Best Packing Tips for Parents

Packing up the family for a road trip can be one of the most stressful parts of planning a vacation. As a mom of two, I know that packing for yourself is a lot different than packing for an entire family. Below are my top 3 best packing tips for parents because vacations should be relaxing, not stressful.

Create An Excel Spread Sheet Packing List

If you have to make a packing list once, chances are you will need one again. To simplify packing, keep your packing list in electronic format in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Set the list up so that there is a column to check off items as they are packed, as well as blank cells available to jot down any items you need that are not on the list.

Once you are packed, edit your spreadsheet to include any items that you have added that weren't already on the list and print a copy to use to pack when returning home. This tip tops my list of best packing tips for parents because adding your child's lovey, game system, iPod or cell phone to their list ensures that it won't be forgotten at home. Head those tears off at the pass by creating a solid packing list that can be used to pack on both ends.

Don't Forget the Garbage Bags

Whenever my family and I travel, we stay at hotels with a pool. Inevitably, we have wet clothes which must be brought home. Pack a few extra garbage bags in your luggage for use with wet clothing or fluffy bedding that no longer fits in your suit case because of all of the souvenirs you bought on vacation. Garbage bags are also useful for parents who fear that their child might have an accident on a hotel mattress. Simply spread out the garbage bag and place a hotel towel over top for extra protection. No one wants to have to call the front desk and begin with, "My child had an accident..."

Packing for Overnight Stopovers

If you are planning to stop for the night at a hotel and then resume your road trip the next morning, pack one bag with clothing and toiletries you will need for the next day and leave the rest of your luggage in your car overnight. This tip is especially useful if you are staying at a hotel that offers valet parking where taking too long to sort through your luggage will annoy anyone who drives up behind you. Rather than hauling all of your luggage inside just for a quick overnight stay, plan ahead and pack only the items that you will need overnight in one bag. This packing tip is definitely one parents want to use because if you are stopping late at night, because you will want to change your child into pajamas quickly and get them into bed without waking them up too much.

Sources:
Personal Experience