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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU we leave on holiday tomorrow morning and …

331 replies

Sundaybananas · 01/07/2025 19:43

We leave on holiday tomorrow morning, and I’m the only one packed. DH and two older teens have done nothing. They barely seem to have registered that we are going tomorrow.

AIBU to just leave them to it, and if that means they have nothing but what they are standing up in then maybe they will learn for next time?

(so as not to drip feed, it’s a U.K. self catering holiday but we have to leave at 8am tomorrow, and the location is remote. There will be a small supermarket but no clothes shops.)

OP posts:
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Jujujudo · 09/07/2025 09:56

Tiredandtiredagain · 02/07/2025 10:04

How ridiculous!

Are you going to do this for evermore?

Thereby always suffering the stress.

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You’re right of course. But at least I know we all have what we need so less stress there.

Modsareon · 05/07/2025 08:29

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ThisIsMyYearToFindMyself · 05/07/2025 08:17

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Doesn’t sound like OP ‘brought up an argument’ though.

I waited until we were sat nicely relaxed on the ferry before showing DH the texts. To give him his due, he was very embarrassed and apologetic.

Modsareon · 05/07/2025 08:15

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ThisIsMyYearToFindMyself · 05/07/2025 06:53

Thebear83 · 05/07/2025 06:45

The OP excitedly waited until they were on the ferry heading off on holiday before reaching for her phone and bringing up the argument with her husband again. Showing him the messages to prove to him.

What a lovely happy start to the holiday.

Well not really, I think she waited until no one was driving, and they were on the ferry ie after that they could drive at whatever speed they wanted as there were no more timing issues.

Thebear83 · 05/07/2025 06:45

The OP excitedly waited until they were on the ferry heading off on holiday before reaching for her phone and bringing up the argument with her husband again. Showing him the messages to prove to him.

What a lovely happy start to the holiday.

DiscoBob · 04/07/2025 16:15

Sharptonguedwoman · 04/07/2025 13:14

One of the islands, maybe. Hebrides etc.

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Gosh yeah. In that case my bikini top and booty shorts suggestion may not be ideal. 🤣

Biffies · 04/07/2025 15:55

That's the weakness in your strategy. You are driving. It just means lots of stress and a late start. Guarantee that within half an hour one will be famished and the other will need a wee.

Wadadli · 04/07/2025 13:52

BitOutOfPractice · 03/07/2025 09:16

Phew! I thought when you said you only had your handbag that you’d omitted them. Oh I absolutely love a sample size for the plane. I can see you and I are cut from the same packing cloth!

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I realised some years ago that I’m m early for all appointments and travel because my dad was hyperpunctual, and late for him was being ready for a day out at the exact time he would have told us the night before. It was less anxiety inducing to have clothes ready & bag packed the night before than doing it all on waking.

worstofbothworlds · 04/07/2025 13:44

Could be Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Northern Ireland (or indeed anywhere in the RoUK if that's where they live), Scilly Isles, Lundy...

Sharptonguedwoman · 04/07/2025 13:14

DiscoBob · 04/07/2025 13:01

Hmm...a ferry? Maybe not Scotland? Haha. I'm trying to think now...Either way I hope that it's not wellies and waterproof weather for them! X

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One of the islands, maybe. Hebrides etc.

DiscoBob · 04/07/2025 13:01

Sharptonguedwoman · 04/07/2025 12:56

I think it can be. Hopefully not, this summer. It was a UK holiday and they mentioned a ferry.

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Hmm...a ferry? Maybe not Scotland? Haha. I'm trying to think now...Either way I hope that it's not wellies and waterproof weather for them! X

Sharptonguedwoman · 04/07/2025 12:56

DiscoBob · 04/07/2025 12:52

There was me hoping they're going to some sunny villa in Spain or something. 🤣

I hope it's not going to be that wet in Scotland in summer? But I've not been except Edinburgh once as a kid.

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I think it can be. Hopefully not, this summer. It was a UK holiday and they mentioned a ferry.

DiscoBob · 04/07/2025 12:52

Sharptonguedwoman · 04/07/2025 12:03

And expensive and time consuming to put right. If one child has no coat of boots it’s a major pain.

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There was me hoping they're going to some sunny villa in Spain or something. 🤣

I hope it's not going to be that wet in Scotland in summer? But I've not been except Edinburgh once as a kid.

