Ottakee Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 I am mostly done now. We are only going away for 4 nights and staying in a hotel but it is a lot of work getting ready. I have 3 special needs kids---all with medication and 2 with LOTS of medication along with a 11 year old foster boy with some meds. Dh is diabetic so he has meds too and insulin, and a cpap, etc. So besides clothes for everyone I have to make sure to have meds for everyone. Then we have our own little funny farm here with a bearded dragon, hamster, inside cat, dog, barn cat, 8 chickens and 3 horses, including one with special feed needs as she has no teeth left. That means setting out food and lists of chores for all of the critters. Then we have to remember all of the cell phones and chargers and ipads and kindles, and more chargers, etc. Going on vacation is a lot of work. I love my kids and love having the critters but I am envious of those people who open a duffle bag, put in some clothes and walk out the door to go on vacation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica in OR Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 I feel your pain. We just did two single-night trips. With all the packing involved for that short time, including equipment for twin toddlers, any relaxing that actually gets done when you're there is pretty much a wash. Have a great trip! Erica in OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Yup. We're right there with ya! I just finished typing out the farm chores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 :grouphug: My food allergies mean a lot of food prep, freezing, and transporting. It is a pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 I remember the days, one pair of jeans and a long skirt, I was good to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpidarkomama Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Yep, here too! Lots of animals, 4 kids, and we keep kosher so can't eat out anywhere when we travel since we mostly like to travel in the boonies! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Yup! I hear you! This is the main reason we travel for longer periods of time. I jsut can't see putting in all that effort for a couple of nights. (We do it for weddings and all, but for vacation? We go for the long haul.) I hope you are able to have a relaxing time!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 I feel your pain. I'm packing up a kid to go to a week-long camp for disabled kids. It's nuts how much equipment and medicine these kids need. It took me a whole day to get him packed. It looks like he's moving out there is so much stuff!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 I completely relate. We took a 3 week trip last year and it took me months of obsessive list making to feel like we had everything covered. Even then, I kept waiting for that moment when I would realize I had forgotten something vital (it never came, thankfully!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Just a thought that you might already do: Can you keep a document for animal care and update it as needed? So you are not starting from scratch every time? Also, I keep a packing list/document that I print out as needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 I feel for you! Last summer we went back to the states for 6 weeks. Preparing to be gone for that long... And then actually being gone for that long... Is what made us decide to stay here this summer! It is a lot of work. I pray all goes well and that you have a great time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenn- Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 My DH never understand why I refuse to go to the beach "just for a night or two." It is way too much work and I only have 4 kids without any special needs. The only vacations I actually enjoy are my childless cruises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 Oh boy, I totally relate. We have a houseful of pets too, plus the chickens. DD 17 is on the Condensed Cowden protocol for Lyme so she has meds 4 times a day. Our only vacation every year is a camping trip for two weeks only accessible by boat with no running water and a composting toilet so one has to remember EVERYTHING! Hope you have a fantastic time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom0012 Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 Gosh, and I thought I had it rough trying to pack for everyone and dealing with my son's multiple food allergies while on vacation!! Still a lot of work, though. I hope you have a great time once you get going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaisyMay Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Just a thought that you might already do: Can you keep a document for animal care and update it as needed? So you are not starting from scratch every time? Also, I keep a packing list/document that I print out as needed. That's what I do, too. I have documents on my computer for airplane packing list, toiletries packing list, car packing list, beach packing list, etc. I also have one for the dogs' directions :-) . It makes life so much easier when I don't have to think of everything! Hope you have a wonderful time! Gayle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted June 20, 2013 Author Share Posted June 20, 2013 We are back. Got back at 2:15 and within the hour we were in the barn doing hay....only got 100 bales right now but we had to get it from the farmer, unload it and bring back his wagon so he could keep baling. The kids had a great time. Our foster boy had never been on vacation so he loved every minute of it-----including several hours a day in the pool. Dh and I enjoyed it but have decided that we need to go to Mackinaw Island ALONE some time so we can really enjoy it. I do have master lists but I can generally print out and just modify as needed. Did find out though that while 11 year old foster son SAID that he packed everything on his list---it was crossed off--that in reality he brought alone 2 church shirts, 1 jeans, 3 swimsuits, 1 pj pants and some undies and 1-2 pairs of sock. No extra shorts, no t-shirts, no extra jeans, etc. Thankfully the hotel had a washer and dryer. Next time I inspect each bag :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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