I find going on holiday so stressful. It's worth it though, isn't it?

[Reality]

Off to Center Parcs tomorrow.

As usual Dh and I have utterly failed to forward plan so today has been a whirlwind of washing, dip dyeing DD's hair (dont ask, I was suckered), cleaning out the car, ferrying the DC to a party and back and generally stressing.

DH is even more laid back than me, so he's not stressing, which is stressing me out.

NOthing is packed yet, it's mostly still out on the line. I assume we have a suitcase in the loft, I havent' checked.

DD needs the purple bit pasting on in a minute. DS1 is supposed to be tidying his room. DS2 hasn't had any lunch and is all croupy and I have a headache.

FUN TIMES.

AIBU to just kick back for an hour now and hide on MN? They can pack their own stuff.

Might go and have a vodka and a fag. That'll help, right?

I find going on holiday with kids WAY more stressful and tiring than being at home (helpful)

Shall I be the first to ask...what is your dh doing ?

I find holidays stressful too btw. This will be me in 2 weeks time.

It's only a holiday if everyone gets a break. That includes you.

I never stress over packing. I make a list of whats needed then pack according to it.
Havent forgotten anything essential yet.
Not going away this year so Im jealous

Assuming you're driving to Center Parcs no need to stress..before we went I asked people to put out what they wanted to take (assuming your dc are old enough) then put clothes into a big plastic box container thingy. Couldn't be arsed to pack properly. Just made a list of essentials packed those in a separate container put it in the boot and left.

We all had a fantastic time and so will you..don't stress it's not worth it! Have a fantastic time!

I love the packing bit.. have a vodka and get packing whilst Dh looks after the rest.

And enjoy :)

No. Holidays are stressful and expensive and hard work. The expectation is immense.

Have a lovely time.

As long as you have the bare essentials, you need to develop a "so what" attitude to everything else. Bare essentials to me are passport (for forrin travel), driving licence (if hiring a car is a possibility) and credit/debit cards.

You'll be in the UK. You forget some toiletries? You can buy them. As long as you have some clothes so you are not naked, everything else can be managed (incl rinsing out e.g. bras in the sink if you find out you haven't got enough).

when i book holidays i actually dread going due to the packing and travelling.i usually end up wondering why i bothered by the end too.hence not booking one this year!

DH is doing all the washing. Just not in a stressed or rushed manner.

It'll be lovely and relaxed and stress free when we get there. It's just the day before I always get all raaaahh.

The packing makes me feel genuinely ill.

I have just done DD's purple ends and she's cooking for half an hour. So I'm using this time to chill. DH has just sat down in front of the playstation.

I have a list. Actually it's a spreadsheet .

It will only take five minutes to pack, really.

Same shit different place.

I tend to pack in plastic tubs or crates rather than suitcases.

Would a packing list help?

I love packing

Just take what you can and anything you forget can be bought there.

Are you taking food?

Oh I love all that pre holiday rushing about.

If you haven't got a plane to catch though it doesn't matter quite so much does it? I mean you can just chuck everything in the back of the car and saunter off as and when you're ready.

You have a list. You'll be fine. I used to stress out before hols but am married to an exceedingly laid back man who always manages to pack in about 30 mins, and it turns out that he's right, it really doesn't take very long to do.

There was a big thread recently about how holidays with kids are stressful. Iirc, it was about 70/30 of people enjoying them/not enjoying them. So YANBU. Personally, yes holidays are MORE work and they can be immensely stressful. But if you can manage to hide your stress/fake your enjoyment then it's worth it for the lovely memories that your kids will have. Just remember the Three Golden Rules for holidays with children:

1. Wine.
2. More Wine.
3. Yet more wine.

Duh, sorry, my 70/30 was the wrong way round - I meant that most people thought they were stressful.

they are worth it. just back from two weeks in sinai with the boy where we went hand luggage only - 5kg each in teeny cabin bags. so the way forward. but yes it was stressful in the build up and somehow when i book a holiday the universe manages to conspire to make all manner of 'stuff' happen in the couple of weeks before i'm going so that i feel really unfocussed and disorganised.

BUT once you get there it's easy.

have the vodka and a fag then pack your bag and any small children's and leave everyone else to do their own. oh and always remember that the worst thing that can happen is you need to buy something you've forgotten - unless you're in the arse end of africa and the thing you've forgotten is the gadget for cleaning poisonous water that is hardly a tragedy.