What is wrong with me?

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

My son and I leave for the UK is two weeks, and I am sick with worry.

I am worried about:

1. Not doing a good job planning our trip (I haven't done much planning yet and have no idea what we will be doing from day to day...usually I am a huge planner) especially while in Scotland.

2. Getting lost in Scotland.

3. Getting into an accident in Scotland while driving.

4. Not being able to get my cel phone to work properly and not being able to find a place to put money on it.

5. My son not having a good time.

6. Missing my girls and having them be okay without me for two weeks.

7. Something else I haven't even thought of yet...

What is the matter with me?

Sharon

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Sharon,
While we have never met, I feel I know you in a way, and trust me, there is NOTHING wrong with you!

Try this: deep breathing, and then sit and just focus on what an adventure it can be, and that there are many kind people on that trip who you will meet and they will help you every step of the way. You can plan, but with less planning, you open up a whole new world! And while you will miss the girls, think of what a great bonding experience awaits you and your son on the trip!

I wish you all the best!

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Sounds like you could be me, or I'm guessing any one of many of us....

Here's what I think in terms of your list:

1. You don't need to do so much planning ahead. Sometimes it's more fun to 'go with the flow,' and get tips from locals once you get there. Relaxing a little isn't the end of the world, either.

2. You might get lost, so what??? It'll be an adventure.

3. I suppose you might have an accident, but that's hardly likely. Much worse driving in New Jersey than most places

4. In all likelihood you will figure out your cell phone. If you don't, your family will have your itinerary and numbers at the resorts in case of emergency. And you can always find an internet cafe somewhere if you need it. And what did people do before all this high-tech stuff, anyway?

5. Your son will have a great time, you are taking him to great cool places and he will have you all to himself. That will be special indeed.

6. You will miss your girls, but it is good for all of you. When we first went away without the kids and I was a basket case, my husband said that what I was really afraid of was that they Would be ok without me...

So take a deep breath
(and anything helpful in the medicine cabinet )
and start thinking about the fun you will have!!!
What are you bringing to read on the plane?

Avery

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Sharon,

Your a mom...worrying is what moms do best.

It will all work out in the end....The girls will be fine, and you and your son will have a wonderful vacation, try to relax.....

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

You are not alone. We leae for Italy in 4 weeks. I just now booked a hotel for my last days in Venice but I have not yet booked my first 3 days to Sicily. I am working on the car rentals and am trying to get over the sticker Shock.

[nortonski Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close nortonski]

Sharon,

As I work in Aberdeen (Scotland) for around a week every month, I understand your fears!!!

If at any time you get lost, quite simply head South, you'll find we're far friendlier... & the weather tends to be a little better...some of the time...

If you have an accident, well what more can I say, as long as you've not had more than a wee dram &, dont try the funnies like "och e tha noo" or that "Scotch mist came out of no where honestly officer", (you see the problem is that many Scottish natives have little sense of humour) - apart from that you should be fine...

Regarding the cell phones...if you get a signal in the highlands you're lucky, so take 2 yoghurt pots & a very long piece of string, or smoke signals may work...if the winds not too strong & of course it's not raining...

Apart from these lil pearls you're on your own lass...

Now on a serious note (& apologies for all the folk I've offended in my jest above ):

In all honesty, Scotlands a lovely place, the folk are great & the scenery's to die for!!!

Your cell phone should work & if not buy a sim card for about £5-10 for pay as you go, of course there will be areas that you wont get a signal, but you wont need to drive far to get it again.

If you get lost easily then how about hiring a Tom-Tom GPS, readily available & possible to hire also from the car rentals folk..

No need to worry, just enjoy yourselves & take plenty of pictures.

Lee

[susieq Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close susieq]

Relax and enjoy .......

Sharon,

Looks like you've already gotten some real good advise. There's not really much more I can add, except that some of the best adventures are spontaneous. How would you feel if you got over there and saw something you REALLY wanted to do, but couldn't squeeze it in?? Just relax and enjoy yourselves ~~ it's the trip of a lifetime!! Soon you'll be saying, What was I so worried about? Have a great one!!

Sue

Oh, and don't forget to check in later and tell us what a wonderful trip!!

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Well I started to write all that is wrong with you and after 72 hours of continuous writing I have a novel that I am submitting for publication in the morning.
Seriously, stop thinking about it all and just relax. If you get lost in Scotland you will cultivate a taste for single malt.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Just be very careful with driving and don't do it when you are too tired. You are very brave. I have driven all through Europe but never in Great Britain and I lived there for a year. Getting lost is no problem because you speak the language and can ask.

Enjoy and leave something to chance because you never know what may present itself. We like the idea of leaving lots of time open to make plans on the spur of the moment and only plan the trips we do not want to miss for anything. You may end up spending time with new friends as this happens so often and locals come up with some very good suggestions too.

Have a great trip with your son.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Sharon, relax, you will have to have something to write about when you get back!!. Very rarely, do I take a trip that I don't get lost. Kelli laughs and says it wouldn't be a vacation if I didn't get lost. We meet lots of friendly people that way. Save yourself some spontaneous time, you will be glad you did. And nothing will top this when your son says, Mom, I have really enjoyed being with you, just the two of us!! (That's what Kelli said on our trip to Canada. Have fun, and remember if something goes wrong, just call it an adventure. Shaggy

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

My son and I leave for the UK is two weeks, and I am sick with worry.

