Cool as a Cucumber...

Take the pressure off by using my vacation packing motto: If we forget something, there are stores where we are going!

Have a good trip!

When I travel, I keep lots of lollipops for the kids. I even give them to the other kids on the plane. There's something about a lollipop that keeps kids "pacified" and it helps with ear popping too.

Vacations always seem like a good idea, but they usually cause the most burden in the year. I've never been on an airplane so I have no advice there. But the only thing I can tell you I do when we have something going on the day I'm supposed to start (and this maybe something you already do) is going ahead and use a tampon and pad.... just in case. Take Ibuprophine right away in the morning for cramps and keep an extra pad and tampon with you. That will at least take that worry from you for that day.

Sounds like all the responsibility has fallen to you, and you're hormonal to boot. Think of the positives: the kids will get to experience air travel and watch all the planes while you are waiting to board, they'll get to be with all these relatives and get to know them better, there will be lots of supervision so you can maybe take a walk or have a glass of wine by yourself! Your husband will be there for the flight so you will have help, and he can do more since you are doing a lot now.

Don't pack as much as you think you need - you can buy stuff there if you are really stuck. Hotels have free shampoo and lotion, for example, and stores for the other stuff. Kids can wear clothes more than once, you can rinse out underwear and socks in the hotel sink if you have to, you'll manage.

Definitely get some new dollar toys that the kids haven't seen, and pack them each a backpack with their special things (favorite stuffed animal, for example.)

Have them wear sandals rather than sneakers (you and your husband too) so there is no shoe tying when you go through security. Take your IDs. Don't take anything liquid that's more than 2 ounces. Take empty water bottles and fill them at the water fountain after you go through security. Take a few baggies of snacks that can be tossed after eating.

I agree about tampon & pad, and carry an extra and a spare pair of underwear in your purse, not your luggage.

If you have a kid in a stroller, take the umbrella type and gate-check it so you have it in the terminal. Older kids can manage their own wheeled backpacks or suitcases and actually enjoy doing that. Can you get a book or 2 from the children's library that deal with flying and travel, talk about how planes fly and what things look like from the air? Those will help pass the time in the airport and during the flight.

Definitely have something to help with ear popping - have the youngest drink during take off and landing, and teach the older ones to swallow. Gum or lollipops work - whatever you usually allow. And if you don't usually, relax your standards for the trip! Whatever gets everyone through the day!

Try to think of how exciting this is going to be and how the work will all be done in a day or so and then you are off!

I'm not sure what's going on that you say you have to be a good parent or your family will call you out on it. Are you going off with a highly critical group? I have some relatives like that and I've just learned to smile and ignore! You ARE a good parent or you wouldn't be stressing out like this! And even if someone else doesn't think you're a good parent, what do they know?

What's going on with you is you're hormonal, as we age that can get worse, so just know what your "problem" is. Premysyn (over the counter) works for me. Put a notebook and pencil next to your be tonight so if something occurs to you you can write it down immed. rather than lay there thinking "I must remember to bring the ..." Make sure this vacation will include at least one activity that YOU) not just the kids or hubby are really looking forward to. Plan it and look forward to it. sometimes in planning vacations I get caught up in activities son would like, and hubby is good and making sure there are activities he would like, I have to Remind myself to choose something I really want to do and schedule it in!
You've gotten great advice on traveling, I cant add to that. Though last time we traveled I took Kid's Cliff Bars and the protein in them kept son happy and full while we ran from one activity to the next, he never got cranky and hungry!

Is there one wonderful thing you can look forward too??? like does your destination have a wonderful chocolate shop that you can go buy your self a spluge??? or wih enough family around can you get away by yourself for an hour and chill with a book.

make lists and the kids can help. or call a friend and beg for a playdate so you can have some time to pack in piece.

Tape your frreezer fridge shut so you don't come home to spoled food.

hit the dollar store for a few new trinkets forthe kids to keep them quiet while traveling.

Oh, dear, I feel for you! Your situation reminds me of our neighbors across the street, a week ago the wife was sitting in the driveway with 18, yes, eighteen, black bags laid out in front of her as she put luggage tags on each of them. Her family with 4 children, her husband and aunts, uncles and cousins flew to Israel to visit hubby's mother who is not doing well. I can't imagine the stress this woman was under trying to coordinate everything for the flight and visit.

Get a good night's rest, relax, eat right, stay hydrated, and take care of yourself, if Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! Tell yourself you can only do so much, and if you forget something, oh well, you more than likely didn't need it or can buy it...just remember to pack what you need for your period!

And I don't think the airports will be busy on Wednesday, it's the middle of the week and most people have to work the next day so won't be traveling. Have fun and enjoy your vacation : )