We are going on our second ever family trip to the beach this year. Together with another family, we have rented a beach house so the packing part is a little different than packing for a hotel stay. And by different I mean more complicated. Vastly. At least for the organizationally impaired like me.
So while I've been making lists of things to pack, things to cook, things to ask the other mom, things to purchase, things to remember....I decided it would be a good idea to make individual packing lists for each kid so that he or she can A) pack their own *@&^#$ stuff and B) learn to pack effectively for themselves, a skill my husband seems to have bypassed entirely in his upbringing. No offense to my dear mother-in-law, but it is impossible for my husband to travel for work or pleasure to any location without a nearby Walmart, or he will undoubtedly end up hungry, unshaven, unwashed, unkempt, and commando within 24 hours of his arrival.
For the clothes, I plan to have the kids put each of their complete outfits in a gallon size ziplock bag. This will hopefully help them get dressed each morning without wails of, "Moooooooom, I can't find my underwear!!!!!" Hopefully, it will also mean that we have agreed ahead of time on their fashion choices and will avoid at least one potential conflict during our trip. (Not that I usually care if my daughter wears her yellow striped dress with floral turquoise leggings and an orange sweater.)
Of course, I will need to supervise and double-check their efforts, but I am hoping the skills they will learn and the slightly lightened to-do list for myself will make it worthwhile nonetheless. One small note: while some may find it unnecessary, being the mom of a girl who loves shoes and clothes as much as her mama, I created gender specific lists. I'm sure the need for this is something my husband would like to point out as a shortcoming of my upbringing, but this is my blog so too bad. Besides, I'm pretty sure my mom scares him. Hee hee.....
Oh wait, one MORE thing: these lists are for a one week vacation at a house where we can do laundry as necessary. I tried to balance taking as little stuff as we could get away with along with my desire to do as little work as possible, seeing as it's my vacation and all. I included enough clothes to get through most of the week, expecting to do a couple of loads of laundry before heading home again.
Boys' Beach Packing List
_____Casual shorts, t-shirt, underwear
_____Casual shorts, t-shirt, underwear
_____Casual shorts, t-shirt, underwear
_____Casual shorts, t-shirt, underwear
_____Nice shorts, polo or nice t-shirt, underwear
_____Nice shorts, polo, underwear
_____T-shirt (2 extras)
_____Socks (2 pair)
_____Pajamas (shorts--2 pair)
_____Hoodie
_____Swimming trunks (2-3 pair)
_____Swimming shirt (only if you want one)
_____Your beach towel
_____Flip flops
_____Tennis shoes
_____Beach shoes
_____Toothbrush
_____One small stuffed animal
_____Journal and pencil
_____Books to read (4-5)
_____Sunglasses
_____Hat and/or sun visor
Girl's Beach Packing List
_____Shorts/skort, shirt and underwear
_____Shorts/skort, shirt and underwear
_____Shorts, shirt and underwear
_____Shorts, shirt and underwear
_____Capris, shirt and underwear
_____Casual dress and underwear
_____Casual dress and underwear
_____Nicer dress (like for dinner at a restaurant) and underwear
_____Swimming suits (2-3)
_____Cover-up (2)
_____Socks (2 pair)
_____Pajamas or nightgown (2)
_____Hoodie
_____Flip flops
_____Tennis shoes
_____Beach shoes
_____Beach towel
_____Brush and comb
_____Toothbrush
_____Headbands (2-3)
_____Ponytail holders (10-12)
_____Journal, pencils and crayons
_____One small stuffed animal
_____Books (4-5)
_____Sunglasses
_____Hat and/or sun visor
Any glaring omissions? Horribly overpacking? (So says my husband--HA!) Setting my sights way too high? I really think the nine and almost-seven year olds can handle most of this after I show them what I expect. I am fully aware that most of the packing for the five year old will involve her pointing to what she likes and me putting what she really needs into the bag. Oh well. You gotta start somewhere.
