Lists, Lists and More Lists

Taking a family vacation can, at times, feel like a real chore – and that’s before you’ve even left the house! Making lists of all the necessities that need to be purchased before you pack, then making a list of everything that needs to be packed and then a list of all those things that don’t get packed until the day of departure. It can leave one feeling as if they are swimming in an endless sea of lists.

One solution is to enlist the help of your older children. Kids as young as 5 can not only pack their bags, but will do so with great enthusiasm. Just give them a list of what to pack – be sure to use clipart pictures for non-readers, and they’ll be packed in no time. Have them set all items on their bed so that you can ensure that only the items on the list are going in their bags.

Older kids can be put to work helping you brainstorm the essential and emergency items that must get packed. Hand them the pen and paper and watch as they write one of those all important pre-trip lists for you!