Holiday packing list - please help - ADHD overwhelm

[Neiiighbour234]

Can you please help me put together a packing list of a family of four ((me, DH, DD11 and DD7) for a sunshine holiday? I have adhd and have complete paralysis and overwhelm right now.

I actually think I have most things and have pulled together a list of sorts, but have a lot going on right now and am just feeling overwhelmed and about to cry.

Myself and DC are staying with family for a few days first (in the UK) and then my DH is joining us to fly on holiday to Tenerife. I think I am overthinking the packing for the UK stay separately from the holiday part.

DC have their own cabin wheelie case and I am bringing to medium cases to check in, as well as cabin bags for DH and I (though am hoping to keep those reasonably light).

Forgot to say, we are in Tenerife for 11 nights.

I mean can DH not do his and help with the children's? Will you have the chance to wash stuff with family before you off abroad?

DH is also neuro divergent (undiagnosed), but he is worse than me!

Kids stuff is clean and folded, it's literally making a list of how much and what to bring. I am struggling to visualise how much of everything we need.

I am usually a reasonably capable person (diagnosed with moderate ADHD last year), but for some reason packing for holidays always overwhelms me.

I even have previous lists that I have used, but as the kids have got older and their needs have changed, I need to edit those lists and right now it feels beyond me. We are travelling in a week's time, so I do have time, but right now it feels beyond me.

I have an appt for a breast clinic on Monday due to something found on a mammogram that they want to investigate, and while it is only an M3 finding (where M1 is nothing to worry about and M5 is most likely cancer), I am also scared and stressed about that, which isn't helping my brain be orderly and methodical.😔

We use an app for our packing lists (ToDoIst) it means they're saved and re-usable so I only have to think really hard once to get everything on it.

Do you have laundry facilities in tenerife, if so consider packing laundry detergent and clothes that are easy to wash/dry. I would consider packing one holiday case with a little of everything in so you only have to use that one at the UK family visit. Leave everything else untouched.

I find you need less clothes than you think you do and I always start with the essentials. Get them in the case first, then you know how much room you have for extras. I wouldn't pack different stuff for the UK trip, but can you wash clothes before your flight? Or layer clothing in the UK (sundress with cardigan/leggings) and then you have same sundress for tenerife?

Will look at ToDoIst - thank you. One case for England first is sensible. We will be able to do a wash before we go I think, so that will help.

You need three times tops to bottoms. 2 pairs of pants pppd 1 jumper or shawl for evenings flipflops trainers sandals. I buy toiletries when I get there so they don't spill in the case. Sun hat 2 sets of swimwear swim shoes if going in the sea. We have good quality scuba masks but you can buy cheap when you get there if just for pootling about. That's it. split loads in cases in case you bags get lost. Kindle sunglasses

Per person
12 tops
6 bottoms
12 pants
12 socks
Swimming costume
Beach towel
Sunhat
Sunglasses
Sandals
Trainers (ideally wear these to travel rather than pack them)

Wash bag with:
Wash cloth
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Conditioner
Sun cream
Hairbrush
Other bits you like to use? Cleanser, Moisturiser ect?
Enough prescription medication for your stay

If you have access to laundry facilities in tennerife halve the clothes list above.

Pack an entirely separate bag for uk and leave in the car. Don't stress yourself out by needing to do laundry before you fly.

Thanks everyone, that's so helpful.

Remember a first aid kit -
calpol,
ibuprofen,
allergy tablets/piritin
diahorrea tablets
indigestion tablets
plasters
salon spray & cream
Etc

I get the cases open and do one at at time with a written by hand list to check off.
So underwear ... All in check.
Swimsuits - all in check.
T-shirts DD has 7, I have 5 - check.
Bottoms.. DD has... I have... Check.

So that will the cases done.

With regard to washbags, has the law changed around the liquid allowed to take?

If not, I'm plastic bag for each - usually DDs bag makeup...
Mascara - check
Eye liner check
etc

My plastic back
Deodorant - check
Small suncream (buy when there) - check

Hand luggage and things you will need to remove at airport
Hairdryer, hair straighteners etc
Tablets, phones and laptops if possible put all into one hand luggage.

I have ADHD and I can only work with and hand written list. I'll to it as I go along..
for instance - towels!

Passports in this bag with the phone that has the tickets...

Then when it's all done as long as we have passports and tickets, I go into sod it mode, if we need it, we'll get it when we get there!

Have a wonderful holiday ❤️

Don't overthink this. You are going to Tenerife, not Outer Mongolia, and you can buy anything you forgot. The only thing that might be trickier to buy is preferred makes of shoes/sandals/trainers, but if you all wear trainers to travel, plus a light hoody or cardigan or denim jacket, you'll be fine. You don't need fresh clothes for every day because you'll be in swimming costumes for most of the time.
All of you will need shorts & tshirts, or dresses if you prefer. Something light to cover up in case of sunburn.
I would take insect spray just in case I couldn't buy it there, and maybe a travel plug or 2 . Suncream and everything else you can buy when you get there.
Have fun, and get the DC involved in their own packing.

