Mommy Meltdown

[2 princes 1 princess]

I remember reading a thread about mothers having meltdowns at one point or another during their Disney vacations.

I think I'm getting close to having mine. I've been trying to get laundry done, pack for three little kids, get our travel info all organized, clean the house etc. and I'm about to loose it. I know this is how it goes for my family. I usually can avoid freaking out by taking a walk or running errands ALONE. I just wanted to hear about other mom's vacation meltdowns. It makes me laugh to hear I'm not alone. Anyone else out there?

 

[Dizneydaz]

I get a little stressed out just before we leave. I have dreams of missing the plane or forgetting to pack until just before we have to leave. I think it's normal, especially if your handling most of the details. I handle everything from the start of trip planning to arriving home. Don't get me wrong, though, part of the fun of the trip for me is the pre-planning. Some members of my family would say I'm obsessed (I don't think so, okay maybe just a little LOL!)This trip will be myself (DM) DD-6, and my mom who has gone on every trip (except the first one) listed on my signature.

I arrange everything. I get the best flight I can. I reserve our package. I reserve the car (and keep checking to see if the price falls). And I handle the packing for my DD and myself. (My DM always says I bring too much, I don't agree, well maybe just a little). I handle the flight bag with all the goodies to keep by DD busy (she's a great flier). I make all the AR (This year we have 2 bdays to celebrate-DD and my mom-special meals for each) Etc., etc. etc.

Don't overstress it. Even if something goes wrong (like our last trip when I picked up 2 different sets of keys for our car rental and didn't know it-small meltdown-what a pain that was!) the trip will be great! Remember your at WDW. Like they say about fishing, a bad day at WDW is better than a good day doing anything else. Go with the flow. Adapt. Everything will be great and even if it isn't those little mishaps will sound better when they are retold after you get home. Have a great trip! Relax!

45 days and counting!!

 

[famofour]

I think what you have to do is take one thing at a time and don't stress over everything going perfectly as planned. Nothing and noone is perfect. When everything piles up at once at the end - just take it one thing at a time, relax and enjoy the anticipation of the trip as well as the trip itself!

 

[smfritz03]

I know how you feel. Im 7 days away, and feeling the burnout of months of planning. I dont feel that I can do one more thing. Im finding that, taking a break and thinking of absolutely nothing helps so much!!! And just turning some relaxing music on, and power cleaning helps clear out the mind too!! So just take a small 60 min break if possible, and enjoy yourself. It does help and do not let Disney into the mind!!!

 

[Anastasia]

I do all of the planning and preparing for our vacations. I also have three kids, and I know how crazy it gets getting ready to go. The one thing that helps take some of the stress off of me during the last minute preparations, is that I decided that the house doesn't have to be perfectly clean for me to go on vacation. If the bags aren't packed, I have a problem. If the bathroom floor doesn't get cleaned, oh well, that can wait until I get home. Somehow it all gets done every time, but I find that if I take the pressure off of myself about cleaning the house, I can relax and get it done.

Also, I sit down and get all of the paperwork in order, and that seems to calm me down too.

So my method of preventing mommy meltdowns is to set priorities and let the unimportant things go.

 

[buckler]

I was stressed our first trip to Disney. I felt I had to have everything planned for every little contingency. My husband had never been to WDW and hadn't done all the research I had done. I had our Tourguide Mike itineray and had researched which rides would be good for our kids (not too scary!). My DH repeatedly questioned why we were skipping certain rides and why we were going to rides in a certain order. It made for some tension. The trip was fun but I was worn out by the end. I felt like I hadn't had a vacation. I called it a "business trip". I felt like I was working the whole time!

Our second trip was SO much better. By now my husband had learned that I really knew what I was doing and didn't question me once! He was in a much better mood, I was in a better mood and the kids had a great time. The planning was much easier because I had learned from the previous trip. This time I almost felt like I'd had a vacation too!

We were hoping to go on a 3rd trip early next year but my kids want to wait a few years. (Boo kids!)

 

[boston1029]

I think that the most important thing to remember is that you're not going to see it all. If you take on the attitude that if we miss it, oh well, then I think that it'll be a lot better for you. I know that for me, that is the way that I've had to do it now, because of my crazy mom meltdown in 2000. My DH vowed that we would never go again, but I'm happy to say that I've changed his mind and he helps me to plan as well. Remember, the most important thing is that you'll be with your family, seeing the kids reactions and even your own. Strolling down Main Street instead of running at break neck speed to get to Dumbo. We each pick out one thing that we most want to do and make sure that it gets done and everything else is secondary. It's made all the difference for us. Our trips have become so much more relaxed. I've also given up on cleaning the house before I leave, there's time for it after. Enjoy your trip and leave all the stress at home.