Jealous. That's me. To mothers who sincerely say that they have a holiday feeling as soon as they are in the car, on the way to their holiday destination. When they leave, there is no laundry, the beds have been changed and everything is neatly packed and on time. Even the on-the-go snacks look great and are healthy too. These are often the same mothers whose house looks immaculate when they leave, while the day before departure she also had five play friends of the children over the floor. They know no stress for holidays.
I don't identify with this at all. Sooooo sorry. Every year I try it again. I even get to show twice a year that I can do it. But time and time again I fail. Cause?Holiday stress!
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Maybe you think… how? I will explain to you how my stress builds up before the holidays.
Now we are unlucky that our two children are quite carsick. So no matter how much I'm looking forward to our vacation. I think the journey there is hell. My job mainly consists of buttoning bags of vomit and keeping them carefully until we stop somewhere. We've already tried everything. From pills to wristbands, from ginger to cotton wool in the ears. Nothing helps. So tips are very welcome. Every disadvantage has its advantage, so I don't have to make beautiful snacks for the road.
The journey itself is one thing. But those preparations. I get warm just thinking about it. This while we have divided the tasks. Is that the case with you too?
It is the hubby who ensures that the car holiday is ready, that the music playlist is to everyone's liking and that the route is programmed. Traditional as we are, I take care of the groceries, that the laundry is clean and the things are packed. When I have everything ready, my hubby lugs it to the car and also meekly follows my packing instructions. I have bags for everything and every bag has to be in a certain place.
A bag with clean clothes and wet wipes to cover up the initial spit damage. A bag with small gifts to reward the children for their good behavior along the way (this really helps). A cool bag with food and drinks for during the trip. A bag with a sustainable reserve of food and drink in case we end up in a long traffic jam. Finally, a bag with swimwear. Because as soon as we arrive at the campsite, our children want to take a dip. My dear darling has already stowed the suitcases and bags with clothing, bedding and holiday groceries in the car at his own discretion.
My tasks are really manageable. I only work in the mornings so plenty of time left, you might say. No stress for vacation needed. Still I get the nerves two weeks in advance. My aim is, every year, that the house should be able to pass as a showroom when you leave. Just like the perfect mothers. My beds must also be freshly made and all the laundry ready. I also want to take as much stuff as possible with me. A nice tablecloth with matching napkins. Picnic equipment for the lake. Toys for the kids. That nice, large pan and good knives should not be missing either – we always go wrong in those mobile homes.
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Look, I do understand that I can get a lot of things from my house for a long time. I often do that too. But then I do that again so far in advance that I don't remember where I left it. Recognizable? And I've been trying to keep up with the laundry for weeks. I follow all weather apps closely. Unfortunately, they reflect different expectations every day, so I pack a matching cardigan or jacket with every elegant summer dress just to be sure. Imagine that it gets a bit colder than expected.
So you see, I'm stressed for vacation, but I'm certainly not the only one. Serina wrote before about her holiday stress because she booked too late 😉 .
Getting everything ready on time remains difficult for me. Self-reflection shows that I just don't set the right priorities.
On my free afternoons I'm especially busy before the holidays with, for example:
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I still get the holiday shopping and the laundry done in between. Brushing is a different story. That has never been my hobby. But I like it when I come home after a holiday to a clean house. And a fresh bed of your own is the height of happiness. The thought of this makes me run like a madman through the house one day before departure, being curt to everything and everyone and flopping into bed in the evening, exhausted, where I realize that my nails are not painted and my legs have not been depilated.
The next morning, tense, I step into the car next to my treasure. With spit bags within reach, we leave for the campsite and so my holiday stress reaches its peak. Along the way, I think about what I've forgotten. What I do know for sure is that I also packed a bag with a bottle of wine and a can of beer. Once we have arrived safely at our destination, have unpacked everything and my cheerful tablecloth is over the garden table, I open my bottle of wine. Then I toast with my love to a wonderful holiday and I secretly look forward to my own, freshly changed bed!!
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