AWNY Mums and Dads Update, January 2017

The holidays are the time of year where many of us set sail to Australia for a few weeks of family and sun.  Unfortunately for those of us that do, there is the inevitable horror that is jetlag.

My boys, 2 and 5, were brilliant when we arrived in Australia. They didn’t miss a night’s sleep. They both stayed up all day, the day we arrived and then went to bed normal time and slept through until 4.30am. They were up early but so were their grandparents, so it was fine. The return home was a different story. Although we had quite a few awake nights, the children recovered quicker than I did. I was wide awake in the middle of the night well after they had started sleeping through. Getting up in the morning was the toughest but at least I had the incentive of getting the boys to school!

Interestingly a few Mums and Dads on the Australian Mums and Dads in New York Facebook group were returning at the same time as us and asked for advice on how to cope with the jetlag. I’ve compiled a list of the top suggestions:

• Make sure you get the children out into plenty of natural day light when you return to NYC
• Keep the children up all day – only short naps if necessary for younger children
• Keep them busy with activities throughout the day
• If the children do wake at night, entertain them with quiet activities, no screens and low lights.

Unfortunately a common thread through all the comments was that there is no miracle cure.  Prepare yourself for a week (and a bit) of pain.

I can’t even think about going on a flight, long haul or otherwise, for at least 6 months so it’s time to focus on New York.

We have a few ideas for events but Amanda and I have only been in the same city for a few days so far this year, so we’ll get to organising in the next week or two.  We are tossing up these ideas: an all in family brunch/lunch at the Australian NYC, a midweek dinner at Flinders Lane and/or a rooftop drink or two at Gallow Green.  So please watch this space.

As always, we’re open to suggestions for events to please contact us through Facebook or awny@aaanyc.org.