View Full Version : When you are preparing for a big family vacation
who does the bulk of the preparations? Do you, your dh/so or is it split evenly?
Shana
05-28-2008, 09:19 PM
I probably do the lion's share, but Brian helps a LOT. He washes, folds and packs his own stuff. And, a BIGGIE to me is making sure our house is super duper clean when we leave (I detest coming home to a messy house!), so he really, really helps with that.
I do all of the packing for myself and for the kids, and that is no small feat.
ColleenC
05-28-2008, 10:54 PM
I do it all. But I want to do it all because if I left it to Steve we'd go with whatever he could throw in a duffle bag. I am kind of anal when it comes to packing so it is strictly hands off for him.
I'm the planner as in right now I am the one organising passports, sorting travel arrangements, fine tuning all the details, figuring out our finances (and keeping tight hold on them) for the spending cash however when it comes to the practical things- the packing, the shopping for clothes, the making list of "to buy" items like sun screen, beach towels etc David is on a par he'll do as much as me with that.
As for the evening before we travel it's all out "all hands on deck" chaos to get everyone ready to go - he couldn't vanish and leave me to it (unless he liked pain LOL) I'd track him down if he tried LOL
We pack together as we both seem to remember things the other forgot and he's often my rationale when i am packing 17 shirts for a 3 day trip :rofl
Christine
05-29-2008, 03:45 AM
It's very equal. Since our typical family vacation is camping, Dave handles the outside gear and I handle the inside gear.
We plan the menu together. Dave handles all the major gear, I do the shopping, food prep, clothes packing and medical supplies. We've got a pretty good rhythm going and know what's expected of each person.
Kristen
05-29-2008, 06:01 AM
I generally do, because we leave on a Saturday, and Steve is at work until Friday night. So, I obviously have more time to pack. He helps me load up the car, and he does what he can on Friday night, though.
gr8mommy
05-29-2008, 07:03 AM
My husband arranges for the lease on the house we rent each year, and he packs his own clothes. I do everything else.
Jbird
05-29-2008, 07:16 AM
I do most of it. He packs for himself, and he generally wants to be the one loading the car, if it's a road trip. But otherwise, planning/packing/etc. is usually up to me.
Casey
05-29-2008, 08:10 AM
me! I pack all the bags and any snacks, Steven loads it in the van LOL
I generally do the packing even when I ask him to help. At least with the kids' clothes and such. He organizes the packing of the vehicle as he's good with that. When it comes to making lists and getting things around it's pretty even.
Cyndi
05-29-2008, 08:04 PM
I would say it's equal. We're list people, so we make a list and split it. lol
kcmomma
05-30-2008, 06:26 AM
Well...we've never taken a major vacation as a family with Madison going with us. We did one when she was a few months old and she spent the 3 days with Dh's parents. I tend to do the majority of the packing. Dh does mention things in passing that he wants us to remember to take. He packs his own clothes. I do 99% of the rest, as well as often end up packing the car.
Danielle
06-13-2008, 01:58 PM
Me. Just me.
Brooke
06-14-2008, 06:24 AM
I do most of the packing and list-making. He does most of the "did you remember this?" every 15 minutes or so. ;)
Tobye
06-14-2008, 06:49 AM
I do most of the packing and list-making. He does most of the "did you remember this?" every 15 minutes or so. ;)
Me too! Then he puts all his clothes out on the bed like we're leaving for a year and stares at it until I finally go over and tell him what to pack. Works great for him!
SarahJ
06-16-2008, 04:37 PM
I do it all - basically I wash, clean, pack EVERYTHING then dump it in the hall for him to pack in the car.
I get really stressed out and end up grumpy, then yell at him that I don't enjoy doing it all, and he should help out more.
Its always a rush at the end and I inevitably end up forgetting something non-vital.
Oh well, such is life ;)
I don't like coming home to a messy house so try to clean before we leave as well, which adds to the chaos!
We're going to Australia next month so I really should try and do things differently this time!
We don't really have big vacations-or really, any vacation. Brayden is 3 and he's left the state on 2 occasions- When dh's grandfather had a stroke and was dying, and when my brother was married. So in 3 years and 2 trips, neither of those was an honest vacation. I would assume that I would do most of the plans and packing, because I did for the wedding.