Toddler post-holiday blues

[VintedoreBay]

Almost 3yo is really struggling since we got home from our summer holiday. Family time every day, in-apartment family dance party before dinner, all the food choices and daily pudding, activities, outings and daily adventures and just being so entirely active, together and laughing so much all the time. And then it's over and we came home. TV is back on, they don't want to do anything or eat really either. Mummy has chores to do and Daddy is back to work.

I get it. I absolutely do. They (we) had the best holiday. It breaks my heart seeing my usual little beam of joy so down.

How long is this likely to last? Any tips?

I have an almost 4 year old. Little kids don't get 'the blues' like adults do. You might expect them to be a bit upset about the return from holiday, maybe have the odd sad moment or cry, but a consistent long-lasting 'down' feeling? No. As others have said, your child is ill.

My eldest doesn't get "the blues" but she does really struggle when we have to go back to work and she doesn't see us as much (especially not seeing as much of her dad). I wouldn't say she's "blue" but she definitely acts out much more and is much clingier when she does see him. Has always been like this! This time it probably took her a couple of weeks to get back into her usual routine and contented self.

@Lunchmenuplease

I don't know if a 3 year old is capable of those feelings really.

A 3yo is not capable of feeling sad or down? They might not have the capability to name the feeling yet, granted!

I think I feel it as the reality of back to work and life sets in but a 3 year old has a pretty easy going life. Yes a 3yo does have an easy life in reality. Mine has a life where Daddy is away a lot working and the 3yo even asked on our journey home that we were all going home and that Daddy wasn't going off to work.

You seem very defensive. You've asked for opinions and don't like the opinions so are being rude amd you're deliberately being vague regarding important details.

Of course a 3 year old can feel sad but I meant in the context of having the holiday blues how you describe.
Your child obviously had a fabulous holiday and enjoyed the family time as we all do but I don't think they are having an extended holiday blues.

Do you feel exactly the same every single time you feel unwell no matter what the cause?

And of course a toddler can have emotions. What they don't have is the emotional stability and broader understanding to feel a prolonged post-holiday malaise. A toddler who lives a normal, happy life doesn't have many problems that they'll remember if they're offered a biscuit.

Just sounds lovely that you are able to have such an easy time with him full stop. My 3yo is just such hard work all the time, it’s exhausting and I don’t really enjoy spending any time with her at all. Holiday is even harder work. I try, I really do.

@Lunchmenuplease Rude or defensive how so? I think you've maybe misconstrued some or all of my responses or read it in in a different tone perhaps.

I miss spending so much time with my 3yo since baby sibling arrived 6m or so ago, so I really do cherish spending time with them. But yes, totally exhausting, holiday was very exhausting!

@VintedoreBay i also have a 1 year old who barely gets a look in. The older one takes up 99% of my attention and capacity as she’s just so difficult, baby barely gets a look in ☹️

My toddler was exaclty like this when we got back from Bulgaria this summer. We're spending a month travelling India & Thailand in a few months time, I dread to think about the holiday blues already 😁 but they soon get over It once they're back in a routine - just shows how much of a fab time they had!

My DC never experienced this. Yes, they love being on holiday but were always happy to be reunited with all of their toys & their friends.