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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think that the horror of preparing for a holiday is not worth it?

54 replies

Mitzicoco · 20/05/2019 17:47

Don't get me wrong, I know I am very lucky to be able to go on a holiday over halfterm with dh, ds and dd. But I can't cope with the ironing of dh's many MANY shirts and the fact that I have just realised that the kids wear the same thing all the time (washed at night) and therefore don't have enough clothes for a week. I have also put on 2 stone and don't fit into any of the clothes I wore this time last year. The entire house is littered with clothes. I feel like everything is collapsing around me. And the kid's spaghetti has now been cooking for 20 minutes. Any advice? I'm meant to be excited but feel sense of looming catastrophe :(

OP posts:
Happynow001 · 20/05/2019 18:12

But I can't cope with the ironing of dh's many MANY shirts
So, why are YOU ironing his shirts and not him? Not just pre-holiday either! You sound as though you have quite enough on your plate already. Learn to push back to other people - not just your family...

Have a great holiday - try and get some relaxing in! 🍷🌞😎

mumwon · 20/05/2019 18:14

I am the most disorganised person going :) BUT for holidays I write lists, count days, & add a few extra socks, pants (knickers :)), and an extra bra for me, - at a push you can wash clothes in - ahem- washing up liquid, shampoo (clear), or hand wash soap.

UrsulaPandress · 20/05/2019 18:15

Definitely Asda for the bodily challenged. Doesn’t last well after a wash but it’s cheap.

Cuddlysnowleopard · 20/05/2019 18:17

I'm starting the annual packing for a week in a caravan in Brittany. Now that is fun...swim stuff, shorts, summer dresses, suncream, jeans, jumpers, more jumpers, raincoats, bedding...

Trippedupagain · 20/05/2019 18:29

I always made sure DH bought shirts that said 'non iron' and told him that was an instruction!

noenergy · 20/05/2019 18:30

Packing is very stressful when u have kids.

If u need clothes primary has kids t shirts for £1.20 for younger kids and £1.80 for older kids.

GREATAUNT1 · 20/05/2019 19:03

Noooo don’t do any washing, you’re on holiday & always buy clothes that don’t need ironing. Just hang up stuff that’s been worn & wear it a few days later, you can wear things 3-4 times. Mix & match a few clothes. Read up on the capsule wardrobe for next time. It took me years but I’m an expert now. Enjoy!

TheGoogleMum · 20/05/2019 19:08

We have an iron your own clothes policy in this house (I would iron babies clothes if I desperately felt it was worth it)

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 20/05/2019 19:12

I don’t iron much at all if I can help it and certainly not my dh’s shirts but packing for holiday is stressful, yes. I always manage to forget to take something crucial. And I get really stressy for days beforehand because I know that I’ll forget something. It’s like a self fulfilling prophecy.

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 20/05/2019 19:16

  1. Why are you ironing to go on holiday? It's not the office - who cares if stuff is creased?

  2. The kids can wear the same things for more than one day. If they can't, buy them some more clothes.

  3. put said clothes in a bag and leave the house for said holiday.

Job done.

StCharlotte · 20/05/2019 19:16

My pre-holiday stress is getting the house dog/house-sitter ready.

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 20/05/2019 19:18

I don’t iron much at all if I can help it and certainly not my dh’s shirts but packing for holiday is stressful, yes. I always manage to forget to take something crucial. And I get really stressy for days beforehand because I know that I’ll forget something. It’s like a self fulfilling prophecy.

IWantMyHatBack · 20/05/2019 19:23

Haha, try packing for a two week camping trip

SandAndSea · 20/05/2019 20:01

I've thought this myself (but not about the ironing, I would def stop that).

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 20/05/2019 22:39

Now why the hell did that post twice? Confused

WorraLiberty · 20/05/2019 22:43

Just pack the iron and take it with you.

That way you and/or your DH can iron your clothes as/if you need to.

We have very few clothes that need ironing, so we probably wouldn't take those particular clothes with us.

FreeFreesia · 20/05/2019 22:49

Take the iron with you.....tis madness! Completely bonkers way to ruin a relaxing, away from home, holiday.

Cryalot2 · 20/05/2019 22:56

Enjoy your holiday .

CountFosco · 20/05/2019 23:04

I'm impressed you are packing already. On Friday I will do my own packing and tell the DC to pack, they will be given some guidance on number of items to pack but the 9&11 year old can do their own packing, the 6year old needs more help. DH can obviously do his own packing. We both work FT.

BugEyedBeans · 20/05/2019 23:25

What's an ironing app?
Is it just an ironing service that you need to collect / deliver the shirts to?
Why is that convenient?

MarshaBradyo · 20/05/2019 23:31

Convenient because they pick up and drop off same day

SpecterLitt · 21/05/2019 04:04

Why can you not iron once you're there? Just iron when you need to wear it on the day, each person can do their own thing for the day. I never pre-iron any clothing before I go as it doesn't last, instead I iron at the hotel whenever I wear an outfit that will need ironing. It just makes life easier.

Namaste6 · 21/05/2019 05:37

Ok - sort out a few daytime mix and match outfits (stick to linen and cotton) and lay them out. Add in your swimmers, coverups etc and flip flops. Leave the room. Return a while later and cut the pile by 1/3 - 1/2. That's all you'll wear anyway. Get your husband and children to do the same.

Roll don't fold. Use packing cubes. Decant toiletries. Take a travel hand held steamer to give clothes a quick decrease before wearing. Take a small travel spritzer bottle filled with 1/3 fabric conditioner and 2/3 water. Freshen up clothes that are not actually dirty or marked at the end of the day before hanging them up again.

Innersmellbow · 21/05/2019 05:57

You are right - holidays are overrated and too much work.

Stay home & don't bother with the ironing ever again.

tinytemper66 · 21/05/2019 06:28

My husband irons all his clothes. We both work and would never ask me to do them unless I was doing mine and there was an odd item of his.
He wears it- he irons it. Simple!