Monday 4 March 2013

Spontaneity

I like to think I'm flexible and adaptable. I've discovered that with three kids, I am not.

Due to some upheavals, my partner decided we needed to go on a holiday, it had to be overseas and had to be next week (he has a boys weekend coming up so had to be back for that).

There are rules about proximity to purchasing an international air ticket and the departure date, so the whole thing had to be organised in 24 hours.

Now I know what you're thinking, who wouldn't be happy about a holiday? The problem is, we are going away in April, so I really didn't want to spend the money. Finding 5 cheap airfares to anywhere was the first mission. Even Bali was starting at $4000 for the airfares alone.

Then, once availability was found and the trip booked, came the cancelling everything else. I had a class to teach (thus replacement to organise), tickets to a show, a lunch. My kids had lessons to cancel, schools to notify (and high school does not take kindly to absences), and assignments to get done prior to leaving.

The whole process was time consuming and my stress levels shot through the roof in the course of time, and I'm not proud to say a little resentment also kicked in. I'm now out the other side but with the realisation I'm not that flexible. I also learnt it's probably not so much that kids need routine, but that we, the parents, need the routine to keep the balls in the air and things running smoothly...I'm not quite the person I thought I was.

So I'm off the air a few days & up in the air for a few hours...and you'll be glad to know, now that all the stressful crappy organising is sorted, I'm beginning to look forward to the break.

Linking up with the lovely Jess for IBOT - join the entertainment here

23 comments:

  1. wow!!!! I wish my husband was that spontanious!! We have a trip planned for September.. its definitely going to be a last minute save up.. as so many things are between now and my landing in Paris in 6 months!!!

    Have a fabulous holiday!! xx

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  2. OOOOOOH, Paris! The best city in the world (for kids too!) Remind me closer to the time and I'll email you the best (and weirdest) interactive museum....I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Paris.

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  3. Sounds wonderful! where are you off to??
    I'm practicing my "Aloha" - as I leave for a trip today too
    Hope you relax, indulge and have an incredible time xx
    Josefa from #teamIBOT

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    1. I am so jealous! I really want to go to Big Island to watch the lava fall into the ocean!! I couldn't get the flights to work time wise for such a short trip. Fiji for us - lovely once my breakdown is over...;)

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  4. That would have rocked the world of even the most flexible, let alone 3 kids. You're a success for just making it on to that plane! Congratulations. Enjoy the 'free' refreshments. You've earnt them

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    1. Alas budget airline so no free anything, I'm afraid! But short flight so no worries!

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  5. HA I'm with you - I would have cracked it .. probably made him organise it all if he wanted it to happen! Not so good at spontaneity these days, even though I pretend I'm really dying to just drive up the freeway, Thelma-style. Have an awesome time, once you buckle that seatbelt and can properly relax!

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    1. I now just have to pack books and weigh the bag (again on a budget!!) then I'm free & clear....phew! I thought I was all Thelma & Louise but now realise I'm just a stick in the mud...

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  6. Have a great time. I hope all your troubles evaporate mid-air. Enjoy!

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  7. That made me smile, I used to be spontaneous but now the idea or organising a holiday in that much time would make me feel sick. Don't worry it will all be worth it in the end! Enjoy the holiday!

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    1. It did make me feel sick!! But you're right, it will be worth it.

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  8. I think you handled that exceptionally well from the sounds of it. I would have been torn between frustration at all the disruption and not wanting to be a party-pooper.
    Hope you have a wonderful time - you've definitely earned it :)

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  9. The intellectual side of not wanting to be a partypooper was the thing that got me over the line. 90 percent of me didn't want to do it at all. 10 percent of me didn't want to be that person...

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  10. Oh how awesome!! Apart from all the stress before hand of course! Hope it was worth it, and you end up having a wonderful trip xxx

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    1. We will & thanks - other than the 5.45 trip to the airport, we are free & clear now...

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  11. I remember those days of spontaneity...sigh!
    And I was never feel I'm on holiday until I'm actually on the plane!
    Not long to go now for you! Have fun! The stress will be worth it!

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    1. It will be worth it, and hopefully we have fun, rainy weather aside...have enough cocktails and I won't even notice...

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  12. Ok, so this is going to sound incredibly cynical because it's in writing and the written word is easy to misinterpret. So consider this 'sarcastic font', consider me saying this with a cheesey grin and a giggle...
    Oh gee, such a hard life you live, don't know how you manage! An impromptu international trip - talk about a first world problem!
    xx

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  13. I know, I know- and tomorrow I'll be totally agreeing with you. Who complains about a holiday?? (even if we can't really afford it...)

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  14. Enjoy the break away Lydia, maybe a non-planned break away will be just what the family needs?! Have a ball and can I please be your porter?? Em

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  15. Oh gosh I miss being able to be that spontaneous, come home from work on a Friday afternoon and decide to hit Paris or Prague for the weekend, pack and catch the last plane out *sigh* - these days it's not just kids and geography that stop us doing it, hubby's work schedule means we need long periods of notice for anything. I'm super jealous, have fun.

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  16. That's so cool! I'm with you though, I think I'm flexible and spontaneous but there is such a chunk of "process" in me that I think it would do my head in to begin with too.
    Happy holidays!
    Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit

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