Make packing for your family vacation less hectic

Let's face it, most parents hate packing and unpacking for their family vacation getaway. True? Of course true! This frustration usually comes when you can't find that pair of shorts that matches the shirt in hand. When you are on the road, kids (and you!) have a tendancy to misplace things causing you to either forget that item in your hotel or find it at the last moment and then have to find a nook or cranny to fit it in. What a hassle! To top it all off, usually one kid wants to pack every piece of clothing and the kitchen sink!

One way to solve your packing issues, could be to buy a suitcase or backpack for each of your children and teach them how to pack it themselves. Make it clear to them that this case is theirs and when it is full, that is it-no more room. Be adamant about this and don't let them sneak stuff into their siblings case. You can use this time to teach them how to properly pack their clothes, books, cd's, mp3's etc. This will help them learn proper packing techniques and ease the stress on you when you it is time to leave. It will also give them something to do the night before, instead of bouncing off the walls with excitement, stressing you out while you are doing your last minute packing.

One way to make the above process go smoother, would be to help them arrange their clothes in order. For instance, put socks and underwear together, shirts together, and shorts or pants together. Once done, you can put each pile into ziplock bags, push the air out then close them up and pack them away. Teach your kids this routine and have them practice it a few times, then tell them they are responsible for packing their stuff back up when you are on the road. Of course, you will still have to do a walk through the hotel room to see if they forgot anything, but at least you are helping teach them some responsibility as well.

Special Tip: If you roll the shirts and pants, you will cut down on the wrinkles you would otherwise get by folding.

Bring along a spare ziplock bag and have your kids pack the dirty socks and underwear in there, cutting down on smelly clothes. Since clothes are relatively light, you may want to consider mailing your dirty clothes bag back home-if you are buying a lot of trinkets and running out on space.

When you are travelling by air, you should place bright colored straps around each of your bags and then make each child responsible for spotting one or two bags when you go to claim them at the baggage carrousel.

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