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How to Get Ready for a Family Vacation Without Losing Your Mind
By Polly | June 12, 2008
Families spend a lot of time prior to vacation dreaming about all the fun and cool places they will see, but very little time thinking through how much time it will actually take to get everyone packed and out the door. After all packing is no big deal, right? All we have to do is throw some clothes in a suitcase, pack a cooler, grab a couple of travel games for the kids and we’re set.
Unfortunately packing for a family vacation rarely goes as smoothly as we have imagined because in all the excitement of planning the family vacation, parents and kids tend to forget about all the small stuff that needs done before leaving and all the distractions that will inevitably occur. Distractions like kids getting sick with the flu, last minute assignments from your boss, and your son’s baseball team making the playoffs when you didn’t think they had a chance, all make packing for a family vacation that much harder. And then there are all pre-vacation things that need done before leaving. Things like getting the car tuned up, stopping the mail, making pet arrangements, and mowing the grass. All of these things seem to fade from memory as we dream of sandy beaches, but bring us crashing back to reality the day before vacation begins.
Depending on the size of your family, the ages of your kids, the length of your vacation, and the complexity of your life, most families need at least three weeks prior to their vacation to get themselves pulled together and packed. Allowing for a lot of time prior to your vacation helps parents and kids feel less overwhelmed, less anxious, and keep their cool. Use the suggested timeline below to help you get started. Feel free to adjust it to accommodate your family’s specific needs.
Three Weeks Prior to Vacation
Make a pre-vacation checklist of everything that needs done prior to your departure. Be sure to include things like cleaning the house, mowing the lawn, and laundry.
Make and finalize your travel packing checklist.
Make a list of things to buy for your vacation. Be sure to include things like sunscreen, new bathing suits, goggles, and supplies for your first aid kit. Use your pre-vacation checklist and travel packing checklist to help you decide what needs bought.
If you will be eating in on vacation and need to do some cooking, make a meal plan for the week and a grocery list. Be sure to include any snacks you will need along the way.
Schedule any appointments you will need for the car (oil change, tune up, tires), kids (haircuts, immunizations), and pets (boarding). Try and schedule them for the following week rather than waiting until the week you leave.
Two Weeks Prior to Vacation
Buy everything you need for your vacation as well as the non-perishables off your grocery list.
Take care of all the appointments you made in Week 3.
Get your suitcases out of storage and find a central place to put them for easy packing.
Begin scratching things off your pre-vacation checklist.
One Week Prior to Vacation
Finish up things on your pre-vacation checklist
Begin packing. Start by doing a little bit every day with things like toys, swim gear, DVD’s , and clean clothing that doesn’t need worn before vacation begins
Two Days Prior to Vacation
Do laundry
Finish packing clothes and all other non-perishables
Clean the house
Mow the lawn
One Day Prior to Vacation
Pack the car
Finish any last minute things on your pre-vacation checklist
The Day You Leave
Pack the perishables in a cooler and the car
Complete any last minute things on your pre-vacation checklist
Relax and enjoy your vacation!
Related Entries:
He Misses Me
Raves, Craves, and Not So Faves - Let’s Get Ready for Kindergarten
STOP IT! - Keeping Your Cool on Family Vacations
Getting Back Into The Groove After a Family Vacation
Family Travel Goals
Topics: Family Organized, Family Travel Tips |