DS crying and asking to go home on holiday

[TGWTDT]

DS is 5 and we’re on our first holiday abroad. We’ve only been here two days and both evenings he’s broken down crying saying he misses home and wants to leave. .

Both days have been only centered around him. We’ve done water parks, swimming and have had no limits on ice cream and sweet treats etc. He made a little friend today and spent 6 hours in the kids pool and splash pad with him.

Then at dinner he got upset again and said he misses home and wants to leave now.

Is this normal? Is he just overwhelmed and tired?

We’ve held off having a holiday abroad until he was older because we were terrified of him hating the plane (when actually we needn’t of worried because he loved flying and was so well behaved) so always had nice UK holidays and he never reacted like this on those breaks.

it’s silly but it’s making me a bit sad that he just keeps crying and wants to go home. We’re going to Disneyland at Christmas and I don’t want this to happen again then!

Mine are 7 and 4 and have never done this on holiday, BUT we always have a break during the day. They get too tired otherwise.

lol. He definitely wanted the ice cream.

Why are you so incredulous about waffles?! 😂

He had one Chocolate waffle as a snack. Hardly the crime of the century giving him a sweet treat. He ate 2 watermelon slices and a handful of grapes afterwards!

Honestly - we’re on holiday. He is allowed a few treats 🙄

My DS is 6 and we were away in Aug:
he did find night times hard also at the beginning and we soon realised he actually needed a nap to get through as also loved the pool.
An hours nap done wonders to his mood.
i chilled on balcony.

Thanks to those who posted helpful comments and suggestions.

We had a lovely morning at the beach today - then back to the apartment for a snack and to watch his favourite show and some downtime.

We then went to lunch and then back to the apartment for a few hours and then out again for water slides and then back again for a break before dinner. He’s not been emotional today and the breaks really helped, so thank you 😊

I am surprised at those few being dramatic and incredulous about a child having ice cream and a waffle on holiday like I’m the worst parent in the World. 🫠😳🙄

What she means his he might want ice cream before dinner but his body doesn’t. He’s over stimulated.

6 hours in the pool and a waffle sounds like a perfectly reasonable day on holiday for a 5 year old to me. I would only do that one day of the holiday because it's my holiday too and I'd be bored but it's a normal day on a holiday.

Yet he's happier at home when he's not having ice-cream before dinner.

He's not enjoying the loss of the routines that make him feel physically well and safe.

Could he be missing his normal food?

My DD9 loves going on holiday (and the unlimited treats) but sometimes struggles with some of the food been a bit different

Sounds like you have had a great day today OP. Glad things are better for your little one. Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

He’s been taken on holiday and doing all the fun things kids love and want to do! You’re making it sound like he’s being tortured!

As I said, he’s had a great day today, no emotional moments - the breaks and downtime in the apartment are key to stop him feeling overstimulated and tired.

I am genuinely shocked that you are making such a big deal about him having 3 ice creams in 3 days whilst on holiday! 🫠

It’s normal, my kids did it too (uk holidays) that age and younger

I'm 72 but I still feel a bit like that at the end of the day on holiday. I'm tired and I just want my bed, my things. I wake up the next day and enjoy myself. I don't think it's anything to worry about, I've been like it all my life and it's never stopped me going on holiday and enjoying it. I do contain it more than I did at 5 but I still know the feeling.

It’s hard work behaving yourself at dinner out in public when you’re five. If he’s tired at the end of a fun day he’ll just be ready to relax a bit. Try an afternoon nap, especially if you’re eating a bit later than usual, we used to sell it as part of being on holiday (aren’t we lucky to have a sleep in the afternoon and this is how the locals do it…). Sometimes we didn’t get a sleep but lowering stimulation for a couple of hours helped anyway. We all want to go home when we’re tired it’s just the simplest language he can use to express it.

Icecream plays no part in me feeling a bit homesick at night. Don't worry.

Sounds like he’s shattered. I’d try and have a few earlier nights if you can OP. Kids always get over emotional when they’re tired

He will cry and miss it when he leaves!

I think you fluster a bit too much op, uou seem overly concerned but learning resilience, new experiences and sometimes being tired and emotional it really is not the end of the world.

Be strong with him. You are safe and well, we will be going home soon so let’s make the most of it now. Breaks and early nights worked for us.

Our children eat ice cream on holiday! Why would you ban ice cream on holiday?!

What a mood hoover you sound!!

Take no notice of the ice cream police, OP! Some folk on here think that having any more than a thimble of sherry at Xmas makes you an alcoholic and would have a nosebleed at the idea of their DC eating anything other than hummus and organic veg!

Take no notice of the treat police! It’s a holiday !