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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder if it’s worth going on holiday when getting ready to go is this much of a pain in the a***?

51 replies

Sadmadsleepy · 28/05/2023 19:05

Love holidays and am really looking forward to 5 days of real life switch off!

However, going anywhere with child in tow seems to require a mammoth amount of prep work! Washing, leaving the house in a semi ok state, figuring out what to pack, packing, clearing out the car…the list goes on and on. Been at it on and off all day and nowhere near done.

I’m sure I remember pre kiddy chucking some stuff in a suitcase whilst music played, glass of wine in hand, as I carefully picked outfits and accessories. Now, I’m lucky if what I chuck in a bag for me - last of course- even matches. DD’s 5 million items of clothing, toys, sleep things etc are all much better planned out of course!

I know it will lovely once on the way tomorrow…but this bit seriously sucks, right?!

OP posts:
Hollyppp · 28/05/2023 21:08

We did ferry and Eurocamp. Packing was a bit of a faff but at least you can just Chuck it all in if you have a big car. Also buy anything you need from a giant French supermarket. Will totally be doing it again next summer with 1 year old and 3 year old

HildasLostSock · 28/05/2023 21:19

I'm with you OP. Packing for myself, a 6 year old & a 10 month old (do we have room for the pushchair or shall I just make do with the baby sling/carrier? Hmm) (DH can pack his own stuff) its only 3 nights an hour's drive plus a hour's ferry but petrified I'll have forgotten something essential that I won't discover until late at night so probably over doing it. So. Much. Stuff. 🤦‍♀️ tempted to take my coffee machine with me to the travelodge but surely that's overkill 😂

FoggyDew · 28/05/2023 21:31

I’m just back from camping with my (autistic + adhd) 8 year old plus the children of my best friends (to give them a break- 2nd time since Christmas we have taken them away).

The van was stuffed beyond all reason.

I am disabled. The van broke down. I fully expect my friends to nominate us for some sort of community help award! 😂.

dwightschrutebeets · 28/05/2023 21:34

I couldn't think past the 7 hour plane journey with a crazy 16 month old but omg. Best.holiday.ever.
Everyone was relaxed, we all had an amazing time. Itl be better than you're expecting!

dwightschrutebeets · 28/05/2023 21:35

Sorry I misread. Yep the packing full y sucks!!

JMSA · 28/05/2023 21:36

PerrinAybara · 28/05/2023 20:14

I'm packing for a UK camping holiday with 2 DC. I am so stressed. Packing is bad enough as it is - add in tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, insect repellent and a fuckton of other stuff and I'm regretting ever agreeing to it.

Oh God, I really don't envy you and hope that it's worth it!

Mum2jenny · 28/05/2023 21:38

I have several lists for going on holidays, fine tuned over the years. Suggest you put one together for each of your holiday choices. It makes it much easier.

Original poster
Sadmadsleepy · 28/05/2023 22:34

HildasLostSock · 28/05/2023 21:19

I'm with you OP. Packing for myself, a 6 year old & a 10 month old (do we have room for the pushchair or shall I just make do with the baby sling/carrier? Hmm) (DH can pack his own stuff) its only 3 nights an hour's drive plus a hour's ferry but petrified I'll have forgotten something essential that I won't discover until late at night so probably over doing it. So. Much. Stuff. 🤦‍♀️ tempted to take my coffee machine with me to the travelodge but surely that's overkill 😂

The fear is real!

Whilst I’m happy to make do/do without if I’ve forgotten something, I’m not willing to face the wrath of my mini dictator if something of hers is left behind…not to mention god forbid an item essential for a good night’s sleep is forgotten. Then we are all doomed😫

OP posts:
Eastie77Returns · 29/05/2023 07:33

illiterato · 28/05/2023 20:42

I told ds (12) to put all his stuff on my bed so I can pack ( I prefer to cross pack suitcases in case one gets lost). For a week:

  • 2 pairs of pants
  • 2 tshirts
  • 2 shorts
  • 1 swim trunks
  • phone charger
  • 4 asterix books

Give. Me. strength.

😂😂😂

DD insisted she could pack her own clothes for our current week long break and I need to “stop treating her like a child” and doing it for her. She laid out 2 x leggings, her favourite Harry Potter hoodie, 1 t-shirt. A collection of books, a torch and a cuddly toy.

Anyway, I’ve found my tribe. I thought I was the only one who struggled with this. We are away for a half term combing the Lake District and a city break. Oh my god. Packing for 2 DC broke me. Suitable clothing and shoes for hiking, everyday wear and we are also meeting friends for dinner in a nice hotel one evening so I needed a nice outfit and shoes for that. Weather forecast is good but still need to consider “chilly evenings”. I had a meltdown the evening before we left, it was all too much.

Sirzy · 29/05/2023 07:38

I agree with lists being the answer.

as with a PP I have a disabled child so by the time I have packed all his meds and feed stuff we have bags coming out of our ears even just for two nights away!

Yellowrosesmakemehappy · 29/05/2023 07:40

I was the same as you OP pre toddler 😂 packing was a nice event.

Now I find it helps to pack early and slowly, like two weeks before. Pack anything first that you don’t use at home or new stuff just for holiday.

Its hard when the weathers good and you use the clothes at home too, but you could pack those clothes also then when you get them out at home to use them, wash them and put them back in the case rather than a draw.
Doesn’t work if you deffo want to iron it though.

Also sort out all your toiletries that you won’t be using at home and pack
those early.
Lists also help!

Yellowrosesmakemehappy · 29/05/2023 07:40

Agree it is harder to pack for the UK also!

IcedPurple · 29/05/2023 07:41

Even without kids, I find packing stressful. But I'm sure it will be worth it once you leave!

JaninaDuszejko · 29/05/2023 07:42

What makes it easier is the kids getting older and able to do their own packing. And holidays with teenagers who actually enjoy being somewhere different is much better than being on holiday with small children who just want familiarity and you have to spend the entire holiday dealing with small kids.

MadEyeMoodysEye · 29/05/2023 07:45

Packing for camping is a full day's job for the 2 of us.
Packing for a hotel/beach holiday is a doddle in comparison and I actually quite enjoy it.

Wicksytricksy · 29/05/2023 08:14

Now we've got kids I just accept that I'll have to do at least one wash per week away (we always go self catering) and that both me and DH will end up wearing the same outfit pretty much every day.

It's cured me of the need to take 5 extra pairs of knickers "just in case"

MuggleMe · 29/05/2023 08:15

Absolutely solidarity. Packed on Saturday for a week at the coast. DH was really quite poorly and in bed most of the day, pulled himself together for tyre pressure and actual putting in boot. Had ASD eldest alternating between hyper and exhausted and DD2 5yo 'helping'. Needed impromptu clothes trip for DD1 and ended up having a meltdown and emergency nap at 1.30!

But that was definitely the worst of it. Drive down fine (DD1 vomiting barely registered) and girls so happy to be at the seaside. Totally worth it.

Cincinnatus · 29/05/2023 08:19

illiterato · 28/05/2023 20:42

I told ds (12) to put all his stuff on my bed so I can pack ( I prefer to cross pack suitcases in case one gets lost). For a week:

  • 2 pairs of pants
  • 2 tshirts
  • 2 shorts
  • 1 swim trunks
  • phone charger
  • 4 asterix books

Give. Me. strength.

Sounds like my son..also 12. The most important thing he wanted was his charger and battery pack 🙄

Anycrispsleft · 29/05/2023 08:28

DH left to go on a wee half term holiday with the kids on Saturday... after a last minute trip to try and get DD1 shorts and dresses after she realised she'd grown out of everything from last year. DH was like "how could it be that she doesn't have any shorts that fit?" well mate because neither of us bought her any I guess is the answer to that!

Original poster
Sadmadsleepy · 29/05/2023 09:25

Glad it’s not just me finding it soul destroying.

Still packing this morning…just given some of DD’s list to DH to do. CBA. He can deal with the fall out if he forgets a precious cuddly etc. 🤣

Let’s see what time we hit the road…

OP posts:
Original poster
Sadmadsleepy · 29/05/2023 09:27

MuggleMe · 29/05/2023 08:15

Absolutely solidarity. Packed on Saturday for a week at the coast. DH was really quite poorly and in bed most of the day, pulled himself together for tyre pressure and actual putting in boot. Had ASD eldest alternating between hyper and exhausted and DD2 5yo 'helping'. Needed impromptu clothes trip for DD1 and ended up having a meltdown and emergency nap at 1.30!

But that was definitely the worst of it. Drive down fine (DD1 vomiting barely registered) and girls so happy to be at the seaside. Totally worth it.

My 4yo ‘helped me’ clear out the car yesterday. That involved about 5% actual help and the remainder explaining why it wouldn’t be helpful to me if she climbed in the boot to ‘pass me things’… 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
Sadmadsleepy · 29/05/2023 11:29

We’re off!! FF for that.

Good luck fellow packers 🤞😉

OP posts:
ssd · 29/05/2023 11:51

Enjoy!!!
This thread is bringing back the trauma of packing for holidays in the UK when the kids were small. I had to remember EVERYTHING. Dh used to pack his stuff and go 'well that's sorted'..how he is still breathing i dont know

CatsOnTheChair · 29/05/2023 12:03

How old are the kids? Guessing school age since you are going at half term?
They help!
So, you have decided the trip needs 5 pairs of knickers. Each child has to go and get 5 (clean) pairs and put in their pile. Them move onto teeeshirs, shorts, trousers etc. Bedtime stuff - put a limit on numbers.
by about 8, I could see them off with "5 sets of hot weather clothes, 3 sets of nightwear, and 5 books/toys" instructions, and it just appeared.

SwordToFlamethrower · 29/05/2023 12:16

I don't have a problem. I use lists. Got 7 camps in the caravan this year.