Mommy's Never Get Vacations

Isn't this a nice extended family photo? It is pretty hard, after all, to get a picture with everyone smiling and looking at the camera! Oh wait SOMEONE isn't looking... What is that crazy lady doing? Oh yes, yelling at her children to stop fighting and just smile for the camera!

Why do I insisted on taking family vacations? Inevitably, I find myself on every trip thinking.. . And this was my idea? Lets be honest. Regardless of where you go on a trip, a Mom's version of the family vacation goes pretty much like this...



Before the Trip:

1. Laundry.

2. Pack. Not just suitcases, but snacks, activities, and everything you can possibly squeeze into your carry-on in case of _______________ (fill in the blank of endless possibilities on an airplane ride with children).


3. Clean the house.

4. Keep the house clean.

5. Waking up earlier than needful the day of the trip with a list of everything you dreamed all night about forgetting.

6. Hunt around house for items you forgot.

7. Serve a quick breakfast.

8. Hand wash Dishes so they don't smell up the house. Oh and don't forget to take out the garbage.

9. Make sure husband loads everything in the car.

10. Hunt around for the next set of items you forgot.

11.Run out the door.

Airport:

1. Constantly hustling of the children to get them where they need to be safely and quickly without anyone wandering off. All the while ignoring countless look from strangers who are silently (and sometimes not so silently) critiquing the your efforts. After enduring this so many times I have found the best way to accomplishes this, is Bribery. "as soon as you are sitting in your seat with your seat belt safely fastened, you can have some M&Ms". "I'm really sorry you can't go to the bathroom right now here's some Smarties." Etc Etc. In the mean time someone throws ups, another starts crying and one wets there pants. BREATHE.


"Vacation"

Vacationing with children is really just doing what you do everyday, just in a different place without any routines and a third the sleep. It is full of bathing children, getting them dressed, Fixing their hair (more than normal because everyday is picture day). Dragging your children all over the place so they can enjoy something. And heaven forbid no throwing a fit in front of Grandma.



Airport:


See previous only increase the bribes and the whining about 10 fold. Not to mention you have had no sleep and you patience is well spent.



After the Trip


1. Unpack

2. Laundry

3. Find a place to store the souvenirs, blog about all you adventures, and make a scrapbook so your children remember that they did fun things as a kid.

4. And finally try to reestablish the routines that have more then been forgotten on the trip...