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Original poster

I have do much to do 😭

39 replies

Youagain2025 · 08/06/2025 09:21

I have a full day at home today to get things done. I need to finish of packing. Me and the 2 younger kids are sorted but 14 year old is faffing so need to make sure she's got enough clothing to take.

I need to tidy/clean the house from top to bottom , hoover make sure everything is actually properly clean and not skipped i have about 5 loads of washing and drying putting away i need to do.

I need to buy mattress protectors and sort the beds out. For when dd /ds and co are here. Probably using my house as a night club.

Make sure all the kids have travel clothing sorted.

I need to find some sort of zipped hoodie or light weight jacket or what ever that has zipped pockets but I need it to have fast delivery that cost needs to be primark /super market type prices.

I have today. Tomorrow is an arse. I have some time on Tuesday. And that's it .

My head feels so busy 😭

OP posts:
Iamblossom · 08/06/2025 09:25

Don't clean.
14 year old can pack her own stuff or do without.

Springadorable · 08/06/2025 09:26

You have loads of time.
Packing - everyone finished except for 14 year old
Washing and drying - just keep loading the machines as and when they finish
Kids travel clothing - not even sure what this means. If they are packed they're packed. Just leave out a set of clothes to put on in the morning.
Zipped jacket or bumbag - Amazon will sort that
Cleaning - buzz the hoover around and then wipe surfaces and put bins out before you go.

Done.

DelphiniumBlue · 08/06/2025 09:30

Where are you going? Is it a holiday?
Anyway, work out the priorities - if you've got older DS and DD staying while you're away, I wouldn't bother cleaning thoroughly, they won't notice and will probably make a mess.
Not even going to ask why you need to buy mattress protectors! By "sort out the beds" do you mean re-make them for the older ones to stay? You don't have to do that, just leave the clean bedding on the beds and they can change the sheets if they want to.
14 year old can pack themselves especially if you've given them a list. If they leave something out, tough, they'll be more careful next time.
You can get your hoody/jacket from Amazon if you need quick delivery and you can't get to a shop.
Hope you have a good time.

LittleBearPad · 08/06/2025 09:31

Why do you need to clean the house from top to bottom??

MightAsWellBeGretel · 08/06/2025 09:33

You don't need to do all of this. Don't be a martyr.

ScottBakula · 08/06/2025 09:38

You don't need to clean the house from top to bottom , dust will not grow into a giant monster if you leave it.
14 Yr old needs to learn responsibility, get her ti pack her own clothes and tidy her room and help with the washing .
Why do you need mattress protectors while your away ? Is someone else going to be using your bed ? If so fair enough, if not don't bother.
Amazon can sort out them and a hoodie , if you don't have amazon prime ask a friend /family/ nighbour if they can order it for you so you get it quicker.

LittleBearPad · 08/06/2025 09:46

The 14 year old can sort their clothes, then you can do quality control if it makes you happier about making sure she has everything she needs.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 08/06/2025 09:47
  1. Put on a load of washing - whatever takes longest to dry
  2. Order the hoody and mattress protectors - is there really nothing at home that you could make do with?
  3. Start putting clean dry stuff away. Tidy one room at a time between filling and emptying washing machine
  4. Leave the cleaning until Tuesday.
Original poster
Youagain2025 · 08/06/2025 09:48

Iamblossom · 08/06/2025 09:25

Don't clean.
14 year old can pack her own stuff or do without.

She has a tiny suitcase. So it has to be done in the right way . We/She has never been abroad before and she might not think properly. And then if she does mess up the stress reflects onto me on holiday and I'm not willing for that.

OP posts:
Unicornsandprincesses · 08/06/2025 09:51

Youagain2025 · 08/06/2025 09:48

She has a tiny suitcase. So it has to be done in the right way . We/She has never been abroad before and she might not think properly. And then if she does mess up the stress reflects onto me on holiday and I'm not willing for that.

