Master Packing For a Family
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Do you have a vacation coming up? Are you tired of the stress that packing for a vacation for your entire family brings? Maybe in the midst of packing for your last family vacation you vowed that you would do it differently next time but have no idea what that really means.
Whatever your reason, if you have a family and are going on vacation at some point, you will want to take some proactive steps to lessen the stress you feel during this time.
It really is all about being proactive. Here’s what you need to know to master packing for a family (from a mom of 8!)
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If you missed a different post on packing for a family without stress, you will want to check that one out, too. I find that one is vital to keeping me sane in leading up to a trip.
To master packing for a family, it really is all about creating a master list of what you need for the people in your family. Sure, needs change and kids grow older, but this is an excellent template with which to start.
For instance, next month I’m taking a business trip and taking along just my oldest and youngest kids. This list will still be my starting point for packing for that trip.
This is my list of itemized things for each person and all the extras. I usually print it off and just write right on it as more specific things pertain to each trip. I often add specific things at the bottom or on the back, but this is the template I start with every time.
While your family dynamic is most likely different from mine, you can modify this list to make it fit your family with minimal effort.
Here is my master list for packing for a family:
Dad:
- shorts/pants
- shirts
- warm weather things
- underwear
- socks
- shoes
Mom:
- shorts/pants
- shirts
- warm weather things
- underwear
- socks
- shoes
Girl 1:
- shorts/pants
- shirts
- warm weather things
- underwear
- socks
- shoes
Girl 2:
- shorts/pants
- shirts
- warm weather things
- underwear
- socks
- shoes
Girl 3:
- shorts/pants
- shirts
- warm weather things
- underwear
- socks
- shoes
Boy 1:
- shorts/pants
- shirts
- warm weather things
- underwear
- socks
- shoes
Boy 2:
- shorts/pants
- shirts
- warm weather things
- underwear
- socks
- shoes
Boy 3:
- shorts/pants
- shirts
- warm weather things
- underwear
- socks
- shoes
Baby:
- onsies
- changing pad
- clothes
- diaper bag
- blankets
- toys
- vitamins
- dishes, cups
- socks
- diapers/wipes
- feeding cape
For everyone:
- toiletries
- shower shoes
- swim shirts
- bathing suits
- extra shirt
General:
- pack n play with sheet
- phone charger
- cameras, camera battery charger
- car stuff
- medicines, first aid, sunscreen
- food for meals, snacks, drinks, coolers
- hair stuff
- makeup
- DVD player and discs
- Kindles and chargers
- schoolwork
- computers, chargers, computer bags
- high chair
- strollers
- baby carriers
- coats
- winter weather stuff
- sippy cups
- pillows
- sleeping bags
- sleeping stuff
- backpacks, extra bags
- soap filled washcloths
- toaster/griddle
- Garmin, cord
This list is always my starting point for any kind of packing. Even if my kids are going for a sleepover, I reference it to make sure that I don’t miss anything even though much of it doesn’t apply. Just like yesterday’s list for packing, I keep it pinned so I can find it, and then I print it off when I need it.
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