Travel with kids is hard.
Doing anything is difficult when you add in an extra personality, unique needs, and a break in normal routine. Disruptions and roadblocks happen all the time but especially on a trip.
Knowing yourself, how to prepare well, and what is needed for this trip will make travel easier. It can be so much more enjoyable! I used to dread all of the tasks, the uncertainty, and the frustration. Then I discovered that I was fighting against myself and making it way more difficult than it needed to be. Here are some things to think about.
Outline:
- What is your trip packing style?
- The Big Packing Day vs. Slowly Packing
- What are your constraints?
- Some packing areas to think about.
What is your trip packing style?
What is the way that you like to pack for a trip? What does your schedule allow you to do?
Do you like to slowly pack throughout the week thinking of different things that you need in adding them to the suitcases or organized piles?
Or do you like to do everything all at once?
Do you look at lists that you have gathered? Or do you just remember off the top of your head everything that you will need?
There is value in knowing what your packing style is so that you are going with your natural tendencies and not fighting against yourself.
And you are allowed to change your mind. You can do things differently than your parents did growing up or what you did before kids came along.
The Big Packing Day vs. Slowly Packing:
I recently adjusted my packing style to The Big Packing Day. Because I’m so busy throughout the week I don’t want to spend time packing slowly. So I pack all in one day right before we leave for the trip.Packing on one day is a different experience then slowly adding things to a pile throughout the week.
For me to successfully pack in one day I need 3 major pieces completed before packing day.
- Meal planning for the trip and adding the snacks and ingredients to the grocery list.
- My normal grocery shopping trip + vacation food items.
- To get caught up on laundry so we have clean clothes to pack.
Making lists throughout the week can be very different than spending time packing.
Slow packing was the way that I had been taught to pack for trips. It was the example from my parents and family. There is an idea that packing for the trip can add to the fun of the trip. Sometimes this works for me.
Slow packing is more effective when I focus on one area at a time. When I try to do all of the categories all at once I don’t make forward movement in any area. I just do small amounts everywhere and wear myself out.
Slow packing is more effective when I focus on one category that needs to be planned, organized, and packed. I do my nightly routine and then I pack everything I need on our trip for that routine. I help the kids clean up their toy area and then I pick out the favorites that we want to take on our weekend trip. I also find I can be more effective when I am focused.
First, what are your constraints?
How are you getting to your vacation destination?
Where are you staying when you get there?
How much space will you have and what activities will you participate in?
The location and types of plans you have will change how you pack.
Pay attention to these details and play out the trip in your head. What will you want or need?
Packing Areas:
There are basics that we all use or wear no matter where we are or what we are doing. But there are so many pieces that can change based on location or activities. I like to have what I need and what my family needs. It saves me money, time and energy while I am on vacation. I set myself up for more relaxing downtime when I am not scrambling to find a swimsuit, or buy a specific kind of shoes.
Packing Areas to think about:
- Clothing & toiletries
- extra shoes & an extra set of clothes
- Food – meal planning
- Food – car foods, snacks and drinks
- Stuff needed – What is unique about this trip?
- Pet needs: dog leashes, dog food, dog toys, bowls, dog poop bags, extra water
- Activities for the kids – games, toys, books, activity books, loveys & special blankets.
- Travel activities – how much time will you be in the car and what will the drive be like?
- Medicine & first aide – Where are you going? How far away is the nearest pharmacy?
- Will it be easy or cost-effective to purchase things that you need?
- Weather related – Will you be out in the heat?
- My Hot weather packing list:
- swimsuits
- flip flops, water shoes and/or hiking boots
- Extra towels
- Metal water bottles with a lot of ice water
- Sunscreen
- Hats (for the kids and for me)
- fans for the RV
- Squirt guns
- Popsicles or ice cream
- Meal planning: grilling food, pasta salad, trail mix, deli sandwiches
- My Hot weather packing list:
- Will you be at the beach? Or on long walks where you need water bottles and snacks?
Whatever your plans are for this summer, I hope that your travels are enjoyable!
I believe that travel pushes us towards growth with the added benefits of adventure.
It is an experience where your mindset can change, your routines are turned upside down, and your patience is tested in new ways. This is good for all of us. As parents (and even kids too) we can learn to stretch and grow in flexibility. We can get rest and relaxation together as a family. We can try new things and have new experiences.
I know that I am just barely scratching the surface of this very complicated topic. But, I hope that it sparked some thoughts about your planning. I would love to hear from you what you think about when packing for a trip!
You can do this! You can plan for your summer trip in a way that makes sense for where you are going and what your family needs. It might be overwhelming and complicated but you got this!
Safe Travels,
April
For more Summer Planning ideas see this article! = My Summer Planning