@WhereTheSuburbsMeetUttoxeter thank you - yes, I need lists and to check off when stuff is packed - as i forget 🙄

@DelphiniumBlue - will definitely get the kids involved - they need to learn this stuff! And yes, I am totally overthinking it!!

Thank you both, I do feel better

Enjoy your holiday. Remember that you'll be able to buy things in tenerife if you forget stuff. It's often not a big issue.

Just one more mention of the ToDoIst app we use. My husband and teen are on it too, so we have shared packing lists that they can also manage. It means my daughter is in control of her list, what's on it and packing, but I can see it too and check she's not forgotten anything. She's dyslexic so can struggle a bit with tasks. It does mean that if we forget something on one trip, we just add it on ready for next time. Our lists are well honed now

just as a list checking tip.

I find that ticking the items off as i gather them, then crossing out as i physically pack works best for my adhd brain :)

Make lists on your phone.

Add to the list whenever you think if something.

Have suitcases open somewhere and throw things in their direction when you remember.

These two will come together and you'll have most of it by departure.

Anything you've missed is usually easy to purchase on holiday (I promise as i'm adhd)

It's wing and a prayer packing with the highland fling to finish!

My list for 2 weeks in Tenerife is
Me:
bikini x3
pants x 14
shorts x 3
tops x 8(2 are dressier for evenings)
7 dresses (2 dressier for evenings)
1pair loose floaty trousers
pyjamas
sandals x2 flip flops x1

Dd
swimming costume x3
pants x 14
shorts x 5
tops x 7
dresses x7
couple of pairs of socks
pyjamas
sandals, sliders, trainers

Ds
swimming costume x3
pants x14
shorts x9 (7 for day, 2 for evenings)
T-shirts x 14
shirts x2
couple of pairs of socks
pyjamas
sandals, crocs, trainers

dp will pack his own but he usually takes
swimming shorts x3
pants x 14
shorts x 5
tshirts/vests x7
shirts x 3
socks
flip flops, trainers

older ds will also pack his own

beach towels and hats for everyone , suncream (ds has allergies so need specific one) bar of ds friendly soap, shampoo, ds’ creams, ds’ allergy meds, calpol and paracetamol, antiperspirant, contact lens stuff, lip balm, hair brush, razor and blades, toothbrushes and paste, make up, possibly straighteners… (a lot of this can be bought there if necessary but will try to take it)

We only have one case between us and a cabin bag of 40x20x25 each so I think I’ll need to cut the stuff down a bit more but that’s the starting point! It’s probably too much anyway but younger dc are likely to need changes and if I can get away without doing laundry there I will 😆

Oh yes and tablet/phones and chargers an extension lead and travel plug or two, thanks @DelphiniumBlue

You are all amazing - thank you!!

@inloveandmarried gets a special mention for "It's wing and a prayer packing with the highland fling to finish!" 😂 She's exactly right!

I always do

7 pants
7 tops
7 bottoms
2 swimsuits
1 pool sliders

for each person

then buy toiletries

We travel in the shoes we will be wearing on a evening

I like to keep it simple

That level of simple is what I aspire to @Quitelikeit 😁

I have different sections

So per person there are clothes, washbag stuff, swimming stuff, coats, books/magazines/games

Then there are other sections:

• do before hand (empty fridge, lock windows, book parking etc)
• documents (passports, travel insurance, accommodation details, drivers license)
• carry on flight (entertainment, snacks, paracetemol)
• last minute (if leaving first thing in the morning, often just washbag stuff)

We have a standard list on excel we print out every time, cross off anything unnecessary, and then add location specific extras if needed.

I make lists. Detailed lists and check off each item as they're packed.

Will you have access to a washing machine ?

I never pack more than a weeks worth of clothes per person regardless of length of stay. I count on doing a wash wherever I am, even at a laundrette.

So, for everyone:
Underwear X 7 each
Tops X 3 each
Shorts/ skirts X 2 each
Cardigan/ zipped sweatshirt X 1 each
Socks X 7 pairs each (mainly for UK)
Nobody needs fresh, clean clothes every day.

Sandals/ beach footwear x 1 each
Casual shoes/ trainers x 1 each
Swimsuit X 2 each

Do a wash at the end of your UK week.

For adults:
Dress, decent shirt, decent shorts/ chinos, belt X 1 each.

For a beach holiday:
Towels X 1 each

OTC medicines -
Aspirin/ paracetamol/ allergy/ imodium/ pepto bismol/ topical insect bite relief
Plasters
Germolene
Sunscreen

Toiletries -
Toothbrushes for all
Moisturiser for all who use it (follow regulations on size of container)

Makeup - your basics

Toothpaste - buy there
Shampoo/ conditioner - buy there

Laundry detergent (powder is easiest to travel with) and dryer sheets/ fabric softener.