It’s 2:46am. Do you know where your kids are?
I do!
They’re currently running around the living room where I’m lying as I type three words a minute and am currently on the receiving end of a banana being rubbed against my forehead.
And why? You guessed it! Jet lag. If you, like me, are either arriving or re-arriving back to Shanghai after a summer visit back home you are probably living the dream just like I am right now (Only maybe with less banana rubbing.)
I’m not new to this whole jet lag with kids thing either, but I am new to the whole two kids with jet lag, husband has to work so he has to sleep and I have to suck it up and take them downstairs on my own. Bah! So with this I give you my tips on helping you and your kids to get over jet lag. The following is very scientific. And by that I mean not scientific at all.
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Buy some melatonin supplements while you’re back home. I thought this was literally the best idea ever thinking I was going to look jet lag in the face and be like: “Ha! You thought you had me didn't you! Well take this!” But it turns out that I forgot to read the label and it straight up says, “Do not take while breastfeeding.” Like, not even a “not recommended, ask your doctor.” kind of thing, just a straight do not take. I considered weaning Oren immediately, but (sigh) I guess I won’t. If you are not breastfeeding like me then enjoy and know that I hate you. Instead, I currently have a glass of warm milk sitting beside me which I’m too lazy/tired to drink. Gah, natural remedies for the lose!
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Keep the kids up until just a bit past their actual bedtime when they arrive back in Shanghai. This may mean that they’ve been up for a solid 13 hours. In which case, load them with evenly spaced out sugar highs in anticipation of an eventual sugar crash leading to sweet, sweet sleep.
Or you could:
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Let the kids fall asleep whenever and wherever in hopes that their bodies will naturally reset themselves. I’m watching Oren who is sucking on a toy car and lying on the floor. So be it. It’s not pointy and I have carpeting. That’s good mothering right there.
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Bring the kids into your bedroom, toss a few toys on the floor, close any doors tightly, snuggle up under the covers, and declare that they are allowed to have a no-holds-barred free-for-all on the floor while Mommy supervises from her pillow. Only wake up or commence supervision if you hear a loud bang or crying. Otherwise they’ll be fine. (Not recommended for kids under age one…however, if they have older siblings, fair game.)
Do all of these things and you’re sure to be over jet lag in no time flat! Because dragging yourself around in this humidity while being exhausted is no fun at all! Also, you may want to try other things like just about anything you find on Google. I’m not saying my methods don’t work, but I am definitely saying my kids are still running around and its now 3:12am…so what do I know?
xo
Niki
// Nicole Chia is Urban Family's new mom blogger. Check out her insight into family life in Shanghai every week on www.urban-family.com. Read her previous post here.