Show quote history

Give her a list. Tell her how many outfits she needs, what extra she needs and to lay them all out on her bed/floor. Pants, socks, toiletries, accessories etc. Give her an hour to do it.

then spend an hour cleaning other rooms, once the 60 mins is up, “audit” her choices and pack it for her so it fits in the case.

loropianalover · 08/06/2025 09:52

If you have an older DD and DS staying home they will be doing the cleaning surely? Why would act like a skivvy for them and their friends to drink in your living room?

Original poster
Youagain2025 · 08/06/2025 09:57

DelphiniumBlue · 08/06/2025 09:30

Where are you going? Is it a holiday?
Anyway, work out the priorities - if you've got older DS and DD staying while you're away, I wouldn't bother cleaning thoroughly, they won't notice and will probably make a mess.
Not even going to ask why you need to buy mattress protectors! By "sort out the beds" do you mean re-make them for the older ones to stay? You don't have to do that, just leave the clean bedding on the beds and they can change the sheets if they want to.
14 year old can pack themselves especially if you've given them a list. If they leave something out, tough, they'll be more careful next time.
You can get your hoody/jacket from Amazon if you need quick delivery and you can't get to a shop.
Hope you have a good time.

The matress protects are because adult dd will be bringing her 2 children 1 is 2 years old and he does things like leak through the nappy/pull up. Pull it off and my mattress will end up ruined. Then 7 year old ds has autism and wees the bed.

Ds will probably bring his girl friend and I dont want him to feel embarrassed.

I'm going to look on amazon it's more about bring able to get pockets with zips

OP posts:
Original poster
Youagain2025 · 08/06/2025 10:01

LittleBearPad · 08/06/2025 09:31

Why do you need to clean the house from top to bottom??

Because i don't want my kids to feel embarrassed of thry have people over. And because I want to feel better that I have left the house clean and hopefully come bsck to a clean house and feel good about it rather than leaving it a shithole and coming back to a shithole. I mean it's not a massune shithole if I got stuck in i could get it done . I just feel super tired.

OP posts:
loropianalover · 08/06/2025 10:03

Youagain2025 · 08/06/2025 10:01

Because i don't want my kids to feel embarrassed of thry have people over. And because I want to feel better that I have left the house clean and hopefully come bsck to a clean house and feel good about it rather than leaving it a shithole and coming back to a shithole. I mean it's not a massune shithole if I got stuck in i could get it done . I just feel super tired.

Show quote history

If your kids feel embarrassed then they can clean before they invite people round?

Why can’t the older kids and DD (14) start the cleaning now while you wash and pack?

Original poster
Youagain2025 · 08/06/2025 10:11

loropianalover · 08/06/2025 10:03

If your kids feel embarrassed then they can clean before they invite people round?

Why can’t the older kids and DD (14) start the cleaning now while you wash and pack?

Show quote history

I am going to get the kids to help me. I think it just feels worse than it is.

OP posts:
Olderbeforemytime · 08/06/2025 10:21

If they’re old enough to stay at home themsleves then they’re old enough to run round with a hoover.

Put on a load of washing
Order matress protector for click and collect from argos
Write a packing list with 14 year old

Which beds need changing? Why do they need changing? If it’s just so you have cleaning bedding when you come back then sack it off. If it’s for these teenage guests who are going to treat your house like a night club then strip the beds and leave them the cleaning bedding to put on.

Run around the house with a box downstairs and one upstairs to put in random item.

Check on 14 year old and make sure they don’t need anything else.

Collect matress protector and buy hoodie.

Sorted

Mikart · 08/06/2025 10:24

Stop being a martyr

Original poster
Youagain2025 · 08/06/2025 10:25

Olderbeforemytime · 08/06/2025 10:21

If they’re old enough to stay at home themsleves then they’re old enough to run round with a hoover.

Put on a load of washing
Order matress protector for click and collect from argos
Write a packing list with 14 year old

Which beds need changing? Why do they need changing? If it’s just so you have cleaning bedding when you come back then sack it off. If it’s for these teenage guests who are going to treat your house like a night club then strip the beds and leave them the cleaning bedding to put on.

Run around the house with a box downstairs and one upstairs to put in random item.

Check on 14 year old and make sure they don’t need anything else.

Collect matress protector and buy hoodie.