So while I've been making lists of things to pack, things to cook, things to ask the other mom, things to purchase, things to remember....I decided it would be a good idea to make individual packing lists for each kid so that he or she can A) pack their own *@&^#$ stuff and B) learn to pack effectively for themselves, a skill my husband seems to have bypassed entirely in his upbringing. No offense to my dear mother-in-law, but it is impossible for my husband to travel for work or pleasure to any location without a nearby Walmart, or he will undoubtedly end up hungry, unshaven, unwashed, unkempt, and commando within 24 hours of his arrival.
For the clothes, I plan to have the kids put each of their complete outfits in a gallon size ziplock bag. This will hopefully help them get dressed each morning without wails of, "Moooooooom, I can't find my underwear!!!!!" Hopefully, it will also mean that we have agreed ahead of time on their fashion choices and will avoid at least one potential conflict during our trip. (Not that I usually care if my daughter wears her yellow striped dress with floral turquoise leggings and an orange sweater.)
Of course, I will need to supervise and double-check their efforts, but I am hoping the skills they will learn and the slightly lightened to-do list for myself will make it worthwhile nonetheless. One small note: while some may find it unnecessary, being the mom of a girl who loves shoes and clothes as much as her mama, I created gender specific lists. I'm sure the need for this is something my husband would like to point out as a shortcoming of my upbringing, but this is my blog so too bad. Besides, I'm pretty sure my mom scares him. Hee hee.....
Oh wait, one MORE thing: these lists are for a one week vacation at a house where we can do laundry as necessary. I tried to balance taking as little stuff as we could get away with along with my desire to do as little work as possible, seeing as it's my vacation and all. I included enough clothes to get through most of the week, expecting to do a couple of loads of laundry before heading home again.
Boys' Beach Packing List
_____Casual shorts, t-shirt, underwear
_____Casual shorts, t-shirt, underwear
_____Casual shorts, t-shirt, underwear
_____Casual shorts, t-shirt, underwear
_____Nice shorts, polo or nice t-shirt, underwear
_____Nice shorts, polo, underwear
_____T-shirt (2 extras)
_____Socks (2 pair)
_____Pajamas (shorts--2 pair)
_____Hoodie
_____Swimming trunks (2-3 pair)
_____Swimming shirt (only if you want one)
_____Your beach towel
_____Flip flops
_____Tennis shoes
_____Beach shoes
_____Toothbrush
_____One small stuffed animal
_____Journal and pencil
_____Books to read (4-5)
_____Sunglasses
_____Hat and/or sun visor
Girl's Beach Packing List
_____Shorts/skort, shirt and underwear
_____Shorts/skort, shirt and underwear
_____Shorts, shirt and underwear
_____Shorts, shirt and underwear
_____Capris, shirt and underwear
_____Casual dress and underwear
_____Casual dress and underwear
_____Nicer dress (like for dinner at a restaurant) and underwear
_____Swimming suits (2-3)
_____Cover-up (2)
_____Socks (2 pair)
_____Pajamas or nightgown (2)
_____Hoodie
_____Flip flops
_____Tennis shoes
_____Beach shoes
_____Beach towel
_____Brush and comb
_____Toothbrush
_____Headbands (2-3)
_____Ponytail holders (10-12)
_____Journal, pencils and crayons
_____One small stuffed animal
_____Books (4-5)
_____Sunglasses
_____Hat and/or sun visor
Any glaring omissions? Horribly overpacking? (So says my husband--HA!) Setting my sights way too high? I really think the nine and almost-seven year olds can handle most of this after I show them what I expect. I am fully aware that most of the packing for the five year old will involve her pointing to what she likes and me putting what she really needs into the bag. Oh well. You gotta start somewhere.
I like this idea, but I am a HUGE Ziploc fan to begin with... I might also include a nylon drawstring laundry bag (available for cheap at Wal-mart?) for each kid so that when the clothes come off pre-laundry, they have somewhere to go. I would hate to get home and discover one sock of every pair lost forever at the vacation rental. Maybe I over-plan, too, but I could totally see a Clothing Bermuda Triangle happening. You can always re-use the new/cheap laundry bags for other stuff, later, too.
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