Panicking about holiday packing

[Marthadartha]

I'm alternating between crying hyperventilating over packing for our holiday which is early Sunday. I know it's an overreaction and I just need to stop and get on with it but I'm really struggling and need talking down. I have a list and I've done all the washing. There's a few last minute bits to pick up in town but need to take the kids after school to do that. Please can anyone offer words of wisdom.

[Maddy70]

If you forget something you can buy it there why are you stressing so much?

[Marthadartha]

Probably because there was a lot of tension with my parents before holidays and I've never been to another country before and this will be the first time taking my 10 and 4 year old. It's the unknown about the whole trip rather than just forgetting something.

[Gingergirl70]

So it's not a thread asking for packing tips then?

[Mutabiliss]

If you have a list and everything is washed, what's the problem? It just needs putting into the suitcases now, which doesn't take long.

I honestly don't understand the fuss people make about packing.

[NBLarsen]

"I honestly don't understand the fuss people make about packing."

Always someone who jumps onto a thread with a completely useless comment

[Peridot1]

Sit down with a cuppa and make lists. One for each person with what you need to pack for them.

get the suitcases out and figure out which bags you are using for each person. (It’s a good idea to actually put things for everyone in each bag in case a bag goes missing.)

Packing cubes are fab. If you have amazon prime you could get some delivered tomorrow. Get a couple of sets and pack separate ones per person. Then you can mix them around the cases but you will know what is where.

Get the important essentials together in one place. Passports, tickets (print off your flight details etc). Any necessary medications.

[AintNobodyGonnaStopMyShine]

@Gingergirl70

So it's not a thread asking for packing tips then?

Please be kinder.

[Peridot1]

@Mutabiliss

If you have a list and everything is washed, what's the problem? It just needs putting into the suitcases now, which doesn't take long.

I honestly don't understand the fuss people make about packing.

Well for some people travelling is stressful. Travelling alone with children for the first time can be stressful. Well done you if it’s not but if you have nothing nice or helpful,to say………..

[BarbaraofSeville]

Lists are your friend. Google for ideas and make your own based on what you think you'll need. Refine your lists over time and after a few trips, it will be a breeze.

As long as you don't forget your passport, other essential documents, medication etc and means of paying for things, nothing else is such a huge deal so relax

Have a great trip. Where are you going?

[NBLarsen]

@Marthadartha You obviously have something stored in your mind from the holidays with your parents. Just take a moment this morning, set yourself five minutes and sit quietly, slow deep breaths. Close your eyes, visualise your family on this holiday, your kids playing, you all sitting for a meal together, everyone is enjoying themselves. Then for the rest of the day try to hold that picture in your mind while you go around doing your jobs and errands.

You have a list, you know what to buy and what to take. Sometimes when you have a previous stress it's difficult just to get started even though you know the task is easy. Do something simple, such as get the suitcases out, unzip them, wipe them down with a cloth perhaps if they are dusty. That's a first step. Then you can go on from there.

[OldTinHat]

As a PP said, lists are your friend here. I'm going away early Monday and have only just pinned my washing on the line, so you're already well ahead of me!

Make sure you have your tickets, passports, etc. Give yourself plenty of time on Sunday to pack the last bits like toiletries and double check your lists are all ticked off.

Finally, and most importantly, enjoy your holiday!!

[BarbaraofSeville]

I find it's always helpful to mentally run through the journey and holiday so I know I have everything I need. Also look on the airport website and that of the tour operator, hotel etc as there will be useful info about what to expect.

[Alongtimelonely]

Hi OP. I’m going to talk you down with an anecdote as it was a life-changing holiday!

Many years ago we went on a vacation to Spain for two weeks with my little girl and in-laws. Going through the shiny new Heathrow T5 terminal, I assumed that it would be fine. Certainly at check in all was normal BUT literally beneath us, it was all going wrong: the underground baggage handling software had crashed and NO baggage was being load on planes.

To avoid mass panic the airport decided it was best not to tell ANYONE until our plane was coming in for landing at Madrid.

We arrived at 10pm with literally no clothes, no suncream, none of my daughter’s eczema cream and special shower creams, no car seat. Nothing.

We bought some stuff at Primark and a local supermarket next day. Found a local pharmacy. And had a wonderful holiday in our cheap poorly fitting temporary clothes! Our luggage arrived on day 10 of our trip too late to be much use!

I realised subsequent to this holiday I have been FAR too worried about what I packed in the past. Now we just wing it a lot more - AND I make sure we have medications, a spare set of clothes, Sunhats and sunglasses, and swimming costumes, sandals and phone chargers etc in the hand luggage.

You will have a GREAT holiday, even if you’ve forgotten something. The responsibility of being a mum on vacation often means you don’t feel quite as relaxed but it shouldn’t spoil your fun.

[thaegumathteth]

Can you go buy last things without DC? If so I'd do that then come home and get it all done before pick up.

Break it down.

To do

• put washing in suitcases
  
• buy last minute things
  
• check documentation
  
• pack anything else essential eg medicine and make a note on your phone if anything that can't be packed until last second (eg comfort teddy or whatever)
  
  So really - hardly anything.

