to want to SLEEP instead of going on a free holiday?

[MathsMadMummy]

sorry, second self-indulgent twaddle post today - other one here

haven't been abroad since 2006 (when DC1 was conceived lol) and a couple of short UK trips since. my parents belong to a holiday club and have spent points on a family trip to Rome in 5wks. had been looking forward to it but I'm dreading it. not because of being with parents BTW! just not really enjoying anything ATM, am feeling unbelievably stressed and panicky a lot, and particularly when I think of the holiday.

got so much to sort out and this is the only week off DH has had since new year and won't get another til summer. but our lives are a total mess and the thought of trying to get ready and then just going right back to normal the day after we get home is freaking me out. kids need passports asap and we can't afford them really. flights aren't booked so no money spent. parents would be disappointed but still enjoy the holiday. heaven knows they need it, dad seems to be having a nervous breakdown

yikes I sound so ungrateful. free accommodation, travel and most food. many would jump at the chance of a rare holiday, we sure did I just don't think I'm up to it, I want to curl up and hide and sleep and maybe start sorting our lives out

so, am I completely insane?

Not insane at all. Travel is overrated in my book, and god knows how people with small kids can face it at all. It's a huge hassle ime.

Be prepared though - if you tell your DPs that you are too stressed to go they'll probably try to find solutions.

am going to talk to DH about it tonight seeing parents on sunday

MMM - I know how you feel. I'd do most anything for some quality sleep right now. However, if I were you I'd go on holiday with your parents. Life's too short - trust me.

I was very nervous and panicky about going on hols since we had DC's. They are now 6 and 4 and we went away for the first time last year. I was stressed about everything about the holiday.

But, we went and it was fine, even good, and we now have two booked for this year, including one long haul.

Just go. Make a list of all the things you need to do/buy/pack before you go and tick them off one by one.

All the stuff you need to do here will be waiting for you when you get back and you will be able to pick up your usual life and routine when you get back. I felt the same as you (and I had the travel bug badly before I had DC's) and I went and am glad I did.

Sometimes you have to feel the fear and do it anyway as they say.

Well,5 wks is plenty of time to get organised, and there´s not that much to do really is there?

Hi there,

You are not being unreasonable.

I know how you feel. I have to book holidays at least 9 months in advance oherwise I wouldn't book anything. The nearer they get the worse I feel and the day before I have to FORCE myself to pack. On the actual day of going, I just want to sleep in.

But I know once I'm there all is okay. But I do need to have a long lie down when I first get there, so try and build that into your plans.

Try and go with the flow if you can, list the important/essential things you need to do and try and do them all in one day, so they're out of the way. Passports may be needed again for another holiday, so try to think of them as a necessary item that should be done anyway and just book the flights as as soon as possible otherwise the prices will probably go up.

Coming back is hard too and it takes me months sometimes to get back to normal. Suitcases stay packed for at least a week before I can face doing the unpacking and washing.

I've got a week booked for May (booked in August last year) and have just booked a week in October 2010.

I do sympathise with you,I worked abroad a lot when I was younger and definitely found planning to go away for a year was a lot less stressful than planning a week away!!

All the best!

SK

Stop stressing - it's a holiday! It doesn't matter if you have / haven't got the right clothes / bags / toys for the kids - what does matter is you, your DP and DC get to spend time with your DM&D - something which is worth its weight in gold. And it's Italy, where they will ADORE your kids! None of this 'don't make a noise in restaurants milarky like us Brits!

And, seriously, start organising clothes etc now. I just mean start putting together / ironing (if you do) the odd item of clothing on a weekly / every other day basis - just stops it being so daunting and helps you feel more organised. Ditto medical / toiletry (sp?) stuff.