Sorted

It sounds simple but its not. Not in my house anyway. In normal houses yes. But not mine. Its hard to explain

OP posts:
Pancakeorcrepe · 08/06/2025 12:31

These threads kill me because it is the result of children/ teens/ young adults not having been taught how to contribute to the running of a household. No doubt OP will have lots of excuses as to why her 14 year old cannot pack their own bag or contribute by doing some of the cleaning and putting the wash on. This all stems from the fact OP is a martyr and needs to feel needed and as if the household will crumble without her. OP you are not doing yourself or your children any favours. No wonder you are tired, running the whole show by yourself.

uncomfortablydumb60 · 08/06/2025 12:37

Aww It's always stressful packing for kids but really it's not the end of the world if they forget anything.
You can have a wander around the markets for the odd bit of clothing or toiletries.
Cleaning can wait, or could your DD come in if she has a key?
Any animals need feeding and walking?
Wash and dry( if possible) what you actually need to take.
Not the end of the world if you shove a damp T shirt in a plastic bag and dry in the sun when you get there.
Most importantly, have a wonderful holiday, you so deserve it.

uncomfortablydumb60 · 08/06/2025 12:39

Pancakeorcrepe · 08/06/2025 12:31

These threads kill me because it is the result of children/ teens/ young adults not having been taught how to contribute to the running of a household. No doubt OP will have lots of excuses as to why her 14 year old cannot pack their own bag or contribute by doing some of the cleaning and putting the wash on. This all stems from the fact OP is a martyr and needs to feel needed and as if the household will crumble without her. OP you are not doing yourself or your children any favours. No wonder you are tired, running the whole show by yourself.

It's more complicated as OP has learning difficulties and her DS has ASD

Original poster
Youagain2025 · 08/06/2025 12:41

Pancakeorcrepe · 08/06/2025 12:31

These threads kill me because it is the result of children/ teens/ young adults not having been taught how to contribute to the running of a household. No doubt OP will have lots of excuses as to why her 14 year old cannot pack their own bag or contribute by doing some of the cleaning and putting the wash on. This all stems from the fact OP is a martyr and needs to feel needed and as if the household will crumble without her. OP you are not doing yourself or your children any favours. No wonder you are tired, running the whole show by yourself.

Things are not always as you think.

OP posts:
loropianalover · 08/06/2025 12:45

Youagain2025 · 08/06/2025 12:41

Things are not always as you think.

Show quote history

Why are you acting like a random quote generator on here if you’re so busy! 🤣 between you and kids cleaning should be well done by now and finishing up packing/getting last of the washing done. Have you got your mattress protectors and hoodies?

Original poster
Youagain2025 · 08/06/2025 12:51

uncomfortablydumb60 · 08/06/2025 12:37

Aww It's always stressful packing for kids but really it's not the end of the world if they forget anything.
You can have a wander around the markets for the odd bit of clothing or toiletries.
Cleaning can wait, or could your DD come in if she has a key?
Any animals need feeding and walking?
Wash and dry( if possible) what you actually need to take.
Not the end of the world if you shove a damp T shirt in a plastic bag and dry in the sun when you get there.
Most importantly, have a wonderful holiday, you so deserve it.

Yeah logically I know I'm just being silly . But im my head i want to know I have done everything abd it woukd just be nice to know i left the house tidy when I left partly for the older kids but mainly for me.it woukd just be nice knowing I left it in a good state.

I'm quite sure dd and ds will clean up a bit as well. They both have keys they will be staying here either in turn or together I'm not sure how they are doing it as long as someone is here

OP posts:
Uphighseesky · 08/06/2025 12:51

@Youagain2025 I was on or have read your other holiday threads. Hope you managed to watch the airport familiarisation videos with your son, or are planning to.

If it's your kids' first time on a plane then it might also be worthwhile to talk to them about what to expect onboard. I'm thinking more of your son with ASD.

Like

  • the tiny toilets that flush extremely loudly
  • the roar of the engines on takeoff and landing (largely depends on where in the plane you're sitting).
  • keeping your seatbelt on when required (whole flight basically)
  • cramped seats
  • rules for takeoff like tray tables and window blinds up
  • loud announcements regularly