. Make Traveling Easier Every Time

Enjoy this short video about preparing for traveling…

This season is a time for traveling for almost every one of us.  Our travels may just be for the day or they may span several days or even weeks.  How do you travel right?  May I suggest three helps which can make a great deal of difference.

Our Trip List

First, begin today by entitling a sheet of paper, “OurTrip” which you keep close at hand as you go about your regular daily routine.  Divide the paper into columns such as:  “Dad”, “Mom”, “Teenagers”, “Children”, “Baby”, “Overnight”.  As ideas of items which you need to pack come to you, add them to the list in the appropriate column.  You will be surprised how many ideas will come and go through your head.  If they are safely recorded, they will be there when the actual day of packing arrives.

Travel Lightly

Second, remember to travel lightly.  Most families pack about two times more than they need.  Instead, as you go down your list, think of items that will be useful in many situations.  Instead of taking five different outfits, think of mixing and matching fewer pieces to meet your needs.  In other words, pick and choose articles of clothing which will work in many situations and leave the rest home.  You are not moving, you are just traveling!

Train Children

Teach your children in the same way.  Using your own master “Our Trip” list, make up a smaller one for each of them with specific details.  Limit the number of items they can take.  For instance their list for a three-day trip might indicate (in addition to the clothes they will be wearing):  1 pair of shoes, 2 shirts, 1 pair of pants, 2 sets of underwear, 2 pairs of socks, one jacket.  If you don’t have a suitcase for each of the children, specify two or more children to share one suitcase (usually children that can get along VERY well).

Use Clear Ziploc Bags

Another idea is to have each child put their items in a clear plastic bag labeled with their name.  Store this bag in a larger suitcase along with other children’s items until you reach your destination.  Anything you can do to keep things orderly from the beginning will help keep them that way all through the trip.  Some families even skip the suitcases all together and use copy paper boxes as suitcases because these boxes fit nicely stacked in the rear of their vehicle.  Each box has the name of two children on it (on all four sides) so retrieval is easy and convenient.

The Motel Suitcase

Have family members gather their toiletries (along with their pajamas and one set of underwear) on the day of the trip, put them in a ziploc bag labeled with their name, and then put the ziploc bag in the “Overnight” suitcase.  Having these items all in one place will save the sanity of many a homemaker.

Permanent Trip List

Third, when you have come home from your trip, consider all that you have learned.  What did you take that was absolutely useless?  What did you need more of and had to buy along the way because you didn’t pack it?  Transfer this more complete and helpful “Our Trip” list to a permanent Master “Our Trip” List which you keep in a safe place.  You will be able to use it over and over again.

A Better Trip Next Time

Each and every time you begin to pack, pull out your Master “Our Trip” list and use it as a basis for the new trip’s packing.  You will have occasion to add a bit here or there to meet the needs of this particular adventure, but for the most part, you will be able to rely on the permanent Master “Our Trip” List to make sure and confident decisions.

Good luck, travel safely, and well…. I hope it is a good trip!

Find more helpful ideas in “House of Order” Handbook.