I'm a planner. Not just kind of. I have this obsessive need to know what the plan is. The family is collectively nodding their heads in agreement. I think it's getting worse. Any member of the family who has a vacation planned with us in the next several years is thinking about backing out.
The "good" thing is that I've learned to be more proactively vocal about it, rather than complaining later. I will make sure that we all know the plan in advance. Spontaneity is allowed, but in short bursts that account for the kids naptimes, mealtimes, and bedtimes. Food for me should also be scheduled because we all know how much worse it gets when my blood sugar hits the floor.
I'm thinking about this b/c I'm planning ahead for our vacation in a few weeks. So not ready! I don't even have a packing list yet. AAAHHHH! Focus. We live by our schedule around here. Traveling and doing vacationy things tends to throw everyone off. Any suggestions for doing disney stuff with kids who nap??? We're already planning to alternate busy days and relaxing days, so Ethan will be fine napping every other. But Edward. Oh, I'm so afraid of throwing off his sleeping. With his reflux (or GERD as they're calling it now b/c it's still such a major issue for him) causing sleep issues for him, it only makes it worse when he doesn't get naps that his body would let him take. Seriously, how have you managed trips like this with babies who need naps but don't sleep anywhere but the crib???
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Planner
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Hmmm, I'm not sure about the won't sleep anywhere but the crib part, have you tried a swing or a Bjorn, something maybe John could wear? Sometimes babies will zonk out in those for hours. Otherwise maybe shifts, John stays with Ethan while you go back for the nap and then meet up again, or vice versa. I don't know how close you are staying to the resort, so maybe that is not an option...
But anyway, I had to laugh at this post especially the part where you mentioned "vacation in a few weeks" and then "no packing list yet". We start to make a running list of unusual things we don't want to forget but otherwise I CANNOT pack until the night before we leave or I will forget something. I admire people who can make lists and pack in advance.
And remember that Thanksgiving road trip we all took down to California. I think that was when we discovered our, um, dissimilarities when it comes to traveling...good times, good times. :)
I don't know if you remember your first trip to Disney with Grandma McCurdy. We arrived at the park as soon as it opened, stayed until 2, went back to the hotel for a nap, and then came back and stayed until the park closed. The Magic Kindgom is open 9-7 on the Saturday, Epcot is 9 to 9 on Monday, and Animal Kingdom is 9-6 on Wednesday. We can find out which time share is closest if we need to do that option.
Another option is take the stroller to a shady place and put a blanket over it so he can't see out and see if he will zonk out. He did take naps on blankets while you were traveling to Texas, so maybe he can catch some zzzs here and there. Because you are such a planner and need his naptimes as much as he does, he hasn't had many opportunities to fall asleep anywhere other than his crib because you are pretty much always home at naptime.
I travel a whole bunch, so here's a trio of thoughts for you. We don't have kids, so your mileage may vary.
- Once you make a packing list, save it in Excel, and continue to refine it one future trips. My wife does this, and every time she needs to pack, she just prints one out, and goes. With the family, you can even try creating some formulas based on the number of days you need to pack for. This has the added benefit if you think of something offhand, you can add it when you're not freaking out while actually packing.
- Pick up spares whatever and leave them in the suitcases. I have a separate shaving kit, extra chargers for the gadgets, and stuff like that, so when you start gathering stuff, you're already part of the way there.
- Collect all of the customer service phone number for airlines/hotels, etc, and hold on to them, along with your reservation numbers. That way, if you need to make a change on the fly, you have everything you need to do it, and aren't scrambling.
Thanks Josh! I've always intended to save my packing lists for next time, but they're usually handwritten, so they don't survive. Excel is a great idea. I love making spreadsheets!!
I remember that trip Monica. You've put it... discretely.
But, now that I know how Mia likes to vacation, we have been able to take some very fun trips. I'm looking forward to the Disney excursion, I'm sure we'll have a good time.
Post a Comment