Sharptonguedwoman · 04/07/2025 12:03

DiscoBob · 04/07/2025 12:01

Fair play. But either they have that stuff or they don't. If they don't then it's too late!

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And expensive and time consuming to put right. If one child has no coat of boots it’s a major pain.

DiscoBob · 04/07/2025 12:01

Sharptonguedwoman · 04/07/2025 07:05

I was thinking about waterproofs and boots really. Scotland can be tricky if you don't have those.

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Fair play. But either they have that stuff or they don't. If they don't then it's too late!

sueelleker · 04/07/2025 08:27

Sharptonguedwoman · 04/07/2025 07:05

I was thinking about waterproofs and boots really. Scotland can be tricky if you don't have those.

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I agree. We were camping in the Lake District once. Our usual trips were to Cornwall. We got to our campsite, and they'd already had 2 weeks of rain-it didn't stop, and we had to buy waterproofs and wellies.

Sharptonguedwoman · 04/07/2025 07:05

DiscoBob · 03/07/2025 21:10

But why? If there's a washing machine? and if it's remote they won't be going anywhere fancy each night. What's wrong with a couple t shirts and shorts/bikini tops?

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I was thinking about waterproofs and boots really. Scotland can be tricky if you don't have those.

DiscoBob · 03/07/2025 22:53

CyberStrider · 03/07/2025 21:41

Have you ever been on holiday in the UK?

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Yes. The point I'm making is if there's a washing machine they don't need much stuff.

CyberStrider · 03/07/2025 21:41

DiscoBob · 03/07/2025 21:10

But why? If there's a washing machine? and if it's remote they won't be going anywhere fancy each night. What's wrong with a couple t shirts and shorts/bikini tops?

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Have you ever been on holiday in the UK?

DressOrSkirt · 03/07/2025 21:23

Sundaybananas · 03/07/2025 01:29

Yes, we made it! 🕶

Phone signal terrible so sorry for the lack of update.

I waited until we were sat nicely relaxed on the ferry before showing DH the texts. To give him his due, he was very embarrassed and apologetic.

I’ve also learned something interesting from the thread.

To some people “packing” literally means just the act of placing things in the suitcase. These people are incredulous that it takes others more than 10 minutes.

To others (myself included) “packing” includes sourcing the items to take, washing them, possibly buying them, and other general “getting ready” tasks (like emptying the bins). I LOVED the anecdote about the husband who was “ready to pack now” provided his wife provided the things to be packed 😂

Sourcing the items to take? They're all in my wardrobe/bathroom.

It's fine that some people want new bits and to plan their outfits, but it's also fine to just throw an appropriate amount of clothes in a suitcase.

It's not fine to expect other people to use the same process as you.

DiscoBob · 03/07/2025 21:10

Sharptonguedwoman · 03/07/2025 19:33

Well it was a self catering remote cottage, so it will matter.

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But why? If there's a washing machine? and if it's remote they won't be going anywhere fancy each night. What's wrong with a couple t shirts and shorts/bikini tops?

Sharptonguedwoman · 03/07/2025 19:33

DiscoBob · 03/07/2025 01:14

If it's somewhere hot with a washing machine they need minimal clothing.

In self catering I often just pack a couple bikinis maybe a swimsuit one piece, couple shorts and vests and thats it. Maybe one kaftan or dress but I don't even bother with undies in hot countries if I'm only there a week. Just wear bikini with vest and shorts over it!

So you'd think it won't take them long to pack. Hopefully they've done it now. Don't let it bother you too much. They know the score and it's tough if they brought the wrong stuff.

Well it was a self catering remote cottage, so it will matter.

G5000 · 03/07/2025 16:19

I have my work trip suitcase always semi-prepared - chargers and adapters, mini-toiletries, gym clothes. Otherwise depends where and when, but those are staples.

worstofbothworlds · 03/07/2025 15:46

I used to work with someone who had everything except some clothes packed all the time - he kept it in his office and it had his passport, a book, a jar of marmite, some shoes and some chinos, and I think a laptop charger - and in the same job I lived for a couple of years in a developing country, about 2 hours' drive from the capital, I kept an overnight bag packed all the time (pyjamas, toiletries, spare t-shirt, book) because we often got a phone call saying "come to this meeting this morning" and we wouldn't know till we got there if we would have to stay overnight.

Because I travel much less frequently now, it has become more of a palaver.

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