Tomorrow the kids, Ruth, my cousin Christopher (who is 10) and I fly together to Texas for a week and half long visit. (I don't usually give warnings as to when I'll be out of the house, but since Richard will still be home I feel OK saying that.) My sister Angela, her 5 kids, and my sis-in-law Kelly and her new baby will also be there. My brother lives nearby with his 3 kids. It should be a really fun trip since all the women of the family and all the grandkids will be there.
This week has been a blur of checking responsibilities off a list, laundry, planning and packing.
Today I went out and bought a "child restraint harness". Otherwise known as a leash. I feel like it is a necessity, and at the same time I feel guilty. When I talked to my sister, Angela, about my guilt she helped me feel better. Essentially she said "Why should you feel guilty for restraining your child with a leash when the alternative is for him to be restrained in a stroller? We restrain our children all the time for their own safety, why is a leash different?" It's true. And the reason I chose to get a leash is that Asher is happier walking than riding in the stroller. And Naomi is happier riding in the stroller than walking. But Asher isn't responsible enough to walk next to me and stay there. I turn my head for 1.4 seconds and he is half way across the room. And when the "room" is a huge airport, that worries me. So I bought a leash. It's really just a strap that goes around his wrist.
Am I the only one who stresses out like nothing else leading up to traveling? It doesn't matter how much I plan and do stuff ahead of time. It's one of those things where what you've got to do is going to take up as much time as you've got. I always end up stressed out to the max and usually crying the night before the trip. I know everything is going to get done. I know if I forget something it's no big deal - we'll just buy another one probably. I know no catastrophe is going to happen. I'm not worried about the actual being high in the sky part of flying at all (just the keeping four kids entertained in one place for four hours part). It doesn't matter how much I tell myself that I don't really need to stress. I still do it. I'm a wreck. Am I alone in my craziness or is this one of those things that everybody does but nobody talks about so you think you're the only one?
4 comments:
I plan to buy a "leash" for our vacation to disney world. I think it's a great way to make both the kid and parents happier. The ones I'm looking at have the harness around the torso, instead of around the wrist. Can't wait to see you tomorrow!
I say if the kid runs off, he needs to know that the "leash" is the natural consequence. Don't feel guilty about it! And airports are complicated enough. I completely understand the concerns about traveling.
if i'm not completely stressed out and not sleeping before a trip, i'm convinced it's going to go horribly wrong. that's the way i prepare see, it's all part of it! you'll have so much fun, well once all the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth is through!
before children - no leash. with Alice - horray for the harness world! I don't think you can really understand unless you've been the parent of a toddler.
and traveling stinks. destination and vacations are great but the journey and packing with the little ones...stinks. you're a trooper!
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