International travel just before starting kindergarten

[Anonymous]

My son starts kindergarten on August 22nd and so far is not at all excited about it. We have been offered a free family trip to Europe returning August 16th. We have traveled overseas many times and the way back is never quite as bad in terms of jet lag. But am I crazy to give my son less than a week between vacation and starting school? Is this enough time for him to adjust and get prepared?

[Anonymous]

We go to Europe and Asia regularly to see family. 3-4 days to recuperate is perfect, and none of you will get to stress too much about school in that time-frame.
Go and enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Definitely go. He will be bored and dreading school all that week if you stay home.

[Anonymous]

We are travellling to Russia and returning Labor Day, son will go to school the next day. Bracing for a couple of hard days.

[Anonymous]

Not trying to be snarky: I don't understand what your son would need to do that might take more than 1 week to prepare for kinder that you couldn't take care of before your trip? Do your back to school shopping & set up a few play dates with other kids who will be in his class ahead of time. Jet lag will only take a few days, max.

[Anonymous]

Sure! We went in vacation (not overseas, but still) and got back 2 days before kindergarten started. It was fine!

[Anonymous]

we got back from an international trip the Friday before the first day of kindergarten the following Monday and my kids were fine. 2 days was fine. The only thing I did regret was missing the open house and kindergarten orientation and having my kids meet their teachers prior to the first day of school. Just make sure you get all your school supplies before you leave so you're not running around shopping while you are jet lagged.

[Anonymous]

only thing I would even weigh is if you won't be back in time to meet the teacher and see the classroom the friday (or whenever) before school starts, but if that's not a problem I wouldn't worry about it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not trying to be snarky: I don't understand what your son would need to do that might take more than 1 week to prepare for kinder that you couldn't take care of before your trip? Do your back to school shopping & set up a few play dates with other kids who will be in his class ahead of time. Jet lag will only take a few days, max.

OP here - I hear you. I hesitated to hit submit on this last night because I realized it may have sounded like an empty concern. We're just really stressed about him starting K because he doesn't want to go and we can absolutely envision a scenario where he refuses to get on the bus that first day of school. So I don't want to add too many other things to stress about (e.g. jet lag) on top of that. But I think the answer is what you said and we just need to plan ahead. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely go. He will be bored and dreading school all that week if you stay home.

Good point. Maybe we can get him some cool English and German school supplies to make it exciting.

[Anonymous]

A week is plenty of time. You're crazy not to go because of starting K a week later . I'm saying that with a smile

[Anonymous]

Go!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son starts kindergarten on August 22nd and so far is not at all excited about it. We have been offered a free family trip to Europe returning August 16th. We have traveled overseas many times and the way back is never quite as bad in terms of jet lag. But am I crazy to give my son less than a week between vacation and starting school? Is this enough time for him to adjust and get prepared?

Plenty of time. We aren't traveling internationally, but we do get back form vacation the day before my son starts K