[OooohKeepYourKnickersOn]

Packing is stressful but you have a lovely list, you have it all undercontrol @Marthadartha
Where are you travelling to? Think about the bigger picture, your children must be excited

[Maddy70]

If you are heading abroad you will need less clothes than you think. As the kids will be in swimwear most of the day Don't forget a jacket for cooler nights

[notenoughtogoround]

Things you might have forgotten - adaptors, travel wash, sun hats, after sun, chargers, calpol, games, spare batteries for iPads/phones, sunglasses, e111/travel insurance, goggles, armbands or flotation devices for the younger DC, beach bag, books. I always take a little make up bag with plasters, scissors, calpol sachets, tampons, wipes, lip balm and other bits and bobs.
Enjoy your holiday!

[Gingergirl70]

@AintNobodyGonnaStopMyShine

Please be kinder.

Please don't come at me and accuse me of being unkind. It's a simple fact that this is not simply just about packing. OP has made it clear she's panicking about the packing as well as, or because of, other factors.

Why aren't you having a go at the 'I dont know why people make a fuss' comment?

[ComputerInitiateJump]

I get it, op. Your parents made travelling feel like a stressful situation you and that is hard to shake off. Maybe you're worried about passing those feelings onto your own dc. By using the many lists and packing tips in this thread and the multitude of other threads on the subject, you will find it doesn't have to be a stressful time.

There is often that last minute something that has been forgotten but take a deep breath and remember you can buy things at the airport/ferry port or or when you arrive at your destination. I don't think I've ever been in departures and not had to head straight to Boots for toothbrushes or deodorant or whatever.

You have plenty of time. Lay out the suitcases and get going. Once a few bits are packed you will feel better. The dc can help by packing their own bag for the plane then you just need to do a quick check that they haven't packed any liquids or sharps. Get them to pack a snack each and a spare outfit for travel. Hopefully their excitement at helping will make you feel better! You could get the older one to help by checking you've packed everything on the list.

Essentials are passports and meds so get those together first and go from there!

[PinkFootstool]

Rationalise it. As long as you have your passports, travel insurance booked, tickets and access to money (credit card, debit card, cash, whatever) you'll be fine! And I'd pack swimsuits in hand luggage so if anything goes AWOL, you can still get in the pool!

Every country has the basics so you can buy things if you forget them. That's the main things covered.

I'm terms of not knowing what to expect, I assume you know the details of the hotel or wherever you're heading. Work out where the first meal will come from - AI or HB buffet, supermarket 1/2 mile down the road, cafe round the corner.

Then breathe! You'll have a great time I'm sure.

[Roundaboot]

Strongly agree with lists here! I keep a couple (one for sumner holidays, one for camping) on my laptop so I can easily update and tick off when I use them. It means I don't have to remember everything every time - the work's already done.
I also make myself a list of things to do last minute before we go, like checking the back door is locked, remembering to pack things like water bottles.

And I read a great tip on here about taking photos of things like the oven or hair straighteners being turned off, or doors locked so when you have that horrible panic on the way to the airport you can just check your phone and you know you've done it!

This last bit before a holiday is always quite stressful, IME. Be kind to yourself and have a great trip!

[Iliketulips]

If you need to buy things for each DC (ie they can't be left at home) perhaps start with DC10 and half way through send DC14 off to start looking at whatever they need. Ask both you're DC to get a few of their things out tonight and you can add to whatever tomorrow.

I tend to pack on and off all week as I enjoy it, but my DD can pack her own case in 30 mins. It doesn't actually take that long. Either way, if you're finding it a bit much, maybe start tonight and that'll make you feel better.

[RenoDakota]

Hi OP. I get it.
There was a thread on here just recently about strange things that trigger anxiety and this popped up a lot.
You are not alone!
I have just come back from holiday and all I can offer is to make lists, take less than you think you will need and it really doesn't matter if you forget something.
All the best to you.

[Marthadartha]

Thank you for the gentle replies, I've managed to get started and have packed nearly all of dc clothes (bar the last minute load of pants drying on the line, which I can add to the case this eve). I'm getting on with my stuff now, dh has done half his clothes yesterday but it working most of day so can't do more until later. I'm feeling much calmer now and I know part of it is from old feelings. It's hard relearning stuff and I'm sure I don't always get things right for DC either!

[Marthadartha]

@Alongtimelonely

Hi OP. I’m going to talk you down with an anecdote as it was a life-changing holiday!

Many years ago we went on a vacation to Spain for two weeks with my little girl and in-laws. Going through the shiny new Heathrow T5 terminal, I assumed that it would be fine. Certainly at check in all was normal BUT literally beneath us, it was all going wrong: the underground baggage handling software had crashed and NO baggage was being load on planes.

To avoid mass panic the airport decided it was best not to tell ANYONE until our plane was coming in for landing at Madrid.

We arrived at 10pm with literally no clothes, no suncream, none of my daughter’s eczema cream and special shower creams, no car seat. Nothing.

We bought some stuff at Primark and a local supermarket next day. Found a local pharmacy. And had a wonderful holiday in our cheap poorly fitting temporary clothes! Our luggage arrived on day 10 of our trip too late to be much use!

I realised subsequent to this holiday I have been FAR too worried about what I packed in the past. Now we just wing it a lot more - AND I make sure we have medications, a spare set of clothes, Sunhats and sunglasses, and swimming costumes, sandals and phone chargers etc in the hand luggage.

You will have a GREAT holiday, even if you’ve forgotten something. The responsibility of being a mum on vacation often means you don’t feel quite as relaxed but it shouldn’t spoil your fun.

This story really helps, I'm an over packer Alongtimelonely but it has been less of a problem when not going overseas and not having a more flexible leaving time. I will keep this in mind!