to us so far. The DCs are at this moment splashing about in the outdoor pool which for December is great huh? In fact, I'm looking forward to the weather cooling down a tad. It's been very hot today.