How are you at this ominous task? I’m pathetic. We’re going away for 6 days to grandma’s house, 12 hours away. And I know I’m really bad and have made a big effort not to over pack…yet my trunk is already half full lol. I go around the house looking at everything and say to myself well I might really need this and I’m sure I’ll probably need that. It might get hot so pack summer clothes, it might get cold so pack warm clothes too. They’ll need books for bedtime stories, they need their snuggly animal friends…extra undies in case of accidents…
sheesh, when I was younger I’d just pack bathing suit, shorts and bath essentials, a carry-on will do just fine. Now I need an 18 wheeler.
i used to be very inefficient at packing but then travelling weekly for work helped me get better, now i am usually efficient at packing which helps because da woman is not. .
the key is things you can mix and match, so similar or complemntary colours, pieces that can work with other pieces.
some people think in terms of outfits, I now think more in terms of interchangeable pieces.
GQ actually has something on this topic almost every year or so where they would go into details of how you can. key is plain and not patterned (or small patterns really) especially for the foundational pieces e.g. trousers or jackets, textures need to work with each other, and also 2 or maybe three main colours e.g. blue, white, tan or black, grey, white, or blue, grey, white. versatility is the key i.e. do i really need to pack dressy shoes, casual shoes, boots, sandals, etc or could I do with 2 pairs..that will work with casual and dressy occasions.
oh crap this is in parenting so its less about mine and more about kids stuff..
for kids clothes, I am a proponent of just running a load of laundry and taking less, i dont often win that discussion though :) I still believe in versatile pieces, da woman still thinks outfits. we are getting closer to a happy medium though.
This is my specialty considering that we travel sooooooooooooooooooooooo much :D
So looks like you are going on a road trip. Here's what you do then. For 6 days, you need 4 outfits per kid. 1-2 extra T shirts. (If you had girls it would be different story!) Depending on the weather, socks or not. Grandma's home will be equipped with enough toilet supplies so carry only what is specific to your needs. Medicines (prescriptions) and homework :D! Only one stuffed toy per child.
For the journey, you need to have a cooler with water, juice, cold drinks, easy snacks (cheese & crackers, cheese sticks, potato chips, fruit, cereal bars). You can stop for food but having snacks on board saves time. Make sure they use the restroom whenever you stop for food even if they don't wanna go yet. Have mini trash bags, a large box of disinfectant wipes and kids activities. That's it!
I can relate Mama - grandma is about 10 hours away for us too.
I think since it is grandma house - it is a bit easier. I ask my mom and dad to run to meijeirs/walmart and grab things like baby shampoo/food/medicines for the kids etc
I have also left toys and other things in my mom's basement so that I don't have to lug them back and forth.
I would dress the kids in layers so if the weather gets hot ot cold you adjust.
I hate packing.. i start out with a carry on and end up with 23 kg's everytime.. even if i have to go away for the weekend.. its always the "what if" that gets me and i pack extra stuff.. next time i pack im referring back to niksik and njgals' recommendations!!
I can relate Mama - grandma is about 10 hours away for us too.
I think since it is grandma house - it is a bit easier. I ask my mom and dad to run to meijeirs/walmart and grab things like baby shampoo/food/medicines for the kids etc
I have also left toys and other things in my mom's basement so that I don't have to lug them back and forth.
I would dress the kids in layers so if the weather gets hot ot cold you adjust.
