Many years ago, when my boys were 8 and 5½, our family was lucky enough to spend Thanksgiving in New York City visiting my brother-in-law, who has lived there for decades and works in the theatre community.
We knew it was going to be a whirlwind trip.
And really, who goes to New York City and says, “Let’s make sure we don’t do too much”? Certainly not us. 😄
We ran around Times Square. We made our way to the barricades for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and watched the balloons being inflated the night before. We enjoyed a never-ending Thanksgiving feast. We saw The Lion King on Broadway AND got to go backstage after the show.
Whew!
Even though we barely scratched the surface of everything there is to do in New York, we packed a LOT into that trip.
And my kids felt it.
Yes, the Sleep Consultant’s Kids Got Overtired
Between all the walking, the fresh air, the excitement, the time change, the early mornings and the late nights (yes, even a sleep consultant keeps her kids up too late sometimes!), our boys were exhausted.
Their usual sleep schedules? Let’s just say they didn’t make the trip with us.
And we paid for it with some tired, crabby kids.
But here’s the thing: I don’t regret it.
All these years later, I don’t look back on that Thanksgiving and think, If only we’d gotten the kids to bed earlier.
I remember watching the balloons being inflated. I remember the parade. I remember taking my boys to a Broadway show and getting to go backstage.
I remember experiencing New York City together.
And that’s something I think is important to remember as we head into another holiday season.
Sometimes the Memory Is Worth the Wonky Sleep
I’m a sleep consultant. Of course I’m going to tell you that sleep matters. It does.
A well-rested child is generally going to have an easier time handling all the excitement, unfamiliar people, disrupted routines, and stimulation that can come with the holidays.
But I’m also a mom.
And sometimes Grandma only sees the kids a few times a year.
Sometimes there’s a holiday party that runs past bedtime.
Sometimes you’re visiting a new city and there’s one more thing you really want your family to experience together.
And sometimes you decide it’s worth it.
Protecting your child’s sleep doesn’t mean you have to protect it perfectly.
A Few Ways to Make Holiday Travel + Sleep Easier
If you’ll be traveling this holiday season, a little planning can go a long way. Below are some of my top tips.
Protect the sleep that matters most. You may not be able to preserve every nap and bedtime exactly, but try to avoid stacking too many late nights, skipped naps, and jam-packed days together.
Build in some downtime. This is one lesson I learned quickly in New York! Kids can get overwhelmed by a packed holiday schedule just like adults can. Leave some breathing room between activities when you can.
Bring a little bit of home with you. Familiar pajamas, a favorite book or lovey, your usual white noise, and the same bedtime routine can provide helpful cues that it’s time to sleep, even in an unfamiliar place.
Give yourself some flexibility. One late bedtime or unusual nap isn’t going to undo every healthy sleep habit you’ve built.
When you get home, return to your usual routine. You may need a little time to settle back in, especially after a time change or several busy days. Get back to your familiar bedtime routine and sleep schedule, and give everyone a chance to readjust.
If you’re planning holiday travel with a baby or toddler, I shared more ideas in my blog post How to Protect Your Child’s Sleep Schedule During Holiday Travel. You’ll find more tips there for naps, bedtime routines, sleep environments, car and plane travel, and getting back on track after your trip.
Enjoy the Holidays
My biggest piece of advice hasn’t changed much since that Thanksgiving in New York: Try not to sweat it too much.
Protect your child’s sleep where you can. Make choices that work for your family.
And when there’s a moment that’s worth bending the schedule for? Enjoy it.
Years from now, you probably won’t remember exactly what time your child went to bed.
But you just might remember standing together on a New York City sidewalk, watching giant balloons come to life before the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I know I do.
Happy Holidays!
