The 80-20 Rule of Holidays

Our holiday was 80% amazing, and 20% hot-sticky-cross-cranky. Or at specific moments, 80% hot-sticky-cross-cranky and 20% I’m a parent, get me out of here.

There’s the stuff that can happen on any holiday – even before kids, or when they’re older and a trip away (presumably) becomes a relaxing event. Like when a dying wasp leaves its mark or the weather fluffs its lines or Sat Nav goes off in a huff, leaving you stranded on unfamiliar motorways, wishing for a good old-fashioned paper map.

Then there’s the stuff that’s small-child-specific.

This is where the 80-20 rule really comes in – where 80% of the outcomes are determined by 20% of the family members. Because you’re only as strong as your weakest link. So your lie-in is only as late as your earliest riser, and your night out is only as long as your least able night-owl.

My weakest link comes disguised as a not-so-weak rampaging three-year-old. On any given night, whether he’s in a restaurant, a playground, or sitting in an amphitheatre watching a variety show, he appears outwardly like someone who can party all night. Three times we fell for it, and stayed out till 11. Three times we were nearly broken the following day, by a querulous, enraged barrel of hot upset.

And it’s not just the nights out that had to be curtailed by (eventual) good sense. Daytime got a look-in too. More than a look-in.

Last year, our smallest boy spent the holiday locking himself into rooms, spilling drinks, and wandering off from the mobile home without seeing the need to tell anyone where he was going.

This year, he was still locking himself into rooms, spilling drinks, and wandering off from the mobile home. He was also getting into pools that were far too deep for a three-year-old non-swimmer, disappearing in the middle of restaurant meals to chase pigeons, insisting on pouring his own drinks then surprised when they spilled, completely ignoring his parents’ every request, and his favourite pastime was locking himself into the mobile home any time the rest of us were out on deck (the seriousness of this event was always inversely linked to how much food and water we had outside with us.)

My Clavicle

I just noticed, I have nice Clavicle, Jack said that's just two bones. Ha..man...

Okay, I just finished my two weeks off with Emma. This was a trial period to see if 1: I could take care of her all day without losing my mind and 2: If I would actually enjoy it. Now that the trial is over, I have to say that I am a complete idiot! Why in the world did I not think that I could handle taking care of her? I mean what kind of mom am I that thinks she can't take care of her child full time?She's such a joy to be around although I do have to make sure that I have the next activity in the cue for her. To my defensive, I think I was channeling a week during maternity leave when Emma and I didn't go anywhere the entire week. That was a hard week and I was ready to lose my mind. But what I really needed was to get out of the house! Sometimes it takes my a while to figure things out.


Now the second part of the trial was if I would enjoy it and I don't want to gloat, but it was awesome! Imagine not having to rush to get everything done, laundry, errands, drycleaning, cleaning, etc. I was able to get it all done and not feel stressed or in the ever-never-ending rat race! Plus, I was able to make dinner at night and actually plan what we were having instead of picking the quickest thing in the cupboard. So, it's suffice to say the experiment was successful. Now, I just have to figure out when I'll be staying home with her full-time. The fall has always been my favorite time of year. Keep your fingers crossed for me!