One week before, I get down our very large suitcase and start the process. Everyone is told what they need to bring down and place on top of the suitcase. (of course when they were little it wasn’t this way, but doing it early will still prevent it from getting chaotic). The countdown begins:
- Day 7: Bring down your swimsuits, towels, coverups. Pack in the front compartment of the suitcase, so they can be accessed as soon as we get there.
- Day 6: Pack my beach bag If there are items that need to still go in, I simply put a post it note on top.
- Day 5: Bring down your sweatshirt/jeans/sweatpants in case it’s cold at night, These are the heaviest and I put them at the bottom of the suitcase. I leave Connor and my sweatshirts out for the car ride.
- Day 4 : Activity Day (anything you might need for what you plan on doing (running shoes, bikes, flashlights, games, yoga mat and of course, photography equipment), I had the kids make a list of things (they aren’t into the list thing) that they want to bring for their activities. I don’t check over it, they need to be responsible. These items will not need to be accessed until we are there. The ones that I can, I place in the cargo space under the trunk to save room. The others are on a post it note, so I remember to put them in the car.
- Day3: Pack the house/food items that don’t need to be in the cooler. Make sure the ice packs are in the freezer.
- Day 2: Everyone picks out what they are wearing to travel. Have kids pick and pack their clothes.
- 1 day: pack our clothes.
I use packing cubes for each person’s clothes (minus the beach and heavier clothes) and then when we get there, I can just give each person their own parcel to unpack themselves.
They day we leave, we pack the toiletries, cooler for traveling/snacks and drinks and put everything in the car.
Also, I have learned that I always overpack. I do several loads of laundry at the beach house and really don’t need to take that much clothing. At the beach, it’s all casual.
The last day, I like to make sure everything is clean and orderly at my home. There isn’t anything worse than coming home from a relaxing vacation to clutter and chaos from before you left. Planning and packing allows you to have time to do that, so that when you come home, the chaos is at a minimum and you can continue to enjoy that vacation feeling.
packing
Next up: Part 3: Making it fun