Post-Traumatic Vacation Disorder

I have spent the last 5 days unpacking, doing laundry, trying to lose the booze and buffet cruise weight, sighing wistfully over memories of the trip, and dealing with a 3-year-old who, it seems, has decided to make us pay for going away without him.

I am not sure if that is exactly the cause of his behavior, but I have had many moments over the last few days where I've wanted to put him up for sale. Or maybe just give him away. Have you ever just looked at your kid and thought: "Boy, I just don't like you right now."? For the most part, Ben is a really well-behaved kid, but he can be obstinate. He's too damn smart sometimes, and he knows how to push our buttons. This week, he's been pushing every one. I have felt completely deflated...wondering, "Are we not doing a good-enough job raising him? Have we not taught him enough about being kind? Are we firm enough? Are we too firm? What the heck is this kid's problem?!?"

Put his behavior together with Aidan's separation anxiety/total whiney/crawling and climbing into everything phase, and well...let's just say I have not yet gotten over my vacation nostalgia!

Now we are packed for a weekend vacation with my whole family. The four of us, plus my sister's family and my parents will all be spending a couple of days at a hotel on the beach. We have sold this to Ben as our Family Vacation (in contrast to our Mommy & Daddy Vacation). On one hand, I'm excited. On the other, I'm weary. Aidan is a light sleeper, so I don't know what to expect overnight, one big happy family in one room. He can be pretty high-maintenance at times. And Ben's behavior this week has left me exhausted and discouraged. I have a feeling this weekend will do little to cure my melancholia...