I am worried about:

5. My son not having a good time.

6. Missing my girls and having them be okay without me for two weeks.

What is the matter with me?

Sharon

ummm nothing.

I focus on 5 & 6 because they stood out with me.

I think your son will truly enjoy his alone time with you. From my understanding of your situation this is something he rarely gets and to have you to himself in a far away place will be magical. He will remember these weeks forever even if you get stuck in a bog.

Of COURSE you will miss your girls. I would worry about you if you didn't. I guess them being just fine without you could be worrying you. I'm sure they will miss you just as much and appreciate you all the more when you return. "Just Fine" is relative. They will eat and sleep and be cared for but I'm sure they will be ecstatic at your return.

Hang in there Sharon. Do whatever strikes the 2 of you. Have a memorable trip with your boy.

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

1. Not doing a good job planning our trip (I haven't done much planning yet and have no idea what we will be doing from day to day...usually I am a huge planner) especially while in Scotland

It sounds to me like you’re a season traveler and have planned many trips.

I might be wrong, but I think you have books on Scotland that you pick up thumb though and put down, because your mind was board with planning and told you I know what I am doing, I done this a lot.

Now it’s almost time to go to Scotland and your mind is freaking out because nothing is planed, but your subconscious feelings is telling you every thing is going be O K. I have done this a lot. No problem. It feels different, some thing your not use to, but you know you can handle it.

Congregations Sharon, you have graduated to the next level of traveling.
It feels different but it shows you have higher self confidence in self.


2. Getting lost in Scotland.

You probably will get lost in Scotland for a half a day or just a few hours but nothing major, that way you will see something new and exciting. That you can come home and tell us all about it.


3. Getting into an accident in Scotland while driving.

That is very slim, just don’t be in a hurry and you should be OK.


4. Not being able to get my cel phone to work properly and not being able to find a place to put money on it.

You know that is going to happen, it happens here in the USA. You just find someone with a phone that works if there a problem. That’s what you would do here at home.


5. My son not having a good time.

Your son will have a great time, he will come back home and tell all is friends about the fun he had and how they missed out. No worries there.


6. Missing my girls and having them be okay without me for two weeks.

Your a mom...of cores your going to miss your kids. But you know deep down they will be OK. And you can awes e-mall them.


7. Something else I haven't even thought of yet...

What did I lave behind that I think I will need, but never use.


Every one is a little nerves before a long trip.

You’re not alone

[chemteach Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close chemteach]

Sharon,
Try the mantra "we're going to have a great time, we're going to have a great time."

In all seriousness, the few weeks leading up to big trips are always a bit nerve-wracking because people have such high expectations and then worry that it won't be all that was expected. This trip is an amazing opportunity for you and your son. I can't wait to hear all about it on TS4Ms!!

Those GPS systems are pretty cool. We just used one in Vermont and it did help us not worry so much about getting lost. The cell phone thing - people didn't have cells years ago and they had wonderful trips - they didn't have to worry about their cells not working... There are always different ways to get in touch. Missing your girls - you will! Who wouldn't! But you will also be enjoying your son and the experience of travelling with him will help ease the "missing your girls" feelings.

There's so much to do and see - you can always take it a day at at time.

Enjoy the trip!!!

Edye

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

Thank you for the votes of confidence all....even you Tony...lol....

It's funny, when I was 19 I backpacked through Europe with not a care in the world. I guess having a child with you adds a different perspective...and of course, leaving children at home does that as well.

Ken...I hadn't bought any guidebooks at all and don't anticipate we will be bringing a laptop (we don't actually have a laptop and even if we did, there is no access from either timeshare) but today I went to the bookstore and bought five guidebooks, including "London for Dummies" and "Scotland for Dummies". I probably went overboard on the guidebooks but what the heck...at least my airfare is free!

Thanks so much again all.

And, if anyone has some really good suggestions for "don't miss" activities in London and around Glasgow...please do let me know!

Sharon

P.S. Edye, I'm considering getting the GPS. I've never used one. Do you have to have the address of where you are going, or can you just type in things like "Stirling Castle"?

[mpizza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mpizza]

Mommy/Son Trip

Sharon,

There is absolutely nothing wrong with you, you're just being a MOM. Since I'm the planner in the family, I always worry that something will be messed up. Most vacations never turn out exactly as planned, but are still be wonderful.

As a Mom of a 14-year old son, I can guarantee he'll be moody some of the time, but you'll have so many shared special memories.

I have a two older girls and when I first took a trip without them, they said it was the best vacation they every had! Someone once told me, "A mother's job is not to have someone to lean on, but to make leaning unnecessary" or something to that effect. It will be wonderful for the girls to realize they are independent persons and can do alot of what Mom does, only better. And I bet they'll be asking when you're taking them on a Mommy/Daughter Trip.

Have a wonderful time, and make sure you take alot of pictures and keep a trip log for all of us to vicariously live thru your adventure.

Maria