Junior jetlag

It’s usually the first sign that winter is coming… the hour goes back, the nights get darker and I start plotting ways to spend as much of the cold weather overseas as possible. Except at Christmas, I do love Christmas.

But this year, it’s got me thinking about jetlag. Our first trip, thankfully, is to the same time zone but before long we’re likely to venture out of that narrow stretch of latitude which is currently enjoying Greenwich Mean Time. Unfortunately, Minnie’s bodyclock looks likely to stay set on UK time, based on the fact that her sleep pattern is somewhere between completely erratic and British Summer Time.

Having whimpered with tiredness and insomnia in Japan when I was dropping with fatigue at 8pm and wide awake at 2am, only finally falling asleep again at about 7am (just before the alarm went off), I know how hideous jetlag can be. As a grown-up (mostly), at least I understand the concept and am a bit better prepared to force myself to stay up or pop some melatonin tablets to take the edge off.

Minnie has only just discovered her left arm belongs to her, something which is causing her extreme delight judging by the amount she’s waving it around, so there’s no chance she’ll be able to understand why I want her to nap at the wrong time. In fact, she barely wants to nap anyway.

I only wish I had the solution to the conundrum. Do I grit my teeth and allow for a few horribly sleep-deprived nights as she re-sets. Or hope the travel tires her out enough? Or break out the blackout blinds, so she doesn’t know whether it’s day or night anyway? As ever, any tips welcomed…

Otherwise, as I’m struggling to get a decent night’s sleep in the comfort of my own home, the thought of coping halfway round the world is filling me with mild dread. Although perhaps I’d be a bit more ready to face the challenge if I hadn’t been awakened approximately 96 times last night?

Image: iampeas/Flickr