AIBU we leave on holiday tomorrow morning and …

My 9 year old is going on a residential and started packing 3 weeks ago and did a pretty good job. Only needed to really add in an extra pair of socks and some bug spray. There is no reason why young adults and her husband need her to stand over them and nag. They’re perfectly capable they just can’t be arsed so why should she have to spend her time sorting them out. Her husband in particular has been particularly useless.

No I come back rested, relaxed to a sparkling house and very organised life. Food in the fridge, ready to pick up my life again looking and feeling great 😎

Not being organised generally.

I can pack my stuff in 15 minutes. I know where all my clothes are kept, what toiletries we have in the house and where they are, where my travel bags will be, where the power packs and spare charge cables live etc.

I have a friend I went away with a couple of times who couldn’t pack quickly because she was constantly leaving stuff in random places. One time we were flying and I stayed at her house the night before. She had left her packing to morning we were leaving and at that point realise half of what she wanted to take wasn’t even clean, she’d run out of deodorant and she couldn’t remember where she last had her one phone charger plugged in. The taxi arrived and she was flapping about if her suitcase weighed too much and whether or not she put a particular pair of sandals in. I basically said I was getting in it and going and, as long as she had her passport, so should she because missing the flight would be a lot more expensive than excess luggage or buying new sandals. It was super stressful just to watch.

Most of us will recognise the default that mum is responsible for packing. There comes a point with older teens where you have to stop and let them stand on their own feet. Of course make sure they have passports and other things, but when it comes to clothes, toothbrushes etc. It has to be on them. Give them a warning then do… well absolutely nothing.

Spring clean house ready to return. Ok yes
Clean fridge and cupboards, fridge yes.
Pet delivery. No deal with same as every month
book shopping. No.
salon visit for hair. Run on regular service
Salon visit for wax, pedicure and manicure. No
Wash and iron everything. No
Security lights etc. security system in place all year
house checks???
water plants. Daily anyway.
buy new clothes if needed. Do whenever we need
match with jewellery eugh?
cosmetics bought if needed would happen regardless
trips, activities and restaurants booked. No
last calls to family. Is this a holiday or a last trip???
book food shopping for return. No
Double check schedule and hotels. No
passsport check and paperwork. No as it just lives in the safe / phone
car refuelled, washed and cleaned and ready. Yes
Meals planned for travelling days. No, take away
snacks and water for journey. Yes
washing completed. Do washing everyday anyway.

Your holiday list sounds like you need a holiday to recover from getting ready to holiday

I have to say your dh sounds like a complete PITA does is he usually this helpless and why is he blaming you for everything?

Anyway, fingers crossed you’re almost ready for off now so have a great holiday!

It HAS to be a joke. Wouldn’t make any sense to get mani pedi done at the same salon as a bikini wax. And she forgot about preparing the “welcome home” banner for their triumphant return.

Clean cupboards?? What fresh hell is this?

You are kidding, right?

There's no need for screaming, arguments, or drama if she brings headphones and/ or walks out of every room where screaming and arguments start up. Or just simply ignores the whining and complaining and feigns interest in some speck on the wall.

She doesn't have to put up with that shit. She needs to teach them that lesson too.

Don't remind them.
Pack your bag into the car at 7:55 and leave at 8.

They're waiting for mum to sort everything out. Teach them a lesson.

All this go on holiday without them or with the clothes they’re standing in sounds good on the internet but the reality is that you want a nice family holiday with no screaming or arguments or drama.

Go into their room with a suitcase and stand over them whilst they pack. Yeah it’s shit and you shouldn’t have to but if you don’t, it’s going to ruin the start of your holiday.

You have handled it really well OP. I will take a leaf out of your book next time I am travelling with DH!

Really? I think about my preparation and wonder how we are so different

Spring clean house ready to return
Clean fridge and cupboards
Pet delivery
book shopping
salon visit for hair
Salon visit for wax, pedicure and manicure
Wash and iron everything
Security lights etc
house checks
water plants
buy new clothes if needed
match with jewellery
cosmetics bought
trips, activities and restaurants booked
last calls to family
book food shopping for return
Double check schedule and hotels
passsport check and paperwork
car refuelled, washed and cleaned and ready
Meals planned for travelling days
snacks and water for journey
washing completed

How can this be done in a few hours?!

Ah just seen the recent update, good result op

🍷 🌇

17 and 28???

They don't need reminders,I thought you were gonna say 12/13

Safe travels OP!

I don't pack for my 15 and 12yo DC anymore. I check they have everything they need a week before we go, order anything missing and let them get on with it. They bring far too many clothes but there haven't been any disasters (yet).

Tell them if they have forgotten anything then they will have to but replacements WITH THEIR OWN MONEY. *which might not be easy if you're heading off to somewhere like a remote Scottish island.
It worked for my DS when he forgot to pack any underwear.

I use the same temate for all trips, but for some trips most of it is just crossed off.

Have evolved a similar system except that I have several different templates, depending on if it's a one or two night trip, a work one or a longer proper holiday. Tick things off. Sorted.

I hope you get away on time OP

Also, this is where owning a large number of the same coloured top (ie black) really pays off.

This. Your boys are basically ready and were previously operating from dh info. Therefore he is the problem.

Ditto. I’ve only ever packed the morning that I leave.

No salon visits, no new clothes, don’t own an iron. Life is too damn short.