Traveling far alone with young kids?

Ok, here s the dilemma. I have an opportunity to go home for Xmas (it's about 24 hours total travel with all the connections since we're not near a major airport like JFK). I have done it before, but never in the winter, and never without someone helping me. The kids are older now, 2.5 years and 6 years, so not babies, but still. My family would very much like us to come visit, but they are also very focused on all the negative - potential sickness, travel delays, weather, something else going wrong - you get the idea! If we go, my older child would miss about 7 days of school total. I asked her teacher about this, but have not heard yet. My kids do ok on the plane for the most part, but they don't sleep and are just fried towards the end. They also take a few days to adjust to the clock - the first 3 days in Europe we re up all night and asleep during the day! I so much want to see people, but logic tells me wait till summer when you have more time and can stay longer. Btw, I got really cheap flights this time around, so I'm not spending loads of money. Any ideas? Anyone who traveled alone for that long?

Added (1). I don't think I said, but if we go, the total stay would be a little less than 3 weeks.

Added (2). No! I want to make this journey! I want to know from those who've done something similar!

You obviously do not want to make this journey, so why are you asking us about it.

Maybe someone will feel sorry for you and buy you a pretzel

People who have 'done something similar' will tell you what you already know: it's a long journey, jetlag is a problem, the children will be a handful that you'll have to cope with alone. Yet people still do it.
Nobody can decide for you.
Why not wait to hear what the teacher says before making your decision?

JET LAG happens. You can start the adjustment BEFORE you travel.

Your child misses some time in school. The teacher may suggest some type of assignment for the child on their adventure.to make up for the missed classes. Child may need to do extra work when they return to catch up.

So as you well remember when you were under 3 what did you get from a vacation at that age?

it's about 24 hours total travel. Really? From the time they wake up at home until they get to sleeping place at far away place?

Children do sleep when tired eventually. You can adjust their sleeping times to accomadate the travel. You can work on it a few days before you go.
i will not suggest any particular drug that might assist. Your doctor might.

I so much want to see people, and the 2 year old wants… The 6 year old wants…

Or do expect them to just sit by your side as you visit with the other Adults.

WEATHER can happen. Flight cancellations or delays can happen. Christmas is busy. Miss a flight and it could be an hour or days until you can get a seat for next flight. Just the way it is. PLAN for a just in case situation.

There are many ways to get to Europe not using JFK There's no law that says you can't have a rest stop along the way to home. Or back.

PACK LIGHT. Your family has laundry. And could assist with any special clothing needed.

Get your rest too before you go. It will be hard on you getting through the crowds just to make this adventure.

YES it is true you or the children may get sick. At home or on vacation.
You DEAL WITH IT as necessary.

Other stuff can happen too. YOU DEAL WITH IT. Something a mother is used to doing.

Btw, I got really cheap flights this time around. You are already going so what is the real question?

Just make it work. Jet lag happens, its rough on the kids. But do your own research… The only advice I can give is, the cheapest flight is not the best flight, never book through a agency or travel website only ever book from the airline, never take any "deals" that involve multiple 1 way flights on various airlines either. If its going to take you 24 hours to fly to Europe, you probably have better options.

Everybody will end up being awake for 24 hours. IF they are awake, you should be awake too to deal with them so others don't have to. You shouldn't sleep if they aren't sleeping, and you shouldn't sleep in the terminal at all unless you absolutely have to.
Its going to be a very hard trip. You know this. What else do you want us to say?

Go for it.