AIBU we leave on holiday tomorrow morning and …

[Sundaybananas]

We leave on holiday tomorrow morning, and I’m the only one packed. DH and two older teens have done nothing. They barely seem to have registered that we are going tomorrow.

AIBU to just leave them to it, and if that means they have nothing but what they are standing up in then maybe they will learn for next time?

(so as not to drip feed, it’s a U.K. self catering holiday but we have to leave at 8am tomorrow, and the location is remote. There will be a small supermarket but no clothes shops.)

I never packed for my exH in the 13 years we were together (it never occurred to either of us that I would) and my (female) partner and I individually assemble our clothes, etc and then pack together, each putting half into the two suitcases (in case one goes missing).

Phew! I thought when you said you only had your handbag that you’d omitted them. Oh I absolutely love a sample size for the plane. I can see you and I are cut from the same packing cloth!

I'm team @Fitasafiddle1 here. Except last calls to family.

And you absolutely need to clean the car before it goes on it's own holiday to the airport car park. How would you like to be on holiday, all dirty and needing a hoover?

@MyDeftDuck

I’m not sure you can blame his ex wife for his incompetence. And he’s not with her now is he.

Most of us women don’t get taught this stuff, we just figure it out cos we have to.

maybe next time just leave him to it? I’m sure he can manage now, and I’m sure you’ve got lots of other things that you could be getting on with!

I don't know how this is possible! I pack totally different things depending on where I'm going and how long for!

One year she couldn’t be arsed to unpack post holiday and that was the start of having “a holiday suitcase packed already at all times”!!

I used to work with someone who had everything except some clothes packed all the time - he kept it in his office and it had his passport, a book, a jar of marmite, some shoes and some chinos, and I think a laptop charger - and in the same job I lived for a couple of years in a developing country, about 2 hours' drive from the capital, I kept an overnight bag packed all the time (pyjamas, toiletries, spare t-shirt, book) because we often got a phone call saying "come to this meeting this morning" and we wouldn't know till we got there if we would have to stay overnight.

Because I travel much less frequently now, it has become more of a palaver.

I have my work trip suitcase always semi-prepared - chargers and adapters, mini-toiletries, gym clothes. Otherwise depends where and when, but those are staples.

Well it was a self catering remote cottage, so it will matter.

But why? If there's a washing machine? and if it's remote they won't be going anywhere fancy each night. What's wrong with a couple t shirts and shorts/bikini tops?

Sourcing the items to take? They're all in my wardrobe/bathroom.

It's fine that some people want new bits and to plan their outfits, but it's also fine to just throw an appropriate amount of clothes in a suitcase.

It's not fine to expect other people to use the same process as you.

Have you ever been on holiday in the UK?

Yes. The point I'm making is if there's a washing machine they don't need much stuff.

I was thinking about waterproofs and boots really. Scotland can be tricky if you don't have those.

I agree. We were camping in the Lake District once. Our usual trips were to Cornwall. We got to our campsite, and they'd already had 2 weeks of rain-it didn't stop, and we had to buy waterproofs and wellies.

Fair play. But either they have that stuff or they don't. If they don't then it's too late!

And expensive and time consuming to put right. If one child has no coat of boots it’s a major pain.

There was me hoping they're going to some sunny villa in Spain or something. 🤣

I hope it's not going to be that wet in Scotland in summer? But I've not been except Edinburgh once as a kid.

I think it can be. Hopefully not, this summer. It was a UK holiday and they mentioned a ferry.

Hmm...a ferry? Maybe not Scotland? Haha. I'm trying to think now...Either way I hope that it's not wellies and waterproof weather for them! X

One of the islands, maybe. Hebrides etc.

Could be Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Northern Ireland (or indeed anywhere in the RoUK if that's where they live), Scilly Isles, Lundy...

I realised some years ago that I’m m early for all appointments and travel because my dad was hyperpunctual, and late for him was being ready for a day out at the exact time he would have told us the night before. It was less anxiety inducing to have clothes ready & bag packed the night before than doing it all on waking.

That's the weakness in your strategy. You are driving. It just means lots of stress and a late start. Guarantee that within half an hour one will be famished and the other will need a wee.

Gosh yeah. In that case my bikini top and booty shorts suggestion may not be ideal. 🤣