Next week our foursome will be heading to Sea Grove to hang at the beach for a while. I am extremely excited! Ahhhh, a week at the beach with nothing but sand, surf, my family…and all of the stuff we can possibly cram into the luggage carrier on our Jeep. Vacations are the best!
One of the things I have learned as a mom is that I am not organized enough to pack without the help of a list. Take our overnight trip to Atlanta just last week when I neglected to put the diaper bag in the car! Seriously?? Seriously. Of course, this list will go way beyond the usual “bathing suit, 5 shirts, flip-flops”. I am trying to think of all the stuff mom, dad, and 2 girls will need for a week away (which can reasonably fit into a luggage carrier). So, I thought I’d give you my Top Ten list of essential items for family vacations. Underwear and socks are assumed : )
1. A portable fan or noise machine. We take a small portable fan with us most places and it has been a wonderful help. It drowns out noisy hotel neighbors or the movie mom and dad are watching in the next room when the kids are sleeping.
2. A stocked medicine bag/First Aid kit. I learned my lesson when I had to spend $10 for the world’s smallest bottle of Motrin in a hotel gift shop. Now I go prepared, including the thermometer and the medicine dropper.
3. Snacks and breakfast food. Of course, if you are staying in a place with a kitchen, you will probably be taking lots more. But even hotel rooms will have hot water for instant oatmeal (via the coffee maker) and eating in will save tons of money!
4. The stroller. This is one my husband and I have often debated, just because the thing takes up so much room! You will regret not having it, however, when you hear for the hundredth time, “My feet hurt! I can’t walk anymore!”
5. Books and toys, but don’t overdo it! As a mom, I often forget how entertaining it is just to be in a new place! My kids never need as much “stuff” to entertain them when we are away. However, I always have a bag of favorites (books, paper, crayons, a game or two) for rainy days.
6. Lots of baby wipes. Even if all your children are potty-trained, baby wipes are a must have. They are extremely handy when you have to eat in the car (for the kids AND the car seats) and are great for wiping ice cream off of faces, cleaning hands when there isn’t a bathroom around, etc, etc.
7. Essentials specific to your destination. For our beach trip this will include things like buckets, shovels, sunscreen, hats, beach towels, etc. I know, I know, the gift shop is fun. But I’m cheap, and these things are always much pricier when you wait until you reach your destination to buy them.
8. Camera, video camera, along with extra batteries and/or charger. This one is probably a given, but I’ll put it on my list just to be sure we remember all the parts. Quite frustrating to have your digital camera’s battery die on day 3 and realize you forgot the charger.
9. Your journal (if you keep one). If you regularly write in a journal or diary, be sure to take it! I love recording my girls’ reactions to seeing new things, like Haddy’s first encounter with waves. If you don’t keep one, consider starting one while on vacation!
10. A thankful and positive perspective on the adventure ahead. I’m aware that vacations can be a lot of work for moms. But be mindful of the fact that your attitude greatly affects your children. If you are stressed and high-strung, they will likely respond in kind. So, relax, take a deep breath and enjoy the fact that the Lord allows us to rest, even if the packing list is 3 pages long ; )
What are the items you don’t leave home without?
10. This one is the best reminder as I (you will be there in… about a week Paula!) begin to think ahead to “back-to school” – the new year’s school/home/activity schedule and another opportunity to “begin again” to live a more fruitful, peaceful, contented lifestyle in the midst of our crazy, busy lifestyles here in our suburban mission field.
I am committed to exude (!) peace and contentment to my family as we grow busier and busier and our lives seem to grow less and less peaceful. May we all rest in God’s abundant grace everyday – as we wait for the next week at the beach!
I keep lists on my computer–things to take on trips, to the beach, or to rented condos with “furnished” kitchens. I even list “cash” because I keep a maximum of $20 in my wallet, and will need more for trips. Before packing, I print the list(s) and begin checking off. I’m a forgetful person, and these lists have saved me a lot of trouble.