We just finished another trip with the kids. 10 days visiting hubby’s family in Massachusetts, celebrating his Grandma’s life and saying our final good-byes (our third family death in just over a year). It’s been awhile since we’ve visited up there in the summer time and we really enjoyed our stay, seeing new things and spending time with family and friends.
As much as we love traveling, though, and seeing new things and sharing the world with our children, there is one thing that I don’t really like (anymore). I can handle the flying, the rental car, the car seats (on both the plane and in the rental car), the whining, the tired kids who can’t walk after the flight, the baggage lugging and begging the kids to help. We survive and get where we are going eventually but the part that really irks me is the packing!
I used to LOVE packing. It was like a puzzle that I enjoyed solving. Fitting everything in, using every small space. Especially when we were exploring Europe and had limited baggage space. European carriers, especially the cheaper ones, are very particular about carry-on bags usually only allowing one bag per person and their size allowed is smaller than most small rolling bags. I got really good at getting everything we needed in a few small bags.
Even when moving, I’ve enjoyed packing. When we moved from Oklahoma to Florida, I packed all the boxes myself and loved it (at first, I got over it once I got to the kitchen and had to start wrapping everything!).
But as we’ve added children to our adventures, I’ve lost my passion for packing. When Honeybun was a baby, it was fine. I still enjoyed it though it became more stressful to make sure we had everything we needed. When Sugarplum joined in I became indifferent, I no longer really enjoyed it but it didn’t bother me. Now with Doodle, I can say I hate it. I’m to the point where I just want to say “screw it!” and just throw everything in the suitcase but the neurotic packer in me says “No! It needs to be done right.”
Ensue inner struggle (an angry mommy) and piles of stuff that needs to be neatly packed away:
While I could give you my “must pack it list” I think it’s different for every family so here’s my advice for what to bring: If you can’t live without it at home, bring it with you (plus an extra).
What I do want to share though, it a few tips for packing when traveling with kids that I’ve learned over the years.
Pack small items like socks and undies inside of little shoes and then pack little shoes in bigger shoes. It’s a great space saver and also keeps shoes from getting crushed and deformed!
If you are limited on suitcase space and are planning on buying souvenirs, clothes, etc. while on your trip, DON’T plan to buy bsgy diapers, food etc. there as well, bring it with you. The space the diapers and food takes up when you go will be free at the end of the trip for your new things.
Bought something fragile? Wrap it in your extra diapers, they provide better protection than clothes (other than maybe sweaters), are form fitting and can be secured around the item.
If you don’t have enough extra diapers, use your fluffiest clothing items. Make sure to stuff the inside of hallow items and handles on things like coffee mugs to protect them from getting crushed.
Always take an extra set of clothes in your carry-on for every child (you never know when you might have a diaper blow-out, potty accident or apple juice spill!) plus and extra top for each adult if you have a baby who spits up! Make sure you bring a complete set of clothes for each child including underwear, socks and even shoes for potty training toddlers. I like to make little “bundles” for each kid so if i need it, I can just grab the right bundle and go! Undies and socks in the pants pockets, roll the shirt insdie the pants then fold over the top like you do socks!
