6 days left, starting to PANIC!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
6 days left, starting to PANIC!!!
6
Fri, 05-18-2007 - 8:45pm

Oh my goodness! I've been planning this trip for about 15 months, and it's finally almost here! My problem now, is that I'm starting to panic about all of it. I just don't know how I'm going to get us all ready and there without a major issues.

Today is Friday. Tomorrow, DH has to be at work at 8 a.m. He will get home sometime around 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. That leaves me and the boys, who still know ABSOLUTELY nothing about this trip, which makes it VERY hard for me to get things organized and packed without something to distract them.

DH doesn't have enough t-shirts for me to pack his things early; he's going to have to pack his own clothes, and that's just it. The boys have plenty of clothes, if I can find the time, I can at least start on their things, but it's finding the time when they aren't around that is my problem.

I have to work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; DH works on Tuesday also (24 hour shift), and the other two days, Isaac will be here. My work is crazy, I really need to work extra hours the days that I'm there, but I don't see how it can happen. We're having major changes (thanks to the federal government, I appreciate it) the first day I'm off, and everything possible needs to be done before that. I know from the minor change that took effect April 1 that I'm coming back to a HUGE mess when I get back. It took us almost a month to get things working right after the minor change, and this one is way bigger. Anyway, Trev has an awards thing Wednesday night, the night before we leave. I was planning to do a lot of packing on Thursday; Isaac has a school picnic that morning, but DH was going to take him and I was going to stay here. Then, last Friday, I get a note from Trev's school, he's have some kind of Fun Day on Thursday, that includes bowling, picnic, shopping at some school store they've been earning tickets for, and graduation practice; big note on the top to bring a parent. I'm glad to spend the time with him, but I would really prefer a different day! DH is going with Isaac because he's working midnight shift on Wednesday night so he can sleep Thursday afternoon to drive through the night. Are you caught up yet? I'll get home from Trev's thing (with Trev in tow) around 3:00; we have to be at the school at 6:30 for graduation. I can't see to figure out where the packing is going to happen!

When I get past all that, I worry that my plans will flop. The ADR's won't be what anyone wants, the resort is going to not be good, we'll get a bad room location, and a hundred other things that could go wrong.

Would someone PLEASE cyber-smack me so I can get back to reality? I'm really tempted to tell the boys what's going on, that would make it so easy to pack, but I don't want to. We've kept it a secret for well over a year, I hate to break down now.

Any thoughts?

Steph

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2007
Fri, 05-18-2007 - 10:34pm

Wow! I don't know your story, as I am very new here . . . but, reading you post made my blood pressure go up! LOL!! Okay, here is my suggestion- If you know a teenager that is responsible have him/her take your child outside to play Sat. or Sun. Better yet, have him/her take the kids to the park, zoo, or something. Kids would have a blast and you could get alot accomplished. You could probaly get most of the major packing done in a couple of hours. I think the cost of a babysitter would be well worth your sanity :) I am sure your trip will be fabulous. I have been to Disney 10 times. I have never had a bad room, one bad meal (mushroom sandwich, yuck, and I LOVE mushrooms :(), and had a fabulous time each time. Relax! It will be great and you will find time to get everything done :) Hey, another idea . . . have someone take them to the movies. That will buy you at least 2 hours :) Good luck with the packing and have a MAGICAL time!

Leslie :)

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Registered: 06-07-2004
Sat, 05-19-2007 - 12:09am

I can smack you.

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Registered: 12-02-2006
Sat, 05-19-2007 - 10:18am

I am right there with you! We leave at noon on Friday and I'm starting to panic too! I'm spending this weekend packing what I can and getting the house cleaned. I still need to finish my iteniary too. I had it all done and then my husband tells me, "can we take an afternoon or evening off to go see my brother (he lives right by disney)?" What????? I would tell him no but then his whole family would have plenty to say about it. I still don't have a place for my dog to go either. The vet wants almost $200 to keep him. I have to work next week too. I work at a school so the end of the year is always busy tying up loose ends. Luckily my boss is letting me come back in June and finish some things. I think this is especially hard for you seeing how your kids don't know. I would probably see if someone could watch them too so you can get some stuff done. You are in for a busy week! Good luck!

Christy

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Registered: 05-11-2003
Sat, 05-19-2007 - 2:21pm
OK Steph, deep breaths!

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 05-19-2007 - 5:28pm

You know, no matter how hard and ahead of time I plan, I always feel like you are feeling right now when it comes down to the wire! Relax--it'll work out! Your kids are going to be so thrilled with that surprise that no meal, etc. is going to ruin it for them!

Next, find someone to take them for a few hours this weekend! Like the pp said, call on relatives, neighbors, friends... I'm sure someone will understand and will be happy to take them...and I'd even pay a babysitter to get a few hours!

If that's not possible, just tell the kids that you are cleaning out their drawers and closets... My kids always fall for that one! Just start piling stuff up making comments about what fits and doesn't...I guarantee they'll be so bored they'll find something else to do away from you! Failing that...pull an (almost) all nighter when they are sleeping to get stuff packed.

Are you sure you can't get a few hours off of work? I know that you said things are crazy at work, but maybe the others would be able to handle it if you came in a little late?

Good luck! Try to take some time to enjoy the excitement (the fun stuff) that comes just before you leave! I think when you're finally in the car and let the kids know about their surprise, you're going to realize that all of this stress was more than worth it!

Claudia

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 05-19-2007 - 6:04pm

Thanks all for the input!

I'm feeling a little bit better about things. It's still going to be a crazy week, but I think we'll get there. It's amazing how much getting just a little bit (a very little bit, lol) done has helped calm me down. This is my progress today--I packed our "extra" toothbrushes for me, ds6 and ds3, put a tube of toothpaste, the sunscreen, cotton balls, q-tips, 2 pair of pj's and 3 shirts and underwear for ds3, and my Mickey hat in the suitcase. That's it, but it's a little progress! I carried those upstairs while the boys were playing, nothing noticed. They probably thought I was cleaning, lol. I guess since I'm trying so hard to not let them know what's going on, that I'm getting paranoid that they suspect. They're 6 and 3 for crying out loud! Although, the 3-yo did as where his goggles are, he left them on the table and now they're gone! Oops! Of course, they don't know the suitcases are out in my room, but they don't go in there. If they saw the suitcases and food, I know they know something was up.

Taking off work any more this week isn't going to be possible. No one picks up my work when I'm gone, it all just piles until I get back to it. I'm dreading the piles I'm going to find when I get back, but that's all part of it.

I think DH's grandma is going to keep the little one on Wednesday, and DH can do the majority of it then. Maybe I could stash everything in laundry baskets and they will think it's just laundry?

Oh, and Natalie, here's your *SMACK*--now get in line and get ready for your trip woman!!!